LOCATIONLocated in Mount Lawley.
PROFILED BY DEGROOTS MEDIAIn the ultra-cool inner city suburb of Mount Lawley, Beaufort Street is known for its stylish boutiques, cafes and throngs of fashionable locals. Just north of the iconic Astor Theatre on the main drag there’s a new restaurant that’s causing quite a buzz. Cantina 663 is all about seasonal food, which is no surprise with Alex Cuccovia and Michael Forde (aka Michael Forde Catering and Harvest) as owners. Their little European-style eatery smacks of good taste in everything from the smart, rustic interior to the professional, yet warm, waitstaff. If you’re planning to visit for lunch, make it early as this place is packed to the rafters within minutes of midday. To eat, there’s a selection of light options like freshly made panini, char-grilled chorizo with olives and bread, organic green salad and soup. Or if you crave something a little more substantial there’s a couple of pastas, seared flathead and scallops or the rump steak. I know it’s not what you’d usually order for lunch, but I can’t go past the gorgonzola piccante with crostini, house-made fig paste and green apple. What a treat for your tastebuds.
Dinner service at Cantina 663 is when things kick up a notch with the menu taking on a little more gusto. Starting with entrees like jamon serrano and manchego fritters or albondigas (Spanish pork meatballs and almonds), the scene is set for a remarkable meal. Whether you select the potato gnocchi with lamb’s neck, beetroot and preserved lemon yoghurt or the scallops with pork belly, house-made bacon, braised greens, potato and pork broth, you’re guaranteed to get a feel for this talented chef’s capabilities. So how does one top off a sensational meal like this? With a luscious bowl of house-made ice-cream and a drop of Portugese vintage port of course!
Karen Bilsby