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Ferdydurke 31 Tattersalls Lane, Melbourne. Ph: 9639 3750 Words and photos by To Stay Or To Go?
About To Stay Or To Go? A New Yorker transplanted in Melbourne, I’m obsessed with travel, good food, and most recently, SCAN TAG TO COMMENT ON THIS ARTICLE
Tim Tams. If I’m not working I’m probably eating, and if I am working I’m probably thinking about eating. Or searching desperately for Come Dine with Me episodes on YouTube. Or trying to kidnap the neighbours’ cats. I document my foods and feelings on ‘To Stay or to Go?’.
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On Sunday 30 June, Pierogi Pierogi, a Melbourne purveyor of pierogi and
– meat, mushroom and sauerkraut and cheese and potato – our plate didn’t
all that is Polish, hit Ferdydurke for their ‘I Left My Heart in Europe’ party.
include any meat. When my friend Tess arrived a bit later, her mixed dish had
Coincidence has it that when I laid eyes on the poster promoting this party, I
no meat either. Never mind, because both the mushroom and potato fillings
had recently unsuccessfully scoured the frozen section of my neighbourhood
were carefully and lovingly prepared, and delicious.
IGA for pierogi. I recognised fate and vowed not to miss my chance for Eastern European dumpling goodness at Ferdy’s.
When Tess came, we also all shared a tasting plate of salatka (Russian for salad), kabano sausages and fresh rye bread. The kabanos, served cold, were
The party was already raging for about three hours when we trekked up
much smaller in diameter than what I’ve had at home, but had the same
the stairs at 3:15, and it showed no signs of stopping. Ferdydurke is small,
smoky taste and coarsely ground filling. The salad and bread were the real
but today it was chock-a-block with people downing dumplings, soups,
winners on this dish though. Potatoes chopped small and mixed with peas,
sausages, vodka shots and mulled beer all in the name of Poland.
carrots and onions were coated in a vinegar-y dressing that made my day.
Charlie and I, fresh out of the Melbourne Pizza Festival, ordered one order of
A DJ played traditional Eastern Euro melodies mixed with dancefloor beats,
five fried pierogi with varied fillings for $10. At $2 each, these may be some of
and an artist demonstrated the traditional craft of paper cutting. She told
the most expensive dumplings I’ve eaten recently, but they proved worth it.
me she’s been practicing since her brother taught her at just three years old.
Although delivery was a little hectic with just one server trying to make sense
I really enjoyed this event because it was cool to see a bar I go to get injected
of tons of orders, our pierogi came out hot and fresh. They were fried to a
with a dose of culture for a day. The pierogi were awesome and it was so easy
nice golden brown and accompanied by sour cream and a fried onion and
to see that all of the people who worked to create this event did so out of
bacon relish. The skins were thick but light, and all of the fillings were really
love. I Left My Heart in Europe is a monthly event and I look forward to seeing
well done. We were a little upset that, despite ordering a mix of all three types
what next month brings.
fath er’s
d proay mo!
the way to your
dad’s heart is through his stomach 3 course lunch
12-2pm, 1st september
$49 adults
$18 kids
KITCHEN
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PANTRY
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SCHOOL
64 Sutton Street, North Melbourne VIC 3051 T 03 9322 4750 03 9322 4755 F 03 9322 4711 E info@casabottega.com.au
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