La Tana Spritz Bar & Restaurant

‘Aperitivo’ occupies the no man’s land between lunch and dinner when all you feel like is a snackette and something drinkable to get your evening off to a good start. Cue La Tana, the Italian bar and restaurant that aims to please with a selection of nibbles-​to-​share and euro cocktails at very decent prices.
The bona fide Italian owners of this simple joint specialise in meals and bevvies from Venice and its surrounds, like their prosecco-​based spritz with aperol (light) or campari (stronger) finished with a wedge of orange.
Meanwhile, the fried calamari was piping hot and crispy with a side of apple aioli (the advertised fruit flavour, not so detectable) and cheese croquettes were fluffy, cheesy little balls encased in a light yet crunchy shell. Duck spiedini (aka skewers) were a little on the dry side but well seasoned, while the accompanying jerusalem artichoke dip tasted a few-​days-​old fizzy.
The corner spot can be a little less than relaxing at the apex of Cleveland and Bourke Streets, but with a drink in hand and food coming in at about $ 20 for very decent portion sizes we had no problem taking to the barrel tables outside during our meal.