It’s a little know fact that Journal Canteen – or Rosa’s Kitchen as the hidden neon sign on the first floor of the Centre for Adult Education (CAE) Building on Flinders Lane says – is now open on Friday nights.
Up until I discovered that, I had only ever eaten lunch – for which bookings aren’t taken – there.
For you to discover it, enter the Centre for Adult Education (1st floor, 253 Flinders Lane, Melbourne +61 3 9650 4399), and turn right up some stairs. To say it is hidden away is like calling the mafia law abiding, the Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi doesn’t like to party with topless girls. Or that Italian cars are reliable (now I’m in trouble).
The vibe is refectory and you will have to share a table with the other diners, office workers by day teachers by night. The level of chatter is high and it’s the sort of place you feel comfortable dining alone with a book (or twitter in my case).
The cook, Rosa Mitchell, insisted on linen serviettes. “Just in case Stephen Downes reviews it,” she jokes. And it adds class.
My first lunch I felt was a little too rustic, but Rosa Mitchell’s Sicilian style food I have eaten ever since has been terrific. The food is simple, seasonal and homely and (warning) sometimes includes tripe. The recipes, you’ll want them for the anti pasta ($15/$27) alone, are available in the cookbook Rosa’s Kitchen which is brilliantly put together by Murdoch Books ( I paid for mine).
(As an aside it is worth reading Jules’ review which which I totally agree.)
The Veal Saltimbocca is hard to refuse. Most mains are $20. Dessert $7.50. At lunch time the degustation is $32.
Four courses for supper on a Friday night we visited was $39 and stovetop coffee is thrown in. Our evening meal comprised of the anti pasta, a squid ink risotto, roasted pork and dessert. A tightly written, reasonable value and interestingly European wine list doesn’t break the bank either with most priced between $36 and $47.
This is the kind of food that is just right for this moment: A miserable economic climate only made darker by the damp, cold winter.
You’ll want to come here to eat and drink yourself out of your discontent.
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Thanks Ed – I remember reading that, but forgot (old). Just find it impossible to get there lunchtimes and really want to support Rosa. Tripe is good for me
This is right up my alley. I love little hidden away gems and a degustation for $30? Yes I’m there (well I’m not being in Sydney but figuratively speaking).
I remember seeing a huge group of people leaving there on a Friday night and reminded myself to go. Unfortunately I still haven’t been in the evening.
Hmmm…tripe.
It is just difficult to find friends who are willing to sit above a library for a Friday night dinner which isn’t fat/carb/sugar free. Hmm, I hate my generation.
I’ve been meaning to try this place out – I keep walking past it!
I’ll have to get a bit more proactive and give this one a go! I’ve heard such good things about it!
Yay! Open Fridays! I haven’t been cos I dont work in the city so no lunches for me.
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Definitely have to go there now – 4 courses for $39 is great value.
And I happen to like tripe.
If it’s done well that is.
I’ve only ever eaten at trainee kitchens for those kind of prices. The TAFE cooking kitchens and the like – and of course the students try their best but it’s very hit and miss. But a professional kitchen for these prices? Unbeatable!
Rosa’s book is wonderful; i bought it on a whim and I don’t regret it one bit unlike some of my spot purchases LOL.
I do however, question the temperature settings for the Ricotta Cheese making recipe; is it possible to heat milk to 200 C at home? I haven’t been successful with this recipe of hers unfortunately. However, aside from this one issue i have, i adore this book and would love to dine at her kitchen!
Looks like a typo – it would be more likely to be 200 degrees farenheit. About 90 degrees Celsius would be good.