Nigella Lawson can’t get enough of tiny 20-seat restaurant in Melbourne: ‘I could have stayed forever’
British food icon Nigella Lawson is wasting no time getting stuck into Australia’s vibrant dining scene.
The popular food writer is making the most of her time in Melbourne by exploring local restaurants, including Carnation Canteen, which came highly recommended by her Sydney chef friend Oscar Solomon.
The 66-year-old TV host shared a series of mouth-watering pictures of the dishes she enjoyed at the intimate 20-seat restaurant in Fitzroy over the weekend.
‘The idea that I could’ve been in Melbourne and not eaten there is quite giving me a fit of the vapours. But thanks to him, I went and was – and remain – smitten,’ she said.
‘It’s teeny-tiny, and from its small kitchen comes the most beautiful food: simple in the sense that it’s not frilly or fussy, but awe-inspiring in its uncluttered exquisiteness.’
Nigella praised chef and owner Audrey Shaw and her ‘pitch-perfect’ team for making the ‘evening yet more upliftingly memorable’.
She started her dining experience with classic cocktail and oysters.
‘I inhaled a frosty bone-dry vodka martini with beautiful oysters,’ she explained.
Nigella Lawson is wasting no time getting stuck into Australia’s vibrant dining scene. Pictured: Vodka martini with beautiful oysters (left) and smoky and tender octopus Gildas (right)
The popular food writer is making the most of her time in Australia by exploring restaurants
Next on the à la carte menu were smoky and tender octopus Gildas, followed by a plate of vibrant tongues of young courgettes, plus silky blossoms with oregano, lemon, pine nuts and cloud-soft buffalo ricotta.
She then feasted on tender cold roast beef with artichokes, salty shards of parmesan and parsley, followed by ‘two gorgeous charcoal-grilled dishes’.
The first was sardines in a ‘rapturous’ Bloody Mary dressing and just ‘breathtaking, confidently unadorned – just lemon and excellent olive oil – baby snapper, with a zesty salad of tender leaves, asparagus and Dutch Cream potatoes’.
‘And somehow I found room for the chicken, intense in flavour, so tender to the bite, in a dreamy, drinkable n’duja sauce with fava bean and, alongside, a bowl of yoghurt-splodged bitter greens,’ Nigella continued.
‘Yes, I ate a lot, but the freshness of the food and the warmth of the place ensured I left (if reluctantly: I could have stayed forever) light of heart and full of admiration and gratitude.’
The European-style restaurant and wine bar is known for its weekly rotating menu – featuring seasonal dishes of starters, mains and sides.
The TV host shared a series of mouth-watering pictures of the dishes she enjoyed at the intimate 20-seat restaurant in Fitzroy over the weekend. Pictured left: Zucchini with silky blossom, oregano, lemon, pine nuts and cloud-soft buffalo ricotta and tender cold roast beef with artichokes, salty shards of parmesan and parsley. Right: Sardines in Bloody Mary dressing
Left: Baby snapper, with a zesty salad of tender leaves, asparagus and Dutch Cream potatoes; right: Chicken in a n’duja sauce with fava bean and a bowl of yoghurt-splodged bitter greens
The 66-year-old dined at the intimate 20-seat restaurant in Fitzroy, Melbourne
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Diners have raved about the dining spot, which boasts an average rating of 4.2 out of 5 stars.
‘A special little place. We had a wonderful time. I wanted to order everything. The flavours in every dish were outstanding, the produce clearly seasonal and thoughtfully sourced. Carnation Canteen is an instant favourite in our world,’ one said.
‘Amazing seasonal food. The simplicity of the dishes really highlights the quality of the produce. The staff are incredibly attentive and helpful. The perfect spot for lunch. The snapper is always on the menu and is a must,’ another shared.
‘Phenomenal dinner full of fresh produce and a delightful seasonal menu. We discovered it changes weekly which is amazing. The martini was fabulous, food delish and vibes great. Best meal in a long time, a very memorable night,’ one added.
‘One of the most divine meals I’ve had in Melbourne in months (if not years). The food had us genuinely ordering more and more after each course came. The flavours in each dish were so well thought out and balanced,’ another revealed.
