A good friend always knows what to serve you to eat and drink when you drop in and there's a new venue in town that fits the bill.
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Amici, meaning friends in Italian, is a cafe cum deli cum retail space, just off the final light rail stop in the iconic Melbourne Building, with a wide range of offerings for everyone. Whether you're after a morning coffee, as the sun streams in through the east-facing windows, a quick lunch to go, after work drinks or a late-night space to relax (check out the negroni fountain), Amici is well worth a visit.
It's the latest venture from the Lala Hospitality Group (Molly, The Highball Express, Black Market, 88mph and Bleachers Sports Bar) and co-owner Dean Brown said a retail space was always on the team's agenda.
"We wanted something different for the Melbourne Building and something different for our portfolio and when this space started to come together we liked where it took us.
"How can you say meat, cheese, wine, cocktails and not have everyone on board? You don't meet too many people who'll say that's not my scene."
As you enter, there's a deli counter with meats hanging from silver hooks and a display full of cheeses, to the right hand side there's a selection of grab and go dishes, salads, pastas, sandwiches, sauces and desserts. The intimate space seats about 50 guests, grab a seat at the bar, order a wine and the staff will make you up a charcuterie board to suit.
"The charcuterie boards at Molly, Highball and Black Market have been a great success and Amici will take that to the next level," Brown says.
The wine list is extensive, by the glass, bottle, even magnum in some cases, to drink in, or buy to take home. There's a good selection of local wines and a strong focus on Italian and Spanish wines.
In months to come they'll be setting up an online site so people can order ahead, pop in on the way home to pick up platters or pizzas, or bottles of wine. There's also a corporate deal where businesses in the 2601 postcode can pre order and have platters and drinks delivered on a Friday afternoon.
Truffle time
We're going to get a little more excited about truffles in the weeks to come with a special truffle infused edition to celebrate the Canberra Truffle Festival which starts in mid June, but we'll slip this one in now as we love the idea of using food and wine to support a good cause.
At Mount Majura Vineyard, taste a flight of wines matched with truffled brie with $5 from each tasting going to Raw Potential Canberra.
Originally known as Youthcare Canberra, Raw Potential aims to empower disadvantaged youth by providing non-judgemental support and opportunities for a bright future.
Every week Mount Majura will be layering fresh truffles in the brie giving them time to infuse into the cheese, ready for serving on the weekend, served with a flight of three 80ml glasses, including a wine from the cellar. $35pp, the cellar door is open from 10am-5pm. Bookings recommended.
Sage dinner
And while we're going early ... chef Thomas Heinrich has paired up with The Truffle Farm as well for an eight course menu.
Start with oysters with a truffle cream that's based on a Greek recipe from the 4th century BC. And finish with a truffle ice cream with chocolate sable and some truffle brie cheese with quince, almonds and truffle honey. From June 4, $120pp.
Winter Fest
Head to the Polish Club in Turner for Winter Fest, celebrating the Snowy Mountains' heritage of many people in the Polish community.
As the first snow settle on Mt Kosciuszko and the Brindabellas, warm up with an afternoon of barbecued kranskies, pierogi, Polish folk dancing, cake stalls and more.
There will also be a selection of the region's finest Polish and Baltic beers and a most exotic and extensive selection of vodkas. From 1pm, June 9.