PROFILED BY DE GROOTS MEDIARun by an Italian mother and daughter duo, Kaliber draws on the experience of the two women in the industry both here and abroad. Claudia, who flew the nest six years ago to study film in Australia, is passionate about films, art, fabulous cocktails and friendly service. Her bar runs smoothly and there is often a band or dj playing in the ambient space. For those in for cocktails and snacks there is an extensive tapas menu, with favourites like bruschetta, garlic prawns and marinated octopus. There are also dishes for the more adventurous like watermelon rolled in dukkah spice with mint yoghurt. The kitchen, run by mother Angela, who joined her daughter here two years ago to open Kaliber, boasts an outstanding Italian repertoire of dishes using ingredients she insists on importing from Italy. A background in agricultural tourism and viticulture assures Angela has Kaliber's kitchen well under control.
The seating outside near the Valley Rotunda is a great set-up for relaxing with a delicious plate and a cocktail to watch the cool Valley crew wandering through the Brunswick Street Mall. There are some great specials too, with a $7 breakfast on offer from 8am, and later in the day a porterhouse steak for $10. The pizza menu is also great, and all dough is made on premises. Beautiful fillet steak filetto aceto balsemico served with green salad and mushrooms is moist and tender, and the paella for two is made fresh to order. Desserts are all traditional and home-made, and all impossible to bypass. Kaliber is one up-and-coming Valley venue, and is a refreshing new glimmer of good food on the Brunswick Street Mall.
Ilana Tulloch, November 2008