What to pair it withGolden, crunchy and more than a little addictive, Lalla’s fried potatoes with aïoli are a common sight throughout the venue. If you’re drinking in a group, ordering a bowl of these right off the bat is the fastest way to attain hero status. Elsewhere on the piccolo, or “small”, section of the menu, the TFC (Tuscan fried chicken) is another good time, while the puffy, traditionally topped pizzas go wonderfully with lighter-bodied red wines and – in traditional Italian style – beer. If the occasion calls for more than snacks, rigatoni pasta with ragù is an ideal meal for one, while a hefty, golden-fried bone-in veal cotaletta cutlet deliciously channels the parmis of counter meals past.
Regular’s tipAlthough management has set its sights higher than your run-of-the-mill alehouse, team Lalla hasn’t lost sight of its pubby-ness, as proven by the welcome offer of happy hour that lets guests enjoy cut-price pints, wines by the glass and house spirits (5:00pm to 6:00pm, Tuesday to Thursday). While most of the action takes place in the public bar and atrium, the semi-hidden 20-seat wine bar is best for more intimate occasions. It’s also home to an outstanding selection of Italian and Australian wines – a nod to the two major influences that shape Lalla’s identity.
