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« Stefano’s of Mildura
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Avoca Paddleboat

Mildura Riverfront (opposite Jaycee Park)
Phone +613 5022 1444
20061203Avoca

Further to our culinary adventures in Mildura, EG and I decided to hop aboard the Avoca Paddleboat for a three course banquet and two hour cruise. For $49 we thought it was an absolute bargain, especially since Stefano would be cooking for us - again :-).

The Paddleboat started its days hauling cargo up and down the Mighty Murray in the 1870’s. Recently refurbished, it now acts as an informal riverfront cafe for lunches and dinners. It also plays host to weddings, parties, anything.

Set up on long communal tables, you are somewhat at the mercy of good placement whether your leisurely lunch will be pleasure or pain. To one side of us we had a group of local ladies out for a luncheon, who were great value and a fount of local knowledge. On our other side we almost had the couple from hell - retiree caravanning QLDers who couldn’t help but complain about EVERYTHING. Luckily we were saved by a young couple out to trial the boat for their wedding reception (they took up the space between us). Phew.

Now, I must admit I thought the meal would be “cooked in front of you by Stefano de Pieri as you sit at a communal table”. Well, it wasn’t cooked in front of us. Perhaps he was somewhat forlorn at being unsuccessful in running for an independent upper house seat in Government only the week before. Hmm. A pity. But we did spy him coming aboard to cook.

20061203AvocaBread

First up were the lovely ciabatta rolls I spoke about yesterday from Stefano’s restaurant. Crusty, chewy, sourdoughy, mmm. Once again it was served with Stefano’s extra virgin olive oil and Murray pink salt.

20061203AvocaEggplant

Then came a starter of melanzane alla parmigiana, or eggplant parmigiana. Slices of fried eggplant were daubed liberally with a reduced sweet passata, garnished with a sprig of basil and given a good sprinkling of parmesan and tallegio cheese. Baked in the oven, they were served at room temperature and absolutely oozed an abundance of flavour. This dish certainly reminded me of my childhood growing up with Italian grandparents. It was a popular dish in our family.

20061203AvocaRisotto

Next, a beautiful asparagus and prosciutto risotto. It was to the tooth and creamy, though a little dryer than what I would have expected from a veneto risotto maker, who usually style it a little runnier/soupier. But that didn’t detract from the taste - which was friggin fantastic. Thinking this was our second course, I helped myself to second and dare I say it, even a third helping. Alas, this was actually the first course. I still had two more to go and I was already stuffed!

20061203AvocaStuffedRolledChicken

So, for our “main” dish we had a magnificent plate of rolled and boned chicken stuffed with ricotta infused with citrus. It came served with crisp green bean and sweet mini roma tomato salad, roasted peppers, carrots and zucchini. The quality of the produce in this dish alone was magnificent, and it was cooked to absolute perfection.

20061203AvocaChocTorta

Dessert didn’t blow my socks off. Basically a selection of cakes was offered (you didn’t get to choose though). I copped a dark mud type cake - which just really didn’t do it for me. But then I think mud cakes suck, so that didn’t help ;-). I would have loved a baked Italian cheesecake, a torta della nonna, or something that showcased all the wonderful fruit the region is famous for.

The service could be improved somewhat too. There was a bit of confusion as to where to place the communal plates of food, and a general feeling of disorganisation. It also lacked a welcoming/happy vibe. And despite the fact I had booked two weeks in advance, they had lost my booking. Luckily they could accommdate us though.

All in all though - the food was fantastic, the boat was a hoot, the bar stocked a good range of local wines/beers. It really would have rocked had the man himself cooked in front of us, or even made an appearance. Alas, I still enjoyed the experience.


Written by mellie on December 3rd, 2006 | Tags: , , | Category: Uncategorized | Print This Post Print This Post | Email This Post Email This Post | Subscribe to comments | Leave a comment | Trackback URL

2 Responses to “Avoca Paddleboat”

  1. 1
    emzeegee & the hungry three:
    December 28th, 2006 at 11:49 pm

    Hi Mel,

    Just wanted to wish you a happy Xmas and New Year, and to say that I am enjoying reading about your regional culinary adventures! As for the mud cake, I would be remiss if I didn’t say you haven’t lived until you’ve eaten *my* mudcake. The recipe has almost a kilo of dark couveture in it, and that’s only for an 8 inch cake. :) Two bites and you die a slow but heavenly chocolatey death. Be nice to me and I’ll share the recipe.

    :)

    Michelle

  2. 2
    mellie:
    January 1st, 2007 at 11:07 pm

    Thanks for that Michelle. And a Happy Hanukkah and New Year to you as well :-)

    Hmm…I am yet to be convinced by a good mud cake. I hate those teeth sticking dense numbers that feel like you’re eating chocolate playdoh. But I certainly trust your kickarse cheffing skills - so bring it on! I dare you to change my mind :-)

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