La Cucina Di Sandra Guest in Kitchen at Grand Richmond
La Cucina di Sandra teamed up with the fabulous chefs from Grand Richmond for Monday Italian Night at this haven of Italian cuisine. Sandra Del Greco has become a legend of Melbourne with her unique stunning cooking school in Richmond. Sandra has been popular with her authentic Italian cuisine at festivals, corporate events, fun nights with friends, with her range of Italian cooking classes, and with guest spots in kitchens such as Grand Richmond. The World Loves Melbourne was there to check out the action at Grand Richmond. By the way, a super fun night in Melbourne is to grab some friends and attend a cooking class at La Cucina Di Sandra! (We've been to a few epic nights there).
Apart from its formal dining room, Grand Richmond opens up its public dining area on Monday nights for Italian Night, where you can get a top notch main course and a glass of wine for only $30. Sandra worked with the Grand Richmond chefs in presenting four main courses from which to choose.
A stunning dish was the Pasta with lamb and red pepper ragu. Not only was the lamb and red pepper ragu a hit but the pasta itself was top notch.
Meatballs. an Italian lad in the courtyard mentioned to Sandra that these meatballs were exceptional and he had sworn no-one could make meatballs like his Nonna. This dish was simply titled Nonna's meatballs in tomato sauce with mashed potatoes. But it belies Sandra's secrets taken from her Zia to make the best traditional Italian meatballs ever!
This is the rustic style dish I ordered - a flavour intense Pork Casserole with fennel and potatoes. The pork was cooked perfectly and the fennel and potatoes the perfect accompaniment. The broth was amazing; I had to get a spoon and slurp it all.
Dishes such as these are a great example of Sandra's cooking; authentic Italian cooking that you can try at home. This is about accessible recipes that you can cook at home (Sandra gives you loads of tips at her classes) and will impress your friends for that next dinner party.
We were also served marinated olives and fresh bread.
David from Grand Richmond engages with Sandra Del Greco at the bar. Next to Sandra on the right is Annalisa Lippis the legendary shoe designer and genius behind hilarious Melbourne blog This Wog Life.
Sandra in the background with some of the diners at Italian Night in the foreground.
The World Loves Melbourne is a self acclaimed connoisseur of Lemon Tarts - and the Grand Richmond version hit the spot.
Well done to Sandra, or should we say "Bravo"! Remember to book your cooking class at La Cucina Di Sandra - a slice of authentic Italy in Melbourne - you will love it! And get along to the fabulous hatted Grand Richmond!