Episode 13: Italian special

The Yarra Valley has become synonymous with Italian food and wine with superstars like De Bortoli Winery and Yarra Valley Pasta, but one of the newest places for Italian delights is the Al Dente Cooking school. An hour's drive from Melbourne at the Oaks Winery in Yering, the school is surrounded by inspiring vineyards and run by mother and daughter Hilda and Melissa Inglese. There are 15 seasonal menus to choose from, each of which includes three scrumptious courses served with local wine. You can learn to cook specialities like Peppronata with crusty bread or Zia Mary's lemon cheese cake and Melissa shares her sweet tooth with an Italian style high tea menu.

Al Dente Cooking
13 Melba Highway, Yering
Ph 03 9735 1798
www.aldentecooking.com.au

Aperitivo and Sausage Making

Italians have been making sausages for centuries and you can learn learn the secret of sausage making with Sara Grazia at the Aperitivo Food and Wine Bar in Kyneton. Sara runs regular Italian sausage making classes, including both fresh and cured sausages. Using a special sausage filler, you'll soon master the simple fresh sausages; then it's time to tackle a tasty salami.

Aperitivo Food and Wine Bar
57 Piper Street, Kyneton
Ph 03 5422 3555

Sausages Made Simple
Ph 0410 459 937
www.sausagesmadesimple.com.au

Lygon Street

Brunetti in Faraday Street is famous for its coffee and delicious cakes. Run by the Angele family for 20 years, it was founded by Giorgio Angele, who came to Australia with the Italian Olympic team in 1956 as their pastry chef.

King and Godfree have sold Italian goods and deli items in their landmark building since 1984. With an extensive range of pasta, dry goods, cold cuts, gourmet treats and high end Italian wines, you will find everything you need to make an Italian banquet at home.

Or for a quick meal, there's pizza from Toto's, where the art of pizza making since has been perfected since 1961.

Brunetti
198–204 Faraday Street, Carlton
Ph 03 9347 2801
brunetti.com.au

King and Godfree
293 Lygon Street, Carlton
Ph 03 9347 1619

Toto's Pizza House
101 Lygon Street, Carlton
Ph 03 9347 1888

Trattorias, Bar Idda and Da Noi

Brunswick East is known for its world cuisine, including a bit of Sicily that has become a hit with Melbourne's foodies. Bar Idda on Lygon Street is the place for authentic home style Sicilian food. Owner Alfredo La Spina learnt cooking from his family, so you'll feel like you're dining at Nonna's table in Palermo.

On the other side of the city on Toorak Road, host Pietro Porcu welcomes everyone at Da Noi. With nearly 20 years of success at Da Noi, and his famous tea rooms in Yarck, in true Italian style, he treats customers like house guests and you're guaranteed to experience the best of what life is all about.

Bar Idda
132 Lygon Street, Brunswick East
Ph 03 9380 5339
www.baridda.com.au

Da Noi
95 Toorak Road, South Yarra
Ph 03 9866 5975

Guy Grossi, Florentino and Merchant

The Cellar Bar at Florentino has long been a favourite for a good quality snack, breakfast or lunch and a chilled glass of vino. Here you can enjoy your meal on the pavement or in the cosy eatery. Or there's Grossi Florentino's famous mural room for a fine dining experience. There's also The Grill, an Italian-style bistro with the buzz of an open kitchen using seasonal produce and quick service. This trilogy of Italian delights operate under the wing of Guy Grossi, one of Melbourne's most famous chefs. His newest restaurant is the Merchant Osteria Veneta, which opened late last year. Taking its inspiration from the Venetian tradition of good food, good wine and the company of others in a relaxed setting, Merchant is a red brick gothic inspired building at the foot of the Rialto in Collins Street and comes complete with a cobblestone laneway.

Grossi Florentino
80 Bourke Street, Melbourne
Ph 03 9662 1811
grossiflorentino.com

Merchant
Rialto, 495 Collins Street, Melbourne
Ph 03 9614 7688
merchantov.com

Postcards diary

Back to Booktown
Booklovers can't miss this annual Booktown with workshops, writers talks and the greatest collection of rare, out of print and second hand books in Australia.

Where: Clunes
When: 14–15 May 2011
More: www.booktown.clunes.org

Daylesford Macedon Produce Harvest Week Festival
Discover the best and most delicious treats and produce of the Daylesford region.

Where: Daylesford
When: 13–22 May 2011
More: www.dmproduce.com.au

Harvest Celebration
Enjoy gastronomic delights from the wineries, local restaurants and producers in Beechworth.

Where: Beechworth
When: 13–15 May 2011
More: harvestcelebration.com.au