Svago Kew, Melbourne

Svago means ‘to relax and let go’.

The idea developed from a phrase my late father used to say when I was a child …’vado a svagare’ … I didn’t understand what this meant and asked my mother what he was saying, because svago was not a commonly used word. She would reply, ‘ it means that even if the house collapses or it is the end of the world ……

DON’T WAKE HIM !!’ …. i.e, he wanted complete relaxation.

In my restaurant in Santorini the name Svago was perfect, as it was situated on the water with a private beach, all outdoor seating and beach chaise lounges with waiter service and the mediterranean sun.

Returning to Melbourne and contemplating the concept …the name still felt good and that it fitted …. and I could smell the coffee !!

Svago has been created with foresight based on nearly 30 years experience in the Hospitality Industry in Melbourne, Italy, Greece & Germany.

I have a dream about how an Italian eatery should be, and as much as possible, all things Italian and ‘Italianissimo’ are always at the forefront of my mind.

Svago has been created to bring a slice of Italy to Kew & Melbourne through the mediums of culture, food, beverages & ambience …..you probably feel like you are there !

It is an expression of contemporary classicism.

Our style re-introduces the philosophy of the ‘ritual of dining’, rather than eating just ‘to fill your stomach’. It embraces the ideology of sharing dishes with your chosen company and have the opportunity to taste a variety of dishes rather than just one or two in entrée and main course format.

Many wines are available by the glass, again providing the opportunity to try different wines without the obligation to purchase a bottle.

Svago invites you to ‘relax and let go’
Cesare Tabacco

User Reviews of Svago, Kew

Displaying: 1 - 10 of 10 reviews

8 Recommended

Food 8 Ambience 9 Service 9 Value 6

The exterior and location of this restaurant is what caught my eye a few months ago. After finally dining there last week I can say I was very impressed with everything but the value for money. Whilst I very willingly dine at restaurants which cost $50+ per head (excluding drinks) I expected a little more from a place like this which has been featured in the Gourmet Traveller.

Having said this, I had no complaints about the food itself. However, I was rather surprised to hear the waiter's recommendation to order 3 bite size dishes and 4 mains per person (equating to about $130 per person). My partner and I who were quite hungry at the time chose to order 3 bite size dishes and 4 mains between us and left very satisfied. If you're there for dinner, I highly recommend the gnocchi which is served with burnt butter and rosemary. The texture and plump size of these potato dumplings was simply divine.

The place seems child/teenager friendly as the staff are very hospitable and the atmosphere is not cramped with tables. If money is no concern or you're looking for a restaurant which isn't pretentious without compromising a fantastic menu, then I recommend you check out Svago. (Just be sure to have the credit card handy).

Aug 18, 2010

andydeek
6

3.8 Below Average

Food 4 Ambience 5 Service 3 Value 3

Went over a year ago and had to deal with a terrible waiter. I emphasise with the other reviewer who wrote that he was pressured to have olives and mineral water. The waiter asked us if we would like to order an aperitiff before our meals. I said, "No thankyou we will be fine." He then said, "Are you sure?" I said "yes I'm sure, we're fine". He asked again, "Are you sure?" To which I replied again, "Yes we are fine."

This place has a few high points but overall reeks of pretension. Not just the ridiculous waiter but the incredibly small serves of overpriced food. We ordered the pork dish for around $16 and received two slices of rubbery, bland meat with a thick layer of fat. We had the bruschetta with mixed toppings which were ok, nothing that special. The seaweed fritters were amazing tasting however.

Dec 17, 2009

cutesunbear
29

4.3 Below Average

Food 9 Ambience 6 Service 1 Value 1

Svago is a great place to eat, but there is a big question mark about the waiters and how they do there business on the floor, first is if I don't order olives or mineral water don't force me to have them, and second of all please don't put them on my bill as my bill was overcharged by more than $30, if they keep that up I honestly don't think other customers will be back in a hurry.

Dec 07, 2009

peter_m
1

3.8 Below Average

Food 3 Ambience 6 Service 5 Value 1

I left the restaurant still feeling hungary. The servings were quite small and expensive. I thought the host was quite intimidating and wouldn't even let us have a slight alteration to the menu. If I am a paying guest and I am allergic to something you would think that you could ask for a dish to be made minus raw fish. So if you are vegetarian or have some other intolerance I would not recommend it. Anyway, I have tried it but you won't see me there anytime soon.

Sep 24, 2009

Teloa
1

3.8 Below Average

Food 2 Ambience 7 Service 5 Value 1

You really need to eat before dining at Svago otherwise you will leave hungry. Meals are designed to share but the serving size makes it difficult. We ordered several dishes for example the pork dish consisted of one and a half slices of pork with quite abit of fat, very hard to share such small servings. Prices are about $25.00 each for dishes to be shared and they suggest 6 main ones and 5 smaller ones which are around $10.00.

Sep 14, 2009

dinner4
1

7.5 Recommended

Food 8 Ambience 7 Service 8 Value 7

A Roman/Sicilian trattoria in Kew! A mouth watering selection of stuzzichini, then more substantial mains.

The food remains impressive, with servings smaller than previously. Try the baccala mantecato, the stuffed squid, or the slow roast pork, but definitely keep a spot for the braised rabbit - a superb preparation with marjoram and thyme. Or the canolo desert!

Italian wines and beers. Excellent coffee. You do feel crowded in, so 'ambience' misses on one count, but the service is the real deal. Well done Cesare.

Aug 07, 2009

merlot
248

6.8 Recommended

Food 8 Ambience 7 Service 7 Value 5

Always a disappointment to go to a restaurant with two sittings. Not my idea of a night out. The food was delicious, if not on the small side considering the prices, all the dishes were excellent. But the other guests and myself left hungry for a meal everything is what the french call Novelle Cuisine and each dish is shared, so if you want a night out with friends to chat with and a meal that will satisfy you, this is not the place to go, also very cramped and noisy.

May 23, 2009

allan31
1

9.3 Highly Recommended

Food 10 Ambience 8 Service 9 Value 10

Well what can I say but one word amazing, this is what real italian food is, coming from a strong italian background thank god I've found Svago a true winner. Please try the zeppole, coniglio and the cannolo svago, fantastic place be back soon.

Feb 02, 2009

johnvic
1

5 Average

Food 7 Ambience 5 Service 5 Value 3

The servings are tiny, not midway between entree and main as advised on the menu, and the service is intrusive, impossible to have a conversation in the cramped space with waiters constantly hovering. There is also a problem with some mislabelling, the chocolate and orange tartlet was actually a miniscule chocolate pudding/cake, rather disappointing give the $11.00 price.

Jan 23, 2009

Cherrry
1

9 Highly Recommended

Food 9 Ambience 9 Service 10 Value 8

Sensational! We recently spent a month in Italy and felt like we were back there. Love the idea of the share dishes so you get to taste everything....

Jan 22, 2009