Mezzalira

4 Below Average

Food  7      Ambience  5      Service  1      Value  3     

Went to Mezzalira with four friends last night (25 May 2012) to celebrate three birthdays. Service was very poor with (mainly) surly wait staff sometimes deigning to 'do a favour' for patrons after numerous, successful attempts to (deliberately?) avoid eye contact.

Food was of a good standard, but serve size for mains was mean, even for nouveau cuisine. Ambience was good until the front door opened and the gentle five degree wind blew into almost the whole restaurant. Overall value for money was low, saved from very poor by the quality of the food.

May 26, 2012 

3.5 Below Average

Food  3      Ambience  6      Service  4      Value  1     

We went here after seeing it in the good food guide. Was a mistake we won't make again. The food was very overpriced, the portions were small, in fact it was so small that my husband had to buy another meal from our hotel after we got back from dinner.
I ordered a glass of wine, and only got half a glass because the bottle was nearly empty when she poured it. I still paid $15 for the glass of wine. The food was very slow to come out, we waited on average 30-40 minutes between courses. Won't be back again.

Feb 12, 2012 

3.5 Below Average

Food  5      Ambience  5      Service  2      Value  2     

I can't understand why this restaurant keeps getting good reviews. We are a family of 6 celebrating an important event. We booked a table, were asked to come later than preferred and we did. The restaurant was not busy, but it took a Long time to order. Serving sizes were miniscule and very expensive. And it took 45 minutes between each course. We were so hungry between courses that when we finally got some food we could hardly enjoy it.

The food seemed average compared to other restaurants of this standard. However, the steak was a standout. Dessert very average. We ordered ice cream hoping it wouldn't take so long but it did.

The decor looks old and heavy. The waitress took our bottle of wine and refilled glasses so unevenly that when our dessert came she tried to empty the last half of the bottle at the late time! Very disappointing experience all round!

Aug 12, 2011 

6.8 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  7      Service  6      Value  6     

Food was very nice, but you do pay, particularly due to modest serves and a need to order sides. I've had mixed service. Our waitress last night asked "what exactly do you mean by dairy free?", struggled to remember and explain the specials and our wine arrived with our main.

Jul 10, 2011 

3.5 Below Average

Food  5      Ambience  5      Service  2      Value  2     

We have always found the service lacking at Mezzalira, but our most recent visit was the worst and will be our last. Pat, the owner, set the scene from the minute we walked in. On our arrival he barely looked up to acknowledge us and we were left standing there for a minute or two wondering whether we had walked into the right restaurant. His arrogance was palpable. From there things did not improve. The air conditioning was inadequate; the staff were inexperienced and unknowledgable; the pinot grigio was warm; reisling was poured into a glass that still held PG; our side dishes did not arrive until our meal was almost cold; one pasta dish (with yamba prawns)was bland and lacking in flavour. Most dishes were significantly overpriced. This is one Canberra restaurant that believes it is better than really is; and that service is optional,or selective. It does not deserve our return custom.

Feb 26, 2011 

3 Below Average

Food  5      Ambience  1      Service  1      Value  5     

I don't know of many restaurants in Canberra that I would Not recommend, but Mezzalira always comes to mind when warning fellow retauranteurs.

Aside from the constant inconsistencies in the presentation of their plates (unfortunately, I have been here several times, not by choice let that be clear), the service is always terrible, the menu is completely outdated and the wine list is boring!

The wait staff are unbelievably arrogant and when standing outside talking to a friend who came by the waiter came to usher me along before scuttling away red-faced when I asked if they'd like me to pop back inside fix the bill and grab my jacket before I left?

Restauranteur beware! Brooklyn Says "No!"

Dec 13, 2010 

7 Recommended

Food  7      Ambience  7      Service  7      Value  7     

Love it! Canberra's best Italian restaurant.!

Oct 08, 2010 

2.8 Not Recommended

Food  1      Ambience  4      Service  5      Value  1     

Disappointed, I won't be back! The food was served in tiny portions and overpriced, the senior staff was incredibly arrogant and rude upon paying for our meal and the cutlery on our table looked dirty. Overall Mezzalira did not live up to its fine dining reputation. Service below par.

Sep 10, 2010 

8 Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  7      Service  8      Value  8     

The degustation here was sensational. Simple dishes like a mushroom risotto were extraordinarily tasty. Usually I don't like meals that I can make myself at home, but each of these were way beyond my ability in terms of the depth of flavours. Matched wines were delicious and the service was perfectly paced. Recommended.

Jul 28, 2010 

9 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  8      Service  10      Value  9     

I have been coming to this canberra institution for many years on and off. I can only say that it keeps getting better every time I visit and my last visit only confirms this. Great food, great service. The only Italian restaurant in canberra that I would recommend.

Apr 23, 2010