‘Aperitivo’ occupies the no man’s land between lunch and dinner when all you feel like is a snackette and something drinkable to get your evening off to a good start. Cue La Tana, the Italian bar and restaurant that aims to please with a selection of nibbles-to-share and euro cocktails at very decent prices. The bona fide Italian owners of this simple joint specialise in meals and bevvies from Venice and its surrounds, like their prosecco-based spritz with aperol(light) or campari(stronger) finished with a wedge of orange. Meanwhile, the fried calamari was piping hot and crispy with a side of apple aioli(the advertised fruit flavour, not so detectable) and cheese croquettes were fluffy, cheesy little balls encased in a light yet crunchy shell. Duck spiedini(aka skewers) were a little on the dry side but well seasoned, while the accompanying jerusalem artichoke dip tasted a few-days-old fizzy. The corner spot can be a little less than relaxing at the apex of Cleveland and Bourke Streets, but with a drink in hand and food coming in at about $ 20 for very decent portion sizes we had no problem taking to the barrel tables outside during our meal.
