There’s no doubt that the cosmopolitan cafe precinct of Prospect is the place to be seen these days. The latest business to open their doors is the Italian Caffe Buondi. Open practically every day of the year, this eatery will satisfy your Italian cravings with a selection of pastas, risottos, pizzas, salads and main meals. Keen to beat to the cold weather, we popped down to Prospect Road to check it out.

Hot Grilled Chicken Salad

Beautifully presented, this dish is ideal for those looking for a healthier option with added protein. Generously sized strips of juicy grilled chicken sat on top of freshly cut lettuce, tomato, cucumber and avocado. A thin swirl of balsamic dressing not only adds to the presentation, but tied everything together.

Paella

The Paella is currently on their specials board, but we think it should be a permanent part of the menu. Full of vibrant colours, the dish had chorizo slices and a medley of seafood such as mussels, prawns and calamari. The beautiful flavours of the ingredients were well absorbed into the soft, delicate rice. It’s so good, you need to eat it all.

Gnocchi Napoletana

A classic Italian pasta that was executed to perfection. The gnocchi was soft and pillowy, and covered in a sweet napoletana sauce. This dish is perfect for the cold winter weather.

Spaghetti Marinara

Another Italian favourite is the Spaghetti Marinara. The spaghetti was perfectly al dente and cooked with a medley of seafood such as prawns, calamari, mussels, vongole and fish fillets. You could really taste the flavours of the ocean with every bite.

Saltimbocca Romana

What we loved about this dish was its simplicity. A layer of melted cheese sat on top of a perfectly cooked strip of veal. It was accompanied by crunchy broccolini and crispy roasted rosemary potatoes. It was so hearty and satisfying.

Calzone Rustico

One of our favourites was the Calzone Rustico. Perfect for those who love bolognese and pizza. The wrapped pizza base contained all our favourite toppings such as ham, salami, mushrooms, capsicum, olives and cheese. The pizza pastry was then covered a rich bolognese sauce which would have gone well with any pasta.

The Lot

A visit wouldn’t be complete without a pizza. We went with The Lot to get something nice and colourful. The amount of toppings was generous with loads of bacon, ham, salami, pepperoni, onion, mushrooms, capsicum, pineapple, olives and anchovies on each bite. The pizza base was just right; not too thick and not too thin. It also had a consistent thickness throughout.

There’s a lot to love about Caffe Buondi. You’ll be suprised by the taste of the food, the quality of the ingredients used and generous portion sizes. Couple that with the great service and casual atmosphere, and you’re on a winner. We know where we’re going when we’re in the area!

Caffe Buondi is open Monday to Saturday from 7am-10:30pm and on Sunday from 8am-10:30pm.

WHERE: 101-103 Prospect Rd, Prospect