This burrata lover's paradise recently opened its doors at South Melbourne Market, much to the delight of locals and dairy fiends the city over. A small nook dedicated entirely to that fresh creamy Italian cheese everyone seems to adore, in spite of, maybe even because of, its disarming simplicity? Yes, that's exactly what UGO Burrata Bar is – and we're all for it.
Originating from Puglia, Italy, burrata is a silky cow's milk cheese made from a blend of mozzarella and cream. It's long been relegated to side dish or entrée roles, but here, it's finally the main character. The bar sources all its burrata from That's Amore Cheese, so you know it's going to be good.
If you haven't checked it out yet, autumn is the perfect time to pop in and say hello. The clever team has just unveiled a delectable new menu pairing the best of this season's produce with its plump burrata parcels, with ingredients like pumpkin, mushroom and chestnut giving us all the cosy autumn feels.
Try the Fico bowl (mortadella, fig jam, puffed rice, artichokes, burrata), Chicco bowl (endive, grapes, celery, hazelnut, burrata) or if you're after something a bit more substantial – the famous UGO sanga. It's loaded with porchetta, great big balls of burrata and generous lashings of salsa verde.
With foccacia, bagels and cured meats rounding out the optional extras menu, this is one market snack that could easily blow out into a satisfying lunch. There's even a dessert dish to make you swoon: the Black Forest bowl with choc sponge, cherry liquor, sour cherry and, you guessed it, burrata. Curious? Visit the South Melbourne Market website for a map of where to find UGO Burrata Bar.
