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Cecconi's Cantina
Ph: (03) 9663 0222; 612 Flinders La, MELBOURNE 3000 www.cecconis.com
Italian, $$$
Open Mon-Fri noon-3.30pm; Mon-Sat 6-10.30pm; Licensed; AE DC MC V EFT, Seats inside 100, Outside seats, Private room 30
Chef Olimpia Bortolotto & Harry Lilai (7-11-07) Owner Bortolotto Family & Harry Lilal (7-11-07)
Photo: Tony Knox
Mietta's Review
Opens 30/8/06.
Other published opinions
Age Good Food Guide 2008 Score: 15/20, One Hat "When a restaurant moves premises you get to see its soul: which elements will be lovingly transposed and which shrugged off as just baggage"
Gourmet Traveller 2008 Australian Restaurant Guide "A game of musical chairs ensued in 2006, leaving Rockpool Bar & Grill in Cecconi's old Crown space, and Cecconi's in the mood-lit basement made famous by Langton's - and sitting very pretty"
The Age Dani Valent, 26-2-2007 "Cecconi's has taken over the basement space that used to be Langton's and, from the very first "bella, bellissima, good evening"as you descend the stairs, it feels right. Not much has changed in the rather brown main dining room beyond new carpet and a bit of a paint job, but the serious tones are leavened by marble details and Latin twinkle. Before a sip of prosecco passes my lips, I'm awash with cosy, super-fuzzy feelings. The menu is also on a feel-good track. It's a long but approachable mix of Italian restaurant standards."
Age Epicure Restaurants, John Lethlean, 24-10-06 Score: 15/20 "There are subtle decor changes - a bit of marble here, a bit of paint there but what you will notice immediately is the crowd.On a Tuesday night, it was difficult to reconcile the rollicking dining room with the sedate Langton's.That is the power of the Cecconi's brand, built over eight years at the casino. It doesn't seem quite fair. What Langton's owners had been hoping to achieve - a more accessible, unstitched city brasserie - has happened almost overnight for the new mob, although I'm sure restaurant matriarch Olimpia Bortolotto would argue nothing about the ongoing Cecconi's success story happened overnight."
Herald Sun Dining Out, Stephen Downes, 17/10/06 Score: 15/20 "Ceccani's Cantina continues the veteran Bartalatta restaurant family's spectacular caneen. You'll eat big and hefty servings of fairly pricey Latin-leaning tucker and be served impeccably. The wine list is long and fairly expensive, most battles priced beyond the 305 of dollars. Eight white table wines, a rose and six reds are sold by glass. The chairs should be replaced."
Herald Sun Eat, Bob Hart, 7-10-06 "With the addition of "Cantina" after the name, Cecconi's is prospering in a new home Langton's old Flinders Lane basement, into which it slid like a greased foot into a worn sandshoe.These premises, originally shaped around the brasserie aspirations of masterchef Philippe Mouchel"
Or perhaps ...
Cecconi's Cantina Victoria
Grossi Florentino Victoria
This really is a wonderful dining room. High decorated plaster ceilings, wood panelling, the famous murals, black clad waiters - it's a classic dining situation.
Il Solito Posto Victoria
You step down into the bistro at Il Solito Posto and perch either at the bar, under the head height windows or go down a couple more steps into the restaurant proper.
Sarti Victoria
A lovely rooftop space with courtyard serving simple but well executed dishes. There's also a cheaper bar menu.