MoVida Bar de Tapas y Vino

After a couple of failed attempts to secure a reservation at Frank Camorra's authentic Spanish restaurant, MoVida Bar de Tapas y Vino (MoVida Tapas and Wine Bar), I finally succeeded in dining at this fine restaurant which have been continuously receiving numerous "Restaurant of the Year" awards. My dining experience here involved sampling a number of Tapas and Racion. Tapas are small individual dishes enough for one person while Racion are dishes to be shared amongst a few people.

Here's a list of glorious food that was consumed that night:
1. Vieira, jamon y espuma
Half shell scallop oven baked with jamon and potato foam

2. Cecina (awarded "Inaugural Dish of the Year" in the 2007 The Age Good Food Guide)
Air cured wagyu beef thinly sliced with a truffle foam and poached egg

3. Asadillo
Marinated roast capsicum and tomato salad, in Moorish spices

4. Mejillones en gazpachuelo
Mussels steamed and served in a warm white gazpacho sauce

5. Setas asado con jerez
Oven roasted portabello mushrooms finished with sherry vinegar


The 2007 Age Good Food Guide awarded MoVida's "Cecina" its inaugural Dish of the Year award. Admittedly, the tapas and racion served at MoVida had a unique taste, which sets it apart from other Spanish restaurants. It would certainly be hard to pick my absolute favourite, but among all the dishes that were ordered, I think the scallops was my favourite dish of the night.

A jug of sangria never fails to compliment Spanish food. Sangria is a wine punch that normally consists of red wine, chopped fruits such as orange, peach, lemon and/or apple, a small amount of brandy or triple sec, a sweetener like orange juice, honey or sugar and carbonated water. Desserts such as churros are yet to be tried out as five dishes between two people was plentiful. For a bigger group of people dining at this restaurant, the paella is highly recommended.

A warning to those who are intending to dine at this divine restaurant. If you plan to visit it on weekends, you'll need to make a reservation at least eight weeks in advance. If you can't be bothered to plan a meal two months ahead, you'll still need to make a reservation at least four weeks in advance to secure a table on a weekday. However, the seats at the bar cannot be reserved. Hence, if you happen to be around the area and feeling a little peckish for Spanish food, there is no harm popping in to try your luck at finding yourself a seat at the bar. All in all, it is a worthwhile dining experience for all those who have a palate for Spanish cuisine.



Restaurant information:
MoVida Bar de Tapas y Vino
1 Hosier Lane, Melbourne 3000
Phone: (03) 9663 3038
Website: http://www.movida.com.au

Opening hours: Daily (noon - late)