Bella Vedere, Yarra Valley, Victoria

There is a saying that "The Apple does not fall far from the tree" and such is the case with myself and my lovely parents, Mr and Mrs Fridgemagnet. Like Demos and I, they love to travel and search for memorable meals. Here is Mrs Fridgemagnet's third guest post - Viva Victoria (Part Three) 

-Shoya Japanese Restaurant (Part One)

-Movida Bar de Tapas y Vino (Part Two)

Bella Vedere

We had been touring the wineries around Yarra Valley all morning when we stopped by Badger's Brook Estate to sample their produce. Beside the cellar door  was Bella Verdere Cucina, a restaurant and cooking school.

Walking past the narrow corridor, we were greeted with a tempting array of cakes, cheeses and bread. The bread is baked on the premises and all the vegetables and herbs are grown at the back of the restaurant.

The dining area was sunny and painted in avocado to complement the greenery that surrounded the restaurant. We had no reservations but were graciously accommodated. Our very cheerful Italian waiter greeted us with a large paper menu and explained the Sunday specials. I espied at the end of the menu that this restaurant was recently awarded a coveted hat by the Age Good Food Guide, so I knew it was going to be a memorable lunch.

The special of the day was The Latin Duck which sounded so intriguing, I just had to order this as my main. This dish and the Sunday menu was inspired by the Chef Gary Cooper's stint at  Marchetti's Latin in Melbourne. It was a deboned, halved duck served in sour cherry sauce with champagne braised cabbage.

Mr Fridgemagnet needed his meat and proceeded to order the Cotoletta di Vitello al Porcini (Veal cutlet with porcini mushroom sauce). We skipped the side veggies and opted for the artery-clogging Duck Fat Fried Chips topped with Egg.

  Our meals came in large serving platters --- hearty and unpretentious. Savouring my last piece of duck, I thought to myself what a great ending to unplanned diversion!

Part of Mrs Fridgemagnets guest posts on Viva Victoria!

-Shoya Japanese Restaurant, Melbourne(Part One)

-Movida Bar de Tapas y Vino, Melbourne (Part Two)

-Bella Vedere, Yarra Valley (Part Three)

Bella Veredere Cucina

874 Maroondah Hwy, Coldstream, VIC 3770

03 5962 4130