Signature Series: Fondata 1872’s Pan-Fried Gnocchi

The Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges offer a vast range of award-winning wines and cocktails, quality multicultural dishes, restaurants and cafes showcasing local produce and culinary talent, creating the food we love to eat.

If you’re dining in our region, take the time to discover these incredible signature dishes and the unique stories behind what makes them some of the best bites and bevs.

Set in Kangaroo Ground, Fondata 1872 offers diners food by the fireplace in their dining room and wine bar paired with Italian-inspired dishes created with care using seasonal and local Australian produce.

The perfect place to spend a leisurely afternoon or evening meal, Fondata 1872 is also much loved for its welcoming spirit and function space where many locals have celebrated a wedding, milestone birthday or special occasion. Boasting a bluestone cellar and tasting room, a function room, stunning views of Kangaroo Ground’s rolling hills and a large lawn area, it’s an ideal spot for bringing family and friends together.

Pan-Fried Gnocchi with Pumpkin, Sage & Walnut

A firm menu favourite, the gnocchi is made fresh daily from scratch. As a bonus, it’s also gluten-free and vegetarian, putting it on the menu of even more diners. With flavour alchemist and head chef Aloke Kharbanda at the helm, diners can expect incredible quality. Aloke’s culinary journey started in Australia 15 years ago. He honed his talents under the likes of chef Shannon Bennett at his flagship restaurant Vue de Monde and another regional favourite, Levantine Hill, before making his way to Fondata 1872.

Aloke is passionate about cooking everything from scratch using the best products and suppliers possible, including seasonal produce.

“The pan-fried gnocchi represents Fondata as everything is made from scratch, something Fondata is passionate about. The flavours are very simple but complement each other. The dish plays with the different textures, using two or three ingredients, pumpkin, sage, and walnuts with the gnocchi, to make such a delicious dish, not over-complicating the dish so that the flavours speak for themselves. It's an earthy, natural dish that is all handmade.”

Guests are able to try the dish anytime during opening hours on the a la carte menu.