Quattro Formaggi Deli, Mosman

A few days ago it was my birthday.  We had planned a family dinner somewhere cheap, cheerful and local for the mid-week celebration however,  on the day of my birthday, Arabella announced that that night she had a work shift and so instead, could she take me out for lunch.  How lovely! It’s just that as we were walking to the cafe, Arabella said, ‘I do want to take you out for lunch, mum, it’s just I can’t afford it.  Do you mind paying?’

Quattro Formaggi Mosman

Quattro Formaggi, Mosman

Standard. Anyway, the thought was there.

I love the wine barrels

I love the wine barrels

We walked to Quattro Formaggi Deli which a few years ago was just that, a deli, but recently they applied for a liquor licence and did some rearranging of the interior to make room for a cafe.

The large open window letting the outside, in.

The large open window letting the outside, in.

You can sit outside at tables lined along the footpath but alas, it wasn’t the warmest of days and the tables aren’t in the sun.  Inside the cafe feels quite spacious as there is an area where you can sit on a bar stool in front of a wide-opening window.  But we didn’t sit there, nor did we sit on the very comfortable leather couches; instead we sat at a regular table so we could not only see each other but have talkies too.

Comfy lounges and then there's the cheese counter

Comfy lounges and then there’s the cheese counter

We started with a drink.  Arabella ordered the passionfruit and mint smoothie that she said was very refreshing and just what she needed after the intensive rowing training she had done that morning.  As it was my birthday, I thought the occasion deserved a glass of Prosecco which was served just how I like it; very chilled.

Passionfruit and mint smoothie $6.00.  Glass of Prosecco $12.00.

Passionfruit and mint smoothie $6.00. Glass of Prosecco $12.00.

We started with a selection of antipasto.  The menu details all the antipasto items available and you just make your selection and they bring it to you on a board.  Be warned; it quickly adds up!  We chose parma prosciutto, a very hot calypso salami and some marinated mushrooms.  It was well presented on a board and came with a few slices of grain bread.

A selection of antipasto $21.00

A selection of antipasto $21.00

After doing a 3km swim squad that morning, I was ravenous and really wanted something substantial and hot for lunch.  I ordered the special of the day which was chicken parmigiana that was topped with roasted eggplant and crispy bacon.  I loved how it was stacked really high but I would have liked a few greens on the side and I thought the portion of chicken schnitzel was quite tiny.

Chicken Parmigiana

Chicken Parmigiana

Arabella ordered the roast pumpkin with baby spinach, poached egg and goat’s feta salad with basil dressing.  While it looked good, sadly the egg wasn’t runny and it does seem that with poached eggs, there’s always that sigh of disappointment when you get a dry result after sticking you knife into the yolk.  She really enjoyed the basil dressing with the pumpkin and feta.

Pumpkin Salad $16.00

Pumpkin Salad $16.00

There’s always room for something sweet and Arabella ordered the blueberry crumble muffin that was moist and served warm.  All cakes and pastries are made elsewhere in their off-site kitchen then shipped to one of their three delis in Sydney.

Blueberry Crumble Muffin

Blueberry Crumble Muffin

I ordered the ricotta cheesecake that was more dry than I would have liked.  There was also a lot of citrus peel in the cheesecake that I wasn’t expecting as it wasn’t mentioned on the menu.  It came with a scoop of vanilla gelato and this was smooth and creamy and I preferred it to the cheesecake.

Ricotta Cheesecake

Ricotta Cheesecake

Then it was school pick-up time and so Arabella went up to pay the bill, with my card!  She even left a tip. The service was very friendly with one waiter even suggesting Arabella apply for a job – standard; however it was a little inattentive and slow at times.  Quattro Formaggi doesn’t have anything on the menu that will take you by surprise but it is a lovely place to relax and unwind at the end of the day.  There are some interesting Italian wines available by the glass and enjoyed with an antipasto platter, can make for a great way to kickstart your weekend. Verdict:  A great place for a drink. Quattro Formaggi Deli, Mosman:  3/803 Military Road, Mosman NSW 2088 Ph:  02 9960 3555

The cafe

The cafe

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Comments

  1. Oh, this makes me miss Sydney… 🙂 I’m glad you went somewhere relaxing!

  2. HAPPY BIRTHDAY… I do hope you are making a week of it, and celebrating every day with special treats and fun times. 🙂 Haha, oh bless Arabella, that is so something my bro would do, but he’d stitch me up, and I’d end up having to pay. I absolutely adore the pumpkin salad, I love eggs tho, so that dish would be winner even if it had brussel sprouts in it. Wishing you a wonderful weekend Charlie. 🙂

  3. Happy Birthday Charlie! I hope your card didn’t pay for your birthday present too 🙂

  4. Happy Birthday, Charlie!!! Hope you had a fabulous one despite having to pay for it yourself. I’m always in the same boat too, but it’s the thought that counts.
    Lunch looked delicious and the atmosphere is really nice. Cosy and spacious at the same time.
    My birthday is next week… Wondering what I’ll be paying for 🙂

  5. Happy birthday Charlie. At least Arabella let you know right at the start that you’d be paying. Sounds like you had a good time even though the food wasn’t perfect.

  6. Birthday Lunch with your daughter, how lovely! I love the couch…what a nice way to relax and unwind. Both your dishes look fabulous! And dessert is a MUST for your birthday! Happy Birthday, Charlie!! xoxo

  7. A belated Happy Birthday, Charlie!

    How sweet that you could lunch with your daughter, even if she used your card.

  8. A very happy birthday to you!!!

  9. Arabella was so sweet and knew where to take you :). The place looks really comfy. Happy birthday, Charlie!

    Julie
    Gourmet Getaways

  10. Happy birthday, Charlie. 🙂

    Guess it IS the thought that counts if you have to pay for your own b’day lunch. You’re definitely paying it forward. It’s a shame the meal wasn’t a bit more impressive.

  11. Happy Birthday! The amount of times we have taken my mum out for her birthday or Mother’s Day and she’s had to pay is immeasurable! We now cook for her instead, as my brother is training to be a chef, it’s usually pretty good.

  12. Any parent has been there. I remember years ago Alan calling me and asking me if I had any money lying around not doing anything and if so could he borrow it.

    I also know I would pay ten times over for the pleasure of having a birthday lunch with one of my children.

  13. OH GOD CITRUS PEEL IN THE CHEESECAKE

    that would be my ultimate betrayal

  14. Happy belated birthday, Charlie – did not realize both of us are Geminis! Figures 🙂 !! Nice place and the chicken actually looks quite moreish!!!!!

  15. Happy birthday Charlie! I am sure with time, your birthday lunches (and dinners) will be paid for by your children, but am glad Arabella at least had the thought for this year 😉 It sounds like the food was average, but hopefully the occasion nonetheless enjoyable.

  16. Happy birthday Charlie. Wishing you a wonderful and happy love filled year ahead.
    🙂 Mandy xo

  17. Happy Birthday indeed sweetie! I’m glad you had such a nice time taking Arabella out for lunch, and how thoughtful of you to be so generous as to leave a tip and share the love. As Arabella was footing the bill perhaps you should have ordered lobster or steak, and maybe a few more drinky-poos, after all, it’s the thought that counts- and if you’d thought a bit quicker you could have put it all on Carl’s card! I’m sure if he had thought of it he would be glad to pay for you to pay for Arabella not paying to take you out to lunch 🙂 xox

  18. I feel like you deserved a be pampered for your birthday, and what could be better than having your family around you 😀
    Sounds lovely and relaxing!

    Cheers
    Choc Chip Uru

  19. A belated happy birthday, Charlie. It is the thought that counts, I’m sure, at least when it comes to our children! Time together is priceless. It looks like the atmosphere did outweigh the presentation and delivery, but I think Arabella’s salad held appeal to me…maybe without the egg? LOL!

  20. Happy (really) belated birthday! I had seen the picture on IG but didn’t realize you were celebrating your brithday (by taking yourself out to lunch, hehe)

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