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Donnini's
Ph: (03) 9347 3128; 320 Lygon St, Carlton 3053
Italian, $$
Open 7 days midday-10pm, Closed Christmas, & Easter; Licensed; Seats inside 48, Private rooms 30, 15
Mietta's Review
From a tiny kitchen on the second floor of the University Coffee Lounge (now Universita) in the 60s, the Donnini family legend for delectable pasta began. It moved to Drummond Street, and in 2002 moved back to Lygon Street right across the road from where it all began. This new premises are clean, light filled and airy, all marble, mirrors and vaulted ceilings. The friendly welcome and the certainty that you are going to be fed well warms the heart. It is a very busy restaurant, with a legion of enthusiastic regulars so it's wise to book on any night of the week. The menu lists pasta dishes and a range of entrees and mains, but to understand Donnini's core attraction the Trio of pasta dish, is a must.
Other published opinions
The Age, Epicure, 9/12/03, Matt Preston,'The kind of straightforward Italian restaurant you hope to find in Italy- a noisy, cheerful family-run place which serves decent food.'
Sunday Age, Eat Streets, Dani Valent, 3/11/02. "Carlton's famous food strip has indigenous and thai accents alonglide its celebrated Italian."
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