Picky Piggies

Tostada $5.5 ea; Bocadillo $9 ea

Tostada simply stands for "toasted" in Spanish. Movida's version is a thin layer of pork jam sandwiched between two thin discs of crunchy toasts with a sunny side up quail egg on top. With a complex meaty flavour, these toasties made a pleasant snack.

Next up are the sliders heroing smoked wagyu brisket, together with pickled cucumber, quail egg and cheese. These sliders were cute, but not extraordinary by any means.

Croqueta $4.5 ea

Here is a more classic dish - these croquettes had a beautiful crispy shell on the outside, and a gooey soft cheesy centre. You could really taste the jamon, which added a rich savoury touch. 

Caballa Ahumada $6.5 ea

We've had kingfish on many occasions, but this one is a little unusual - kingfish with smoked sweet pine nut sorbet. The smokey aroma was so strong, you could smell it in the air as the dish arrived (oh and we loved the whole smoke effect). Sorbet doesn't usually come in savoury flavours, but when done right it can be surprisingly enjoyable. The kingfish was icy fresh, and the incredibly smoky sorbet awoke the tongue with a nutty chill.

Paletilla $30

We like to say that cured meat cures all problems, but sadly this one didn't win our hearts. There was a lot of unpleasant tendons attached to the meat, which made it extremely chewy and almost impossible to swallow. It was our least favourite dish of the day - a waste of aged Iberico.

Anchoa $5 ea

This tapas didn't waste any time beating around the bush - it hit our mouths at full acceleration, exploding like a icy flavour bomb. The sweet tomato sorbet smoothly coated our palates with refreshing smokiness, as the thin slice of bread and anchovies followed suit with a salty crunch. The added saltiness from the capers proved slightly over the top, nevertheless this was an exciting dish.

Piquilla $7.50 ea

Breaking the thin case of batter, the capsicum softly pulls apart, revealing a tender, creamy scallop that melts in your mouth. these were cooked just right, accompanied with a generous smear of herb aioli at the base. 

Gambas $34

These charcoal grilled king prawns were a little disappointing, only because they pale in comparison to the previous dishes. The flavours were fairly predictable and unexciting. 

Arroz Con Setas $29.50

Baked rice with pine mushrooms and goats curd. The good - for mushrooms lovers, we can never get enough of exotic mushrooms. The bad, the excessive saltiness made it difficult to enjoy. We also found the goats curd unnecessary and very goaty.

Carrillera De Buey $30

Braised beef cheek in Pedro Ximenez with cauliflower puree. Beef cheek is usually a safe bet but often uninspiring. However, this was by far the most impressive dish of the night, and possibly the best beef cheek we've ever had. The meat was skilfully cooked that the pockets of fat rendered the meat exceptionally tender. The dark gravy carried a distinctive and characteristic fragrance, resulting in a lingering, tasty finish. The cauliflower puree was creamy and sweet, which paired well with the beef cheek. 

After finishing this dish, I had an urge to get a second one, but was stopped by Mr Piggy...(I'm still a little upset with him😠) 

Cecina $25

This is a dish that is simple yet delicious (another crowd-winner). The air-dried wagyu had an intense and compact flavour, while the poached egg, mashed potato and truffle added a creamy and nutty element. 

Flan $15

Never underestimate the power of flan. Perhaps a simple dessert, but when done right, it can be amazing. This flan was silky, creamy and delightful. On the side were some crispy fennel seed biscuits coated in sugar, making a perfect contrast to the flan's smooth texture. The burnt caramel provide the right bitter note for the sweet and eggy flan.
We are definitely coming back for the beef cheek and the cecina, and looking forward to seeing more interesting dishes when we visit Melbourne next time. 

Food: 8/10
Service: 6/10
Atmosphere: 7/10

Highlight:

• Authenticity meets creativity
• Beef cheek, cecina and flan

Lowlight:

• Some underwhelming dishes dragged down the overall experience

Website: https://movida.com.au/