Caffe E Cucina

Ph: (03) 9827 4139; 581 Chapel St, SOUTH YARRA 3141 www.caffeecucina.com.au

Italian, $$, * for Food & Ambience
Open Mon-Sat: 7am-11pm; Sun 8am-11pm, Closed Some public holidays; Licensed; Seats inside 60, Outside seats 10, Private room 36, Kids welcomed

Mietta's Review
Caffe e Cucina in its current form is a very nice little restaurant. It has lost the excitement and buzz of its earlier days: now it has a tranquillity that is quite seductive. The big bar leaves room for only a few crowded tables in the small shopfront. The walls are covered in big period posters, the lighting is the lowest in Melbourne and the footpath has tables for smokers. Service from the white-jacketed waiters is careful and concerned. The menu offers some slightly over-the-top choices, but the food that comes is quite good, and for Chapel St, outstanding. The price is a little more than at other (inferior) restaurants in the vicinity. This is the best modern cafe in the area.

Other published opinions

AGFG 2004, score 12/20, excellent breakfasts and wine list The Age Good Food Guide 2003. Score 12/20.

The Age, 29.05.01, John Lethlean review "A shadow of its former self" Score: 11/ 20

The Sunday Age 12.12.99, author unknown "Getting a table here is hard enough - but try landing this one. Call it the utlimate in trendy alfresco dining; caffe e cucina's balcony has room for just one little perch, and even then they'll only let you sit ut here when the weather allows them to leave the doors to the dining room open . Hence it's only available on still and balmy summer nights. Nevertheless once you're squeezed into the tiny space the culinary equivalent of sitting in the royal box at the theatre. Look up at the night sky, into the top storeys of the buildings across the way or down the tops of the bronzed and beautiful passing below and sip a glass of 1997 Tarwin Ridge Sauvignon Blanc ($8), with a sharp and tasty gelato al parnagaiano (parmisan cheese icecream with esto grissini and crostini ($11.80). Move on to a plate of linguini with mushroom ragu and black truffle ($14.80) or go for broke with char-grilled rib eye of beef with roasted garlic and extra virgin olive oil (23.80). Just don't eat too much or you'll never get off the balcony when your ready to go home.

Sydney Morning Herald, 07.12.99, Terry Durack "Melbourne does casual dining better than any city I know, its cafe scene is so rich and varied that Sydney's few gems can start looking very lonely. Still pumpin' old stagers such as the caffe e cucina"