La Baia Bar Cucina
16/123 Beaconsfield Parade, Albert Park
03 9042 2251
Italian
$$$
Food
- Bruschetta
- Polpette di Maiale
- Linguine allo Scoglio
- Taleggio & Speck Pizza
- Tiramisu
The Good
We were immediately impressed starting off with the bruschetta. Served on a sizeable 10″ garlic pizza, the fresh cuts of tomato, basil and onions were drizzled with a fragrant olive oil. The garlic pizza base was incredibly tasty and crisp, thin and aromatic with plenty of crunch. Absolutely delicious.
We also enjoyed the Polpette di Maiale. We found the generous helping of meatballs served in a bold, rich Napoli sauce. With melted cheese on top, the meatball themselves were soft and juicy, it’s coarse grind allowed for plenty of texture and great flavour. Served on slices of dense, toasted house-made bread, this rich, cheesy and crunchy combination certainly can’t get better.
Our mains consisted of the Linguine allo Scoglio and a Taleggio & Speck Pizza.
The Linguine was an awesome sight to behold. Topped with two vibrantly coloured yabbie claws, the pasta was generously topped with plenty fresh seafood indulging beautifully tender mussels, crisp prawns, soft calamari and a variety of clams. Underneath, we found the linguine cooked to perfection. On just the softer side on al dente, the silky smooth pasta was coated in a divine herb and white wine sauce, with just a hint of seafood sensation thanks to the beautiful juices from the fresh seafood itself. For seafood lovers, this is a must-try!
The Taleggio & Speck Pizza did not disappoint either. The once again crisp, fragrant base was thin yet firm. The aromatic dough was baked just right with no hint of sogginess. The white Taleggio cheese base was lightly flavoured though creamy, allowing for the generously laden slices of tender prosciutto to shine. Contrasted by the crisp juiciness of fresh asparagus and a hint of bitterness from leaves of rocket, this classically Italian combination was absolutely phenomenal with just a drizzle of chilli oil.
The Mediocre
We rounded off our meal with the Tiramisu. Despite its stunning presentation, the dessert unfortunately failed to wow our tastebuds unlike all the other dishes. The espresso-soaked biscuits were a tad denser than expected, and the cream to biscuit ratio leaned too heavy towards the cream side. We could’ve also benefitted from more bitterness in the coffee.
The Bad
Nothing.
The Verdict
Situated right next to the beach, La Baia offers patrons a delicious and refined Italian experience fit to match the stunning view.
Their house made pizzas and pastas no doubt stole the show today, and for an authentic, well executed yet affordable Italian feast, La Baia certainly deserves a visit.
Would Penguin Eat Again?
Most definitely. More pizzas and pastas are in order!
Penguineats would like to thank La Baia for inviting us.