“Come on baby, you’re driving me crazy, goodness gracious, great balls of fire!” That’s how you will feel after a few mouthfulls from the A Tavola team who have launched a playful tribute to one of the worlds most loved and humble foods – the meatball.
Hold your balls…we are talking more than simply red meat. The menu covers almost every food group, so you can safely take your veggie friends. Inspiration Palle came during Covid after owner-chef
Eugenio Maiale (A Tavola and Flour Eggs Water) sought the comfort food of his mum and her home cooked meatballs.
Tavola’s signature family table runs the length of the restaurant, a nod to Eugenio’s belief that food is better shared with family and friends. However, if you want more privacy there are bar seats and smaller tables which line the venue.
The menu spans snacks, balls, subs, signatures, bambini and sweet balls. To be fair, we didnt get to the end of the menu! An order of proscuitto with westmont pickle is unbelievable value. $13 gets you a plate of soft luscious layers which anywhere else would cost close to $35 for the same amount. Bueno!
We spend most of our time on the balls. Like Noah’s Ark they arrive in two’s. The Chicken parmy balls ($10) are golden brown with a cheesy top and basil leaf. It’s flavourful with a savoury tomato base. Buffalo Cod, leek and potato ($10) is a purist ball, it’s a restaurant favourite, but we found this batch to be heavy on potato flavour and fell short of fishy, textural cod pop. Lamb was a different story – big, bold and juicy on a bed of whipped fetta and dill. The winner was the porcini mushroom with tallegio cheese served on a bed of creamy almond skordalia. Needless to say it was so good we ordered two more! A parchment paper boat arrives next, containing cheese balls (3 cheeses) with a lashings of tomato sauce. It’s perfect when you mop up the sauce with a garlicy slice from a foil wrapped cheese bread.
It’s not all balls though. The slaw is a palate cleanser with a touch of dill. The loaded fries is a decadent collaboration of mozzerella, prosciutto and herbs, whilst the quinoa salad is a tasty mix of pumpkin, kale and rasins.
You will find your favourites and some new friends in the drinks menu. The spicy margarita is a balanced blend of blanco tequila, jalapeno and lime. Top marks for offering a sparkling red by the glass, the Monte Delle Vigne is a charming lambrusso with lots of cherry, plum and good acidity.
Palle is fun from the moment you enter under the big green circular “P” sign to the time that you leave. It’s food from the heart, from the family and a welcome addition to the ever popular Tramsheds.
Palle Tramsheds T08C, 1 Dalgal Way, Forest Lodge
Hours: lunch: Fri-Sun 12-3PM, dinner: Fri-Sun 5:30PM-Close
