Centro Cafe Restaurant

Ph: (03) 9699 5904; 225 Clarendon St, South Melbourne 3205 www.centroristorante.com.au

Italian, $$, * for Ambience
Open Mon-Fri noon-3pm; Mon-Sat 6-10pm, Closed Some public holidays; Licensed, BYO, Corkage $7 bottle; AE DC MC V, Seats inside 145, Outside seats, Private rooms 35,12
Chef Luca Smith (7-11-07) Owner Pietro & Ruth Caluzzi (7-11-07)

Mietta's Review
Since 1975 owner Pietro Caluzzi has been greeting his clientele, most of them regulars, at this much loved restaurant in South Melbourne. The menu features traditional Italian dishes from Pietro's native Emilia Romagna region. The carte, may be short but well prepared offering the usual suspects, and if you don't find anything that takes your fancy ask for the specials of the day for something interesting. The room is comfortable and the service attentive, this is a lovely spot for a long lunch.

Other published opinions

Age Good Food Guide 2008 Score: 13/20 "For 30 years, first as Marcellino, then as Centro, this small South Melbourne stalwart has dished up northern Italian food in a cosy, if unchallenging, atmosphere"

The Age Good Food Guide 2006 score 13/20 "Big-hearted Italian hospitality and great food are the foundations of Centro's enduring popularity. Long-lunching advertising execs make up the bulk of the daytime crowd while evening draws urbane locals to this warm-toned gem lined with contemporary' paintings. Check how big the entrees are before ordering, as most are large enough for two to share. The menu, primarily northern Italian in inspiration, changes every two to three months"

Herald Sun Eat Bob Hart 17/9/05 "Owned for the past 15 years by Pietro Caluzzi and his wife Ruth, and with the gifted and fastidious chef Luke Smith in the kitchen, this restaurant is a treasure."

The Age Good Food Guide 2005 "Dishes on the handwritten menu are neither over-seasoned nor sauced; still, you couldn't call them subtle; this is robust northern Italian fare with some local influence. "

AGFG 2004, score 13/20, excellent wine list

Herald Sun, sundaymagazine, dining, Graham Pearce, 29/6/03, Score 7/10

The Age Good Food Guide 2003. Score 13/20