Cavallero

Ph: (03) 9417 1377; 300 Smith St, Collingwood 3066

Italian, Bar
Open Tue-Thu 8am-11pm Fri & Sat 8am-1am Sun 9am-4pm; Licensed; MC V

Other published opinions

The Age Dani Valent, 18-9-2007 "The entrees hinted that Cavallero's gnocchi might be ahead of the pack. Lamb kofte were rich, juicy and nicely spiced, offset by a tizzy dill salad and wet, tasty skordalia. Creamy ewe's fetta wrapped in slick, tender eggplant was dressed with citrus segments and dukkah, turning it into a refined and pretty dish. It augured well for the gnocchi. The potato dumplings had real integrity, nestling in the bowl but not collapsing into a floury mass. They were tossed with currants, goat's cheese, spinach and slow-roasted, super-sweet nuggets of pumpkin that nevertheless held their shape. The lot was then laced with mustard seed oil, adding a spiky kick that elevated the dish into memorable territory. Also good was the lamb shank, braised in white wine, green olives and heaps of garlic, and boldly presented with bare white bone spearing from the edge of the plate and a fragrant mound of cinnamon and date cous cous. On the strength of these dishes, Kiwi chef Alric Hansen seems to be a clever wrangler of earthy ingredients. Rootsy flavours are balanced and thus elevated; simple dishes sing."

The Age Michael Harden, 9-4-2007 "There is nothing flashy about Cavallero's cool. In fact, its low-key, even spartan fitout is hard to spot from the street unless you know what you're looking for. White-washed walls are mostly unadorned (aside from a stag's head behind the bar) and the furniture and fittings are dark and neutral. There are a couple of deep booths upholstered in dark green leather, a wooden communal table at the back under an oversized silvery-domed light shade and a wooden bar lined with comfortable upholstered bar stools."