Dinner Club 06 July 2009 - Añada - Fitzroy

The Best Posh Eat of 2009 in The Age Cheap Eats Guide.... budgetary concerns hmmm....(decides to take a gamble and plots)

May be Oliver & I, 'cause we can’t bring wine will split the vino separately....these are insights into the constant struggle between light+ perfection + order against the occult +surprise + risk!...(balance & build will you.....I’m...Brunswick...what the f#@k!)

Brunswick was the designated area but after ruffling through cafes that shut at 5 and restaurants that were shut on Mondays......I did the unthinkable....called our most accommodating Presidentress to grant me the option to look elsewhere.

Añada(pronounced Unyaada)is Spanish for new harvest, inspired by the Moorish Spanish cuisine, the stylish Gertrude allowed her to find her gastronomic rhythm!

5 of 6 met outside and enjoyed the projected light show across the road whilst Bethanie and Clair ogled....a sequenced silver singlet, it was :)

We entered into balanced crowd, amber tones, soft music and she had a strong sense of silence about her....like she would express but only through food!

The atmosphere was smooth and comfortable, the linear orientation, elegant neutrals, exposed brick, black + white chalk boards & art that was thoughtful yet I was poking for her personality, her character, as the way she looked she could be anything, what was so Spanish?

Renata's smiling arrival coincided with us taking the first sip of the La Goya Manzanilla Sherry and a phone call on a blackberry. Alvin had a brief and sparkling appearance that evening as he rushed to pay homage to a teacher's life in Dandenong, undoubtedly his was a very sparkling appearance too.

So 5 became 6 and 5 again....the sherry had set the mood.....Oliver and I negotiated, deal done....a bottle of vino....must be chosen....it was.....the Tempranillo (Merques de Velilla) !

Paul hosted us....charming & informed....they all were versed in the tightrope walk of a circus performer to look more relaxed than you are, warmth in their smiles only bettered by their never ending and seemingly intrinsic knowledge of the menu.

Smoked almonds + salted pistachios devoured....we curiously

greeted the shot glass size arrival of the Celeriac soup with black salt....it was a soothing green with a magnanimous froth and a rich....I mean seriously rich texture....taste....we couldn't wait for the tapas to truly start!

Culinary delights were punctured by a vote, a vote for the Gala.....Cuttler & Co...chosen there was a sense of pride in our Presidentress’ eye....she is presiding over arguably the most structured DC attempt! Super!

The winter scarves were out, Renata earthy and elegant in a stripped, Clair golden in a chequered burberry, Beth vivacious in a beautiful vermillion, Oliver retro in jean jacket me predictable in a waist coat....we talked about the thievery of the Tristar and other random events.

Fried aubergine with chilli, mint & labneh, Stuffed calamari with sumac, The pork belly was salty

and sweet, the food exquisite, there was cauliflower, pilav, lentils and some more seafood, in a potato cake.... I can remember the taste but some of the names elude me....the chorisos in dark chocolate devilish!

Food $150, Tempranillo $66, the look on DC-ites' faces priceless! A perfect $30 a head....high fives! the risk pays off...!

Perfection is always the aim - the evening, the food and her silence finally understood she didn't need to shout to be noticed she was a silent temptress and her culinary spells were cast over us!!!!

Culinaryly Yours

Ojas