Italy 1 Melbourne

User Reviews of Italy 1, Melbourne

Displaying: 1 - 10 of 11 reviews

6.3 Average

Food 7 Ambience 6 Service 7 Value 5

The first visit we had 3 years ago was wonderful and unforgettable so we decided to have dinner there on our 5th year anniversary and we were very disappointed. The ambiance has changed. Before, it was darker, more intimate but now, it's brighter, more like a bistro or cafe. And the food... what happened? We didn't enjoy it. It was good but we were expecting more, that's why. It's like they lost their sense of intimacy in their ambiance and food.

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Nov 08, 2011

TwoMains
'Husband and wife Melbourne-based food critics'
2

2 Not Recommended

Food 1 Ambience 3 Service 3 Value 1

Quite possibly the worst meal I've had in Melbourne, which is amazing considering the quality is generally very high in the city. Calamari did not taste or smell fresh, the risotto of chorizo and scallops was just plain awful, and the prices were absurd for such simple fare ($35 for risotto). Avoid at all costs, management were not in the least concerned when presented with feedback. Horrible!

Sep 19, 2011

Wes G.
1

10 Highly Recommended

Food 10 Ambience 10 Service 10 Value 10

Loved it. Ambience beautiful. Food amazing. Waiter worked alone and very friendly, very helpful with my broken leg.

Dec 15, 2009

Captainub
2

9 Highly Recommended

Food 10 Ambience 9 Service 8 Value 9

Great italian food, authentic italian feel to the place, a great place for lunch or dinner. One thing to remember, do not go there with a group of more than 4, the place is tiny and they seem to struggle with a larger number, the service becomes extremely slow and you are really squashed next to your neighbour. A great place for a meal for 2. Love their food and wine.

Sep 25, 2009

food_lover_13
18

7.3 Recommended

Food 7 Ambience 8 Service 7 Value 7

This is a small, cosy little Italian restaurant in and out of the way laneway off Collins St. The sort of place that Melbourne does really well.

My lunch at this place was, however, a bit of a mixed experience. My entree of pasta with calves liver was fantastic, the kind of dish that you remember and crave for days afterward. My main of roasted Blue Eye with a lobster mousse was the opposite, uninspiring and just did not work as a coherent dish.

I suspect if you stick with the Italian classics at this place (pasta, risotto, gnocchi) you will be very pleased with what you get but maybe the kitchen misfires with some of the more sophisticated dishes.

Service was good but it was very quiet (2 other tables on the day) and the wine list is extensive and compliments the food very well.

Aug 18, 2009

melrich
155

6.3 Average

Food 9 Ambience 8 Service 1 Value 7

The food here is excellent, about as good as italian food gets outside of Italy. However, the service is absolutely abysmal. This restaurant is lucky they have a great chef because if it wasn't for the food most people would not go back to Italy1

Feb 06, 2009

eagerdiner
1

4.5 Below Average

Food 6 Ambience 8 Service 1 Value 3

The spaghetti marinara is ordinary and the service less than ordinary. I asked for a straw for my drink and the waiter responds "we don't carry straws". Would it kill him to go next door to see if they have straws? The food, pretty ordinary: not great, not bad...just ordinary.

May 27, 2008

Cirque1
124

8 Recommended

Food 9 Ambience 9 Service 7 Value 7

I went to lunch here recently and had the spaghetti a la vongole, just divine. I haven't had this dish for a long time and it was perfect. The ambience is lovely and intimate and the service good. Recommended.

May 11, 2008

graciem
3

9 Highly Recommended

Food 10 Ambience 8 Service 9 Value 9

Took some clients there, one waiter was down to earth and easy going, the other was just a bit too stuck up for my liking. The food had tastes that I never experienced before. I had the steak which was just great, it was one of those dining experiences that you just didn't want it to end. Both of my parents were from Italy and fantastic in the kitchen, so usually I am not that easily impressed at restuarants but Italy 1 really has a pro in the kitchen, well done. Being a big person I did find it very small and a bit uncomfortable. Can't wait to take my wife there for a special occasion.

Apr 06, 2007