Movida Next Door

I had this unusually super exciting lucky day this week.  Mid week I’m just sitting there checking my twitter feed over lunch, as I do, and Em Rusciano has tweeted that she has three double passes to give away to her show, “Puberty Rhythm and Blues”.  Her show is currently on at the ‘Forum’ for the Melbourne International Comedy Festival.  All I had to do was send an email.

So I thought why not, nothing to lose right?  To my delight a little while later I receive an email back to say I’d been successful in gaining one of the double passes.  Me… a WINNER.  I won!  After reading the email 18 times I realised it wasn’t a mistake and I had actually won. 

I was so thrilled because I love Em.  I think she is awesome and she reminds me a little of myself.  Not in an outward way but inwardly.  She writes and talks about things that I have thought only go on in my head or in my life!  It’s like she’s the mouthpiece for what I’m thinking.  And she can sing.  I can sing too but I sound awful – she sounds great!

Off I go to her hilarious show and was super star struck as she delivered the very open story about her puberty and the impending puberty of her daughter! It was laugh so hard you’re rolling around on the floor.  Go see it if you can.  There is still time.

After the show it was time to eat.  Right next door to the ‘Forum’ is MOVIDA NEXT DOOR.  Perfect.  As my friend and I walk over I literally run into Andy Lee (from Hamish & Andy).  Another celeb that I just love…by the way he seems taller in real life… After I finish being an embarrassing celebrity spotter loser.  I gather myself and now go to eat.

And of course there’s a wait – the place was packed.  I felt so hungry I thought I might eat my own arm off.  But after only one drink worth of a wait we were seated at the bar. 

The staff at MOVIDA NEXT DOOR were very professional, polite and knowledgeable.   The way the waiter/barman explained the menu was considered and enticing.  It was around about now I wished I’d learnt Spanish at school.

With my eyes being way bigger than my stomach by this point, we ordered –

• ·      Monte Enebro $8 each
• ·      Pollo $8 each
• ·      Bocadillo De Chorizo $8 each
• ·      Remolacha $12.50
• ·      Berenjenas $13.50

I’m tempted not to explain the dishes any further and say just go in there and try them all because they were all perfectly divine!  Which they were but I should tell you what they translate to for the non – Spanish readers.

Monte Enebro – Roquefort culture semi soft goats cheese.  This cheese was flawless.  A balanced flavor matched with fig.

Pollo – Chicken skewer grilled on charcoal.  This was smoky, smoky goodness.

Bocadillo De Chorizo – Chorizo and pickled piparra pepper sandwich.  Try saying that after a few sangria's!  This was the cutest little sandwich I’ve ever seen.  My pick of the night.

Remolacha – Beetroot, goats curd, pickled garlic and honey roasted walnuts.  Put goats curd on anything and you’ve won me but topped off with the sweetness of the walnuts I was in LOVE.

Berenjenas – Eggplant chips with salmorejo.  I just can’t get enough of eggplant chips.  Who’d of thought it?!

MOVIDA NEXT DOOR has not lost any of its charm or purpose.  If you’ve never been, go – it’s tapas at it’s finest.

Food – 8/10

Service – 9/10

Ambiance – 8/10

MOVIDA NEXT DOOR

Hosier Lane, Melbourne.

(03) 9663 3038

www.movida.com.au