On an uncharacteristically sunny Saturday in August, four friends decided to order and review Paninoteca.
Coburg isn’t known for its sandwiches, but maybe it should be. There are a number of local places that boast excellent sandwiches; O’Hea’s Bakery focaccias, True North’s reubens, 9 Meal Cafe’s falafel sandwiches, or Tasty Sub’s $1 toasted wrap. Going further north, however, is a store dedicated to the humble sandwich; Paninoteca. Located on Gaffney Street in Coburg, Paninoteca opened for business in October 2016 and has been reliably providing locals with Sicilian-style sandwiches, arancini and hand-cut chips ever since.
After a refreshingly simple and quick over-the-phone order, we picked up our panini from the red and white themed store that felt like it would fit in perfectly on a busy beach front. The ‘vegetariano’ ($16), two San Danielle prosciutto ($13), and the scotch fillet panini ($16) were swaddled safely in butchers paper and packed into a brown paper bag. A nice touch — one that lessened the shock of receiving such hefty panini. These panini were big.
The vegetariano is a warm panino with marinated peppers, eggplant and mushrooms, roasted fennel, rocket and tomato and a generous spread of pesto. Most vegetarian sandwiches are either very rudimentary or they go the opposite way and have very fancy fake cheeses and meats. This panino was packed with flavour and did not leave the vegetarian feeling as though they were missing out on anything.
The scotch fillet panino is also warmed with caciocavallo cheese, onion, rocket and balsamic vinegar. Steak sandwiches can often be bland, but this panino was flavourful; the steak was tender, had a good amount of fat and a nice smokey flavour. It was also so juicy that there was an after-meal shirt change.
The San Danielle prosciutto panini is a cold sandwich with buffalo mozzarella, tomato and pesto. This panini was creamy and mild. The prosciutto was good, but the panino was lacking “something”; pepper? Moisture? Whatever was missing was minor, as this was a great, classic panino.
Although these panini sit at a higher price point than other sandwiches around Coburg, the Paninoteca panino should not be treated as a simple ‘I’ll just have a sandwich today for lunch’ affair. This decision requires commitment, and a place to sit down. Paninoteca use soft, well-cooked and thick white Italian bread. Potentially a crunchier and thinner roll might be welcomed, but the bread chosen is distinct, visually appealing and satisfying.
Overall, we were very happy with our panini experience; we will be back and we would recommend locals head there, too. The panini selected were simple and like something you might make at home, but the nicer version of it.
Maybe it was a coincidence, but it is worth mentioning that our previously sick-feeling friend ate her panino and felt restored.
PRO TIP: don’t take this panino completely out of its wrapping, even for dramatic effect. It will become difficult to manage and you’ll get eggplant juice all over the new bed sheets that you bought to make yourself feel better – I mean suit pants.
Paninoteca
130 Gaffney Street, Coburg
8354 7541
By Saln Sabagar
The Coburg Meddler 