Spins, Spits and Swallows @ Royal Saxon

Location: 545 Church Street, Richmond,
Phone: 03 9429 5277
Link: http://www.royalsaxon.com/
Cuisine: Italian, Pub/Bar Food, Coffee
Overall Impression: 8/10

Lazy Sundays at Royal Saxon are now even more alluring with the launch of Spins, Spits and Swallows. Every Sunday from 12 pm to 8 pm in July and August, the Royal Saxon serves up succulent suckling pig pannini from the courtyard spit and a special 2 course, Sunday Spit Roast set menu on top of their delicious a la carte menu. 

The dining area is relaxed and wraps around a large central bar that dominates the interior. Striped napkins sit atop the bare wooden tables with views to Church Street... 

...or the Royal Saxon courtyard - where you might catch a glimpse of the delicious spit roast. 

Buzzing for lunch on a Sunday, the Royal Saxon is a great place to finish the weekend off, especially given the Sunday specials include $5 Birra Moretti, $5 Coldstream Cider, $10 Laurent Perrier and $10 Negronis. 

Nicola potato, smoked scamorza, pancetta, garlic and rosemary pizza

Thin base and quality minimalist toppings - the potato, scamorza and pancetta sing in harmony. 

Saxon Sunday Roast - Roasted suckling pig, roasted carrots and potatoes, cabbage and pancetta 

Fragrant, sweet and succulent, this slow roasted pork was winter comfort food at its best. Golden brown, blistered and crunchy, the pork crackling had us fighting for the last piece. 

Pan roasted snapper with nicola potatoes, porcini mushroom, vermentino and thyme

The roasted snapper was soft and succulent with crispy skin that had been seared to perfection. The earthy porcini mushrooms paired classically. A rustic, simple dish executed perfectly. 

Chestnut straccetti, crystal bay prawn, Hervey Bay scallops, tomato and marjoram 

Tried and true, the chestnut straccetti was silky and wonderfully al dente and the prawns and scallops were bursting with freshness. 

And nothing caps off a lazy Sunday lunch like decadent desserts and a cup of coffee.

Italian doughnuts with maraschino cherries and Varlhona chocolate

Sicilian cannoli, cassata mousse and candied orange

Royal Saxon's hearty modern Italian menu and sharp, friendly service makes it a perfect Sunday lunch destination. And now with Spins, Spits and Swallows for the months of July and August, there is even more reason to head down to the Royal Saxon and escape the winter cold with some crispy spit roasted pork and a drink or two.