The Committee Room by Grossi at the MCG. Italian food in the home of Australian football? How much more Melbourne can you get?
Guy Grossi would like to know if you and your best pals are free for lunch on the Friday 1 September. The celebrated restaurateur and chef has put together an exceptional menu to showcase the charms of what he and his team have been cooking at The Committee Room by Grossi at the MCG since they began cooking at the grounds in 2022. It’s now a lunching spot par excellence, and, as we roll into footy finals season, now’s the time to check it out.
We’re talking a four-course feast, kicking off with a Venetian Spritz and antipasti, then a great pasta, a delicious main course, and a classic Italian dessert to finish things on a high. Apart from cooking us this superb lunch, Guy Grossi is also going to take a moment out of the kitchen to talk about what it means to be Italian in Melbourne, and how Melbourne figures in Italy’s view of the world, in conversation with MFWF creative director Pat Nourse.
“We call it Melbournese,” Grossi says. He pronounces it “Mel-bourne-ah-zee”, to rhyme with Caprese or Milanese, and what he means by it is the Italian culture that is particular to this fine city. “The magic of Italy is those characteristics that are very specific to each city and region, and now that we have these layers of migration of Italian to Victoria, as well as families who trace their history back three, four, or even more generations, we have a flavour of Italianness, for want of a better word, that is informed by where we are and who we are here. That’s Melbournese.”
As passionate and articulate as Grossi is on this matter, he also is strongly of the opinion that it’s a lot better discussed at the table, with a drink in hand and some fine Italo-Australian food laid before you. And then he can get into a subject he’s also very passionate about: who’ll leave with the flag on that final Saturday of September.
“There’s nowhere I’d rather be as we head into finals,” he says, “and I can’t wait for you to see what we do at The Committee Room by Grossi.” We’ll see you there.
Lunch alla Melbournese with Guy Grossi, $130 for four courses and a drink on arrival, with complimentary parking for all guests, 12.30pm, Friday 1 September, The Committee Room by Grossi, Melbourne Cricket Ground, Brunton Ave, Melbourne, (03) 9657 8877. This event is now sold out.