Wandering Zonzo Estate

Melbourne’s food trends consist of ever-evolving brunch spots and colourful lattes to offset the all-black uniform and Asian fusion restaurants dotting Flinders Lane. Thumb-tacks are dropped on our metaphorical world map as more and more cuisines enter the Melbourne culinary world – an incredibly diverse and delicious one at that. One of the staples since forever lies in Italian dining. Whether it be an easy spag-bol at home or a visit to Melbourne’s very own ‘Little Italy’ situated along Carlton’s Lygon Street, Italian food is a cult favourite, embedded in our diets. OG pizzerias delivering authentic thin-crust Italian pizzas like Baby, DOC gastronomia and more refined pasta bars such as Tipo 00 serving up ragu and ravioli dot our city, often fronted by long lines.

As pasta fills our Melbournian bellies, our standards of Italian food rise. It has to be heart-warming, refined, bold, classic, packed-full-of-flavour, wholesome, filling, rich, just so very italiano, *smacks lips*. As it very so happens, Zonzo Estate just an hour’s drive out of Melbourne fulfils all of these requirements and more. The rustic architecture of the three dining areas paired with the sweeping vines and green lawns make up the perfect setting to wander, zonzare. To wander through the land (and let the icy cold wind whip through your hair despite the deceptive appearance of the sun) and appreciate the view. To wander through the beautiful menu of authentic, refined, and positively scrumptious Italian food and wonderful wines.

The pizza dough is probably the best I’ve had. It’s light and soft and has that crunch in all the right places. The crowd favourite was definitely the gorgeous potato pizza with the white base; we already knew potatoes are the food of the gods, but the flavour here provided by herbs and onion and tangy olives and thin slices of roast potato was unparalleled.

The perfect plate to share lies in the slow-cooked lamb. For the meat-lovers out there, this steaming plate of perfectly cooked lamb will melt your heart. The fall-apart meat with hints of rosemary and of course, more roasted potatoes glazed in olive oil will have you salivating. Such a simple fare, but one filled with so much flavour and satisfaction.

After opening up the second dessert stomach, the strawberry and hazelnut chocolate calzone adds the perfect, not-too-rich end to an amazing meal. Pulling apart this baby and feasting with your eyes as melted chocolate oozes out is almost enough. But it only gets better when the classic but unbeatable strawberry chocolate combo hits the tastebuds. The vanilla ice-cream and strawberry sauce is something else; I asked for another scoop and it was brought to the kids sat on the table next to me in a plastic IKEA cup. Absolutely no shame as I waved at the waiter and indicated the kiddy ice cream scoop was for me, a grown child.

Zonzo Estate exists to please the connoisseur and enjoy of simple and beautiful Italian food which warms the soul and satisfies the stomach, eradicating the need for dinner that night. It’s a beautiful drive away from the bustle of the city and a refreshing alternative to the hub of Italian in and around the CBD. Have a wander.

Love, Ingrid