Mietta's Guide to Australian Restaurants
LocationPellegrini's
Ph: 9662 1885; 66 Bourke St, MELBOURNE 3000
Italian, $, *** for Ambience
Open mon-sat 8am-11.30pm sun noon-8pm, Closed Some public holidays; Unlicensed; MC V; No bookings
Photo: Tony Knox
Mietta's Review
Everyone goes to Pellegrini, it is an essential part of the city. This classic Italian espresso bar is a joy and a treasure. Unchanged in decades and still serving large, honest dishes of pasta, minestrone and salads. Excellent coffee, freshly squeezed orange juice, granitas and apple strudel round out the dining experience. The long bar at which you sit gazing at yourself in the gold backed mirrors is very democratic - seating politicians and paupers alike - and always very busy.
Other published opinions
The Age Cheap Eats 2009 "What do you want? Spaghetti?' Nonna, tending vats at the stovetop, doesn't turn to face her kitchentable customers; she offers no menus"
The Age Cheap Eats 2008 "Melbourne has a few icons: the MCG, trams, pats of Carlton . . . and Pellegrini's"
The Age Cheap Eats 2007 "It might be stuck in 1954, and the white-shirted waiters have been behind that counter so long they can barely be bothered turning in your direction, but walk in at lunch when all the stools are taken and - bang! - your coffee or just-squeezed OJ is handed over almost before you've ordered it and - bang! - here's your bowl of spaghetti bolognese, gnocchi primavera or other sugo-rich pasta."
The Age Cheap Eats 2006 Pellegrini's is a real contradiction: on the one hand it's as Melbourne as the football; on the other, there's no quicker way to leave town than to step inside this tiny cafe. In an instant you are in Rome
The Age Cheap Eats 2005 "IT'S un-Melburnian not to call Pellegrini's an institution. So many have come to love the faded photos of Italy, faux marble and staff who owe more to Rome's Trastevere than Bourke Street."
The Foodies' Guide 2004,Allan Campion & Michele Curtis,'The original and definately one of the best.For a heart-stopping espresso,this is the place.'
The Age Cheap Eats 2004,Good Bar,Somewhere really special,'Same as it ever was.Regulars can recite daily the daily specials-spinach and ricotta cannelloni makes a guest appearance on Tuesdays and gnocchi cameos on Fridays.There's a communal table in the kitchen,where the cooks are happy to oblige with extra cheese for your spaghetti.'
The Age, A2, 6/12/03, John Weldon,'Eating at Pellegrini's is as cool as it ever was, and so is their food.'
VE+T, March April 2003,'Old Italy in a city cafe.'
The Sunday Age, The 2003 Rugby World Cup, Jane Faulkner,'The food is simple, honest and hearty Italian fare'
Or perhaps ...
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