A GTG at Scopri Italian Restaurant

Scopri
191 Nicholson Street
Carlton
VIC 3053
Ph : (03) 9347 8252

A week after having spent a few days in Melbourne, I found myself there again for the Melbourne Watchband’s end of year dinner last month, having been talked into the overnight visit by a watch friend in Perth who would also be there for the occasion.

They'd booked out the private room at the top of Scopri, an Italian restaurant in Carlton which, happily, is BYO, allowing the wine buffs to bring a bottle or two. Despite being a group of 15 in the private room (or floor, rather), there was no requirement to abide by a set group menu, so apart from some shared starters, we chose from the a la carte menu. 

First up were some shared primi piatti:

Insalata caprese

Simple sweet flavours of good tomatoes, plenty of basil, good buffalo mozzarella.

Affettato di Bresaola di Wagyu

Local air dried Wagyu beef Bresaola with rocket, parmesan & cherry tomato salad

Unfortunately, because I was so distracted by trying talking and watches, I only managed to get one slice of the bresaola. Suffice to say that I wish that there'd been more of this smooth, rich charcuterie.

SIHH 2012 : Philippe Dufour/ Robert Greubel/ Steven Forsey collaboration

Before you all fall off your seats, no, this is not a collaboration on a new watch.

Instead, it's a joint venture by the three individuals in the title to establish a training program for established watchmakers to learn the "old skills" which are rapidly disappearing as a result of increased automation, CNC machines etc.

For now I will just post some quick snaps. A separate room has been set up at the Greubel Forsey booth at SIHH 2012 and in it, I found the maestro himself with his new disciple (whose name I did not record, but he is an established watchmaker and teacher at a watchmaking school).

As I was snapping, Steven Forsey turned up to inspect things.

Will report more about this when I have a little more info.

Much more to come...stay tuned....same Tart-time, same Tart-channel.

[Tony P]