When La Cantina opened at the Narrabundah shops in February this year, I became an immediate fan. The traditional Italian atmosphere, comprehensive wine list, delicious home style meals and spot on service made it one of my favourite restaurants in Canberra. So when I heard La Cantina had recently unveiled a new summer menu, I couldn’t get there fast enough to try it.
I arrived on one of those hot, Canberra summer nights and found relief in the cool interior, thanks to the famous La Cantina Roman brick walls.
On arrival I was greeted by the Celestino cousins, Paolo and Paolo, both named from the same grandfather. The Celestino family has spent months getting to know the tastes and favourites of their customers. The new summer menu includes dishes that were road tested by regulars before making the final cut; this means that every item on the menu really deserves its place there. But don’t worry, they’ve kept the favourites including; ‘Crumbed Veal’, slow cooked ‘Whole Spatchcock’ and those unforgettable ‘Profiteroles.’
The Celestino family is well known in Canberra for their years of experience in the restaurant industry. Front of House Paolo keeps an immaculate dining room, reflecting a passion for his profession.
“This is my career. I am very passionate about the food, the service and the whole dining experience of the customer,” Paolo said, who has served the likes of the Queen and Princess Mary.
Meanwhile, Manager Paolo has been fine tuning the business to create a restaurant that manages the delicate balance of guiding the tastes of the discerning diner, and moving with new seasonal flavours. The new menu, according to Paolo, does this by introducing a range of lighter summer dishes, with the best fresh, local ingredients.
“It’s about bringing traditional flavours from southern Italy together with fresh Australian ingredients, and the unique, modern ideas of our chefs,” Paolo said.
My partner and I started off with the ‘Capesante,’ pan seared scallops wrapped in prosciutto. These juicy, plump delights were so fresh, and the salty prosciutto complimented the fresh seafood flavours well. We also shared the ‘Frittelle di Zucchini,’ a delicious stack of lightly pan fried zucchini fritters, that were all at once golden, light and yet creamy.
For main course, I chose the ‘Filetto di Manzo,’ a perfectly cooked, tender steak served with a summer vegetable stack of ripe, juicy tomato, eggplant and zucchini and crisp prosciutto. My partner had the ‘Filletto di Maiale,’ a succulent stuffed and rolled pork fillet, that sang with summer herbs.
Adding to the fine food and excellent service are the little details at La Cantina that so many other Canberra restaurants ignore. The full and varied wine list- including a long cellar list, the sorbet to cleanse your palate between meals, the fresh biscotti served with your coffee and the small dishes of chili flakes, salt and pepper on every table – simply makes for a special dining experience.
By this stage we were delightfully full and thought we might have to be rolled out the (beautifully crafted) front door, when the dessert menu was teased in front of us – we were unable to resist. Barring the classic ‘Baccio’ and the selection of fine Italian cheeses, all desserts are freshly made on the premises by the French trained Dessert Chef.
I had the ‘Torte Della Casa,’ a deliciously creamy cheesecake on a sweet crumbly honey nut base, while my partner had the ‘Mousse Di Ciccolatto Bianco,’ a velvety smooth white chocolate mousse with orange liqueur sauce. Both desserts were devilishly good and artfully presented.
Running the risk of a food induced coma, coffee was called for to restore balance, and once again we were in the right place. The Celestino family source, roast and package their own coffee which in the hands of their expert barista, makes the perfect end to a fine meal.
La Cantina is the perfect mix of modern Italian cool, with the traditional family warmth that makes a summer dining experience special. We’ll definitely be back.
