Da Massimo, Bentleigh

Keeping locals on that side of the Nepean Highway. Italian pizzas at their best.

4 / 5 yums! 
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Where? 189 Centre Rd, Bentleigh, VIC
What? Medium $14, Large $18

Baked In, South Melbourne

Pizzas that are somewhere between the old Pizza Hut pan fried and traditional thin crust with toppings that adequately cover the crisp bread base.



Chicken Avocado



Special

3 / 5 yums!
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Where? 187 Clarendon Street, South Melbourne, VIC
What? Medium $16, Large $20

Ladro, Prahran

For too long I’ve admired from afar. Now that there’s a 2nd branch in Prahran there was no excuse.



Minimalist, yet edgy with distressed brickwork makes this joint a class act.



Peas and prawn – sweetness from both. Marvellous.



Meat ragu with peas – deliciously rich yet not overwhelming. Peas are awesome!

Ladro where have you been all my life?


4 / 5 yums!
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Where? 162 Greville Street, Prahran, VIC
What? Around $20

Fazio’s, Hampton

Everyone’s got a smile on their face at Fazio’s. I can only put it down to one of two things. Either there’s a little packet of joy with each serving. Or it’s laced with LSD.



Regardless of the drug, it’s a bustling local Italian offering pizzas that are traditionally thin based, topped with simple, but on the more generous side, flavourings.



Calamari



Pastas are good too, again minimal ingredients but enough to satisfy.



Although the generosity this time with the cream in the gnocchi was enough to fulfil the calcium quota for the day.

Legalised food for the soul where everyone leaves happy.


3.5 / 5 yums!
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Where? 462 Hampton Street, Hampton, VIC
What? Pizzas and mains around $15-25

Va Bene Pizzeria, Docklands

Feels like it could be a pumping bar, but instead you’ll find simple, tasty Italian, at a reasonable price on a prime Dockland’s strip.



Thin crust pizzas with nice toppings.



Rigatoni and meatballs: can’t go wrong.


3 / 5 yums!
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Where? T10 Shed 9 Central Pier 161 Harbour Esplanade, Docklands, VIC
What? Around $15-20

Caffe Esc, Docklands

There are easier ways for the folk at ANZ and Myer to escape than to win Tattslotto, or jump off the 9th floor. Into a 20 metre pool with pool side deck chairs and iced coconuts. All they have to do now is hit ctrl + alt + delete, enter, go down the lift and head to Caffe Esc. Making use of a little wedge underneath the environmentally friendly ANZ centre, it’s a sophisticated café while still maintaining a sense of accessibility. Coffee is quality, along with the gourmet sandwiches, pastries and freshly cooked simple Italian plates.



Rigatoni and chicken



Risotto



Meatballs: nice


3.5 / 5 yums!
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Where? ANZ Centre, 833 Collins St, Docklands, VIC
What? Dishes around $15

Mezzo, Melbourne

Oyster has gone under the surgeon’s knife for a bit of a mini makeover and the result is Mezzo. The face lift has done the place a world of good. The food still has the same ticker but the presentation applied is rustic or clean and sharp when it needs to be.




Scallops and risotto



Squid



Arancini balls



Tortellini



Pork Ensemble



That’s a man’s steak



Duck and Pumpkin Puree



Mmmmmm chocolate

I like the new look.


3.5 / 5 yums!
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Where? 35 Little Bourke Street, Melbourne, VIC

Grossi Florentino, Melbourne

So we ate here in August 2010, but it’s still worth sharing the night out.



It’s the one place in Melbourne where you can dress like King Henry IV or Elizabeth I and not feel out of place. Venetian breeches and daggar sleeves would be so in amongst the Renaissance charm in Guy Grossi’s upstairs restaurant. It is the “occasion” venue with a great ambience that’s punctuated by roaring renditions of happy birthday from the waiters, men on bended knees and opulent food to occasionally match.



Amuse Bouche: Smoked Salmon Pate



Lobster, Buffalo Mozzarella, Marinated Yolk “Cracco”, Basil Seeds, Caviar, Tomato Butter: sweet medallion of lobster with a sticky marinated yolk that’s the texture and colour of blue and yellow play-doh. Believe it or the lightest disk of the night.



Sardines ‘Pangrattato’, Crab, Speck, Watermelon, Balsamic, Tomato Sorbet



Pine Needle Smoked Quail, Jamon, Fregola (pasta), Agresto (verjuice based sauce) Pine Nut Oil, Toasted Pine Nuts



Risotto ‘Venere’: could have been a creamy black rice red bean pudding but for the parmesan sabayon and chunk of morton bay bug. My pick of the night.



Glenloth Pigeon – Breast and Leg Ravoli, Black Cabbage, Cardamom and Liquorice Powder, Beetroot, Cous Cous



Wagyu Rump Cap, Pickled Veal tongue, Shallot and Potato “Saltate”, Fennel and Rosemary Praline, Salsa Verde



Buffalo Ricotta slice, Pumpkin, 30 year old Balsamic, Amaretto crisp, Amerena Cherries, Roast Quince



Valrhora Chocolate Souffle, Malt ice cream, Chocolate Sauce



Petit Fours

It’s classical fine dining that’s well and truly stuck in the old world. You won’t see the peaks and troughs in flavours like more contemporary competitors… you’re hit with richness that gets richer. Though given the price tag, it’s an experience this glutton can only afford once.


3 / 5 yums!
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Where? 80 Bourke St, Melbourne, VIC
What? Five courses $140, Eight Courses $195