Nestled between some of the best ‘hot spots’ on popular Crown Street in Surry Hills, Mille Vini stands it’s ground as a local dining gem. You could easily walk past this heritage listed building, and see just another bustling restaurant on a busy strip, but I encourage you to take a second look.
Mille Vini meaning ‘a thousand wines’ in Italian screams wine bar-come restaurant. The high walls are adorned with rows and rows of quality wine, and bottles even make an appearance on the stairwell. The restaurant has a homely vibe. I felt as though I was at someones Nona’s house, smelling delicious aromas coming from the kitchen.
New Head Chef, John Lanzafame has revamped the menu focusing on Italian rustic fare. Sipping on my Aperol Spritz and taking in the surrounds, the restaurant manager told us more about the food we were about to eat. First course was a tasting plate including a pork and beef meatball with arrabbiata sauce and crostini, whitebait fritters with Aioli and Lemon, and mushroom risotto.
The next tasting plate was my favourite and really showcased the diversity of the menu. The dish included: Radicchio with orange segments, walnuts and goats cheese, lamb cutlet with anchovy butter and fried zucchini and veal filled with prosciutto, pomodorini and balsamic onions.
A meal is never truly finished without dessert and this dish was a crowd pleaser! Sugar dusted Italian donuts on a bed of hazelnut sauce. I may have slightly over-indulged treating myself to four, ok maybe five.
The night was all about good food, good company and good wine. Go check it out!