7 Reasons why......
1. Seafood Dining at its best
Here at Esposito at Toofey’s we are flying the flag for quality seafood dining in Victoria.
Our philosophy embraces the highest quality control that begins with the fishermen and our suppliers who Maurice Esposito purchases from.
2. Only sustainable fishes, and fresh, fresh, fresh.
We live on this planet together and with this in mind we want to protect what we have for our children and future generations so we serve only sustainable fish species that have been killed immediately to reduce stress and then rapidly chilled to maintain freshness. The preferred method to achieve this condition is to be brain-spiked (a Japanese method called iki-jime). The outcome for the diner is an offering of fish so sparkling fresh that it is the closest you can get to catching it yourself! Our shellfish are live and killed in our kitchen using the brain- spiking technique. So when you order our mud crab salad with avocado, green apple and spinach essence, the crab is as fresh and sweet as you can get it. We guarantee it, and our seafood suppliers guarantee it. Our spinach is grown by Andrew Wood from Glenora Heritage Farm fame and is an heirloom variety that is the lowest in oxalic acid, giving you spinach of incomparable flavour and brilliant colour. Esposito's mother Maria, grows many of the herbs and salads, and in summer we have her tomatoes from seeds brought over from Italy when they arrived in 1969. Her lettuces are on our menu many months of the year. During the summer you will be able to enjoy Maria's caramelized tomatoes and zucchini blossoms with the John Dory.
3. The Australian Story
Quality never comes second to price. We choose Australian produce where ever we can regardless of what it costs us.
Undertaking a continual search for the best produce available from around Australia, we serve olive oil from the Grampians, L’abruzzese pasta from South Australia, white sea salt from Victoria and Australian Woodbridge smoked trout, smoked in Tasmania over organic apple wood. Our focus is to use the food artisans in our country who are committed to fresh, quality product.
When it comes to mineral water we have what we believe is the cleanest water on Earth. Cape Grim rain water blows in from the Antarctic and is captured and stored before the earth's atmosphere can pollute it. Cape Grim is arguably cleaner than any mineral or spring water. "Even the ice you put in it will pollute it". Cape Grim is located north of Antarctica, on the north west tip of Tasmania and receives air that has travelled 16,000 kilometers across nothing but the freezing Southern Ocean. The first land the air reaches in north west Tasmania, in Cape grim.
The coffee we offer is Eureka Coffee. Premium quality Australian arabica, organic and grown in the hinterlands of Byron Bay NSW without pesticides and fungicides, utilizing only certified organic fertilizers, the coffee is sent to Melbourne where is is roasted in small batches to meet weekly demand. All coffee is provided to customers at its optimal freshness.
4. Experience and expertise of Maurice Esposito
With 21 years experience, Maurice Esposito has evolved his own unique style of cooking. His love of seafood and shellfish is evident and his passion for the sea is fuelled from working with the best ingredients he can find and his style has developed through paying homage to the produce. The produce and the chef help each other be the best they can be.
When you order the King George Whiting what you receive is whiting from South Australia and it is filleted to order. The fish is so fresh you can taste it in the texture and flavour of the flesh whether it’s in a gossamer fine batter or served whole, smothered with harissa.
5. Location, location, location
Located in the heart of the early Melbourne food scene in Carlton, the restaurant is a walk from the city centre and its many hotels. It is in Carlton that the push for Italian food and serious cooking took seed and grew... From the early Italian immigrants who migrated here with the best intentions to Stephanie Alexander at Jamaica House in Lygon Street and the early Mietta’s in North Fitzroy, it is an area rich in history and flavour.
For Esposito to take residence in the corner building that was seafood pioneer Michael Bacash’s Toofeys restaurant for 15 years is only fitting.
6. The ultimate, relaxed dining experience
We are determined to provide excellent service that makes you feel like you are at home with friends. The smart, relaxed seafood dining experience offers you a warm atmosphere with artwork from Tom Samek and Nevin Hirik. Safarti chandeliers take centre stage in both the upstairs and downstairs dining rooms and tables invite comfort with double cloths and Villeroy and Boch crockery.
For Esposito cooking is about giving to people. Nothing gives him greater pleasure than to see people around the table, breaking bread with friends and family and enjoying themselves. To know that our customers are eating great Australian produce only adds to this joy.
7. BYO and our guarantee
We offer you the option of bringing your own wine or ordering from our wine list. We think you should have the choice. We are also in the quest for the freshest seafood and in conjunction with Clamms Seafoods and Spencer Wilkinson we guarantee the quality of our seafood. If you don't think you have received seafood of the very best quality and freshness then we will refund the cost of your dish.
Esposito, Clamms Seafood and Spencer Wilkinson are proud to fly the flag for quality seafood in Victoria.
Awarded Best Seafood Restaurant 2008 by the Restaurant and Catering Association.