Phil Rosenthal, international man of snacking and star of Netflix’s Somebody Feed Phil was in Melbourne last week, playing to a sold-out crowd of 2,500 food-loving souls at The Palais Theatre. And where did he do his pre-show snacking? The mighty Café Di Stasio, the St Kilda landmark and granddaddy to Rinaldo Di Stasio’s hopping city venue, Citta, and his off-Lygon pizzeria, Di Stasio Carlton.
And what more fitting snack for a personality who has built his brand around family than the Merenda, which is a tribute to the sandwich Di Stasio’s mum used to serve him as a kid after school: a tasty sliver of pan-fried veal schnitzel between slices of crustless white bread. Perfection wrapped in tinfoil.
The verdict? A signature Phil ear-to-ear smile: “That’s a mamma.”
Damn straight. Get yours at Citta on Spring Street, or, of course, at the St Kilda original. And please: call your parents and tell them all about it.
Café Di Stasio, 31 Fitzroy St, St Kilda, 03 9525 3999, distasio.com.au/st-kilda