Caffe Paparazzi, Malvern

Where would you guys go for a work lunch? Our group went to Caffe Paparazzi in Malvern to farewell some colleagues. It is located in Malvern shopping center with an outdoor dining area. Among my colleagues, many of them have checked the place out before and said heaps of good things about it. Well, if you ask me, I’d say a definite no to this place.

 

 

The inside decor is typical cafe style. The eatery offers breakfast as well as lunch and dinner. By reading through the menu, it’s very obvious it is very very Italian influenced cuisine.

 

I ordered salt and pepper calamari ($20), which was served with salad and chips.

 

 

Well, I should indeed say that this is THE WORST salt and pepper calamari I’ve ever had!!!!

1)The squid was bland and basically tasteless. Isn’t it salt and pepper? Why can’t I tell any saltiness nor any peppery taste? I thought maybe the shiraz I had has override the pepper but at least the salt?!!!!

2) The chips were SOGGY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It did not only occur to my dish, but also to three other colleagues’ dishes. THE chips were very soggy. They were soft and wet. You can’t even cut them successfully. Where’s the crunchiness chips supposed to have? Or even add a little bit of salt?

3) The citrus ailoi was not only a cream, but also a tasteless and plain sauce! After dipping the calamari pieces in, it did not enhance or change any single taste of the squid! TOO BAD!

It was not only me who didn’t like the food. A colleague sitting opposite me only had half of the dish and left it there. The one next to me said the caesar salad was very very very salty! Anchovies can’t make the dish overly overly salty, can they?!  Although the portion of food was big, Caffe paparazzi, you got to have it right! The taste is more important to diners!

Food: 1.5/5
Service: 3.5/5
Value: 2.5/5
Ambience: 2.5/5

Total: 10/20

 

Caffe Paparazzi

291 Unley Road
Malvern, SA 5061

P 08 8373 0743