Caffe Nuvolari

Mietta's Eating & Drinking in Melbourne 2000

Contributors' Choice
Page 52

Opened in February, this traditional Italian café is what we have all been waiting for in Albert Park. Nuvolari serves simple and traditional Italian food made from quality ingredients and served by well-groomed and efficient waiting staff. In the kitchen the chefs all converse in their mother tongue (Italian) as they are hard at work preparing breakfast, lunch and dinner. The advantage of this café is there are no set rules for ordering off the three menus (breakfast all day, and a blackboard with lunch and dinner specials). If you feel like breakfast late in the afternoon, depending on how busy the kitchen is with the lunch orders, then they will be more than happy to whip you up Uova in Umido (poached eggs cooked in onion and fresh tomato salsa served with ciabatta bread). Simple fresh grilled seafood, oven-cooked veal and carpaccio all appear on the dinner menu along with one the best tiramisu desserts I have had since living in Italy. The attention to detail is impeccable at Nuvolari including a functional centre bar, framed Formula 1 prints lining the walls and well-positioned lighting. These experienced Italian owners have produced an environment perfect for the local market and those who can't travel regularly overseas for this real Italian experience. Out back is a bit scruffy but the courtyard gets the afternoon sun and tables and chairs line the front sidewalk.