Melbourne - Australia 2004 - page 543

is worth writing home about. The waiters are all eager to help you construct a
feast from the myriad Cantonese and northern Chinese dishes. (Don't leave
without a taste of the duck in plum sauce!) Other popular dishes include pan-
fried dumplings, spring onion pancakes, and the signature dish, Szechuan
smoked duck.
47 Little Bourke St. & 03/9662 1565. Reservations recommended. Main courses A$20-A$28 (US$13-
US$18). AE, DC, MC, V. Mon-Fri noon-3pm; Mon-Sat 5:30-11pm; Sun 5:30-10pm.
Becco MODERN ITALIAN Tucked away in a lane, this favorite of Mel-
bournians has not disappointed in 6 years of winning awards and accolades.
Here you find stylish service—and stylish clients all without pretension. The
cuisine mixes Italian favors with Australian flair in such offerings as crumbed
prawns with radicchio and chile aioli, or the delicate panettone pudding with
cinnamon. On the upstairs level is the ultracool late-night bar, Bella Vista
Social Club (p. 562).
11-25 Crossley St., near Bourke St., City. & 03/9663 3000. Main courses A$22-A$31 (US$7.15-US$20).
AE, DC, MC, V. Mon-Sat noon-3pm and 6-11pm; Sun 5:30-10pm.
Grossi Florentino ITALIAN Under the management of the Grossi fam-
ily, this restaurant is probably the best Italian restaurant in Melbourne. It's split
into separate sections, with a casual bistro downstairs, next to the Cellar bar
(where you can pick up a bowl of pasta for around A$13/US$8.50), while
upstairs you can find the fine dining restaurant with its chandeliers and murals
reflecting the Florentine way of life. The food is traditional Italian, including the
signature wet-roasted suckling lamb and the suckling pig. On the menu, too, are
risotto, seafood, and steak dishes. The chocolate soufflé is very special.
80 Bourke St. & 03/9662 1811. Fax [phone]. www.grossiflorentino.com. Reservations recommended.
Main courses A$38-A$42 (US$25-US$27). AE, DC, MC, V. Mon-Fri noon-3pm; Mon-Sat 6-11pm.
Il Bacaro ITALIAN Walk into Il Bacaro and you'll feel you've been trans-
ported to Venice. Dominated by a horseshoe-shaped bar, it's jam-packed with
small tables and weaving waiters carrying dishes like carpaccio of tuna or
semolina gnocchetti with duck ragout. The pasta dishes and the risotto of the
day always go down well, as do the salad side dishes. It's often crowded at lunch
with local businesspeople digging deep into the excellent wine list.
168-170 Little Collins St. & 03/9654 6778. Reservations recommended. Main courses A$20-A$32
(US$13-US$20). AE, DC, MC, V. Mon-Fri noon-4pm; Mon-Sat 6pm-midnight.
Il Solito Posto NORTHERN ITALIAN This below-ground restaurant is
split into two parts. The casual bistro has a blackboard menu offering good pas-
tas, soups, and salads. Then there's the sharper and more upmarket trattoria,
with its a la carte menu offering the likes of steak, fish, and veal dishes. The cof-
fee is excellent, too.
Basement of 113 Collins St. (enter via George Parade). & 03/9654 4466. Reservations recommended. Main
courses A$15-A$17 (US$9.75-US$11) in bistro, A$25-A$33 (US$16-US$21) in trattoria. AE, DC, MC, V.
Mon-Fri 7:30am-1am; Sat 9am-1am. Closed late Dec to early Jan.
Irish Times IRISH/MODERN AUSTRALIAN An Irish bar more authentic
than most, the character-filled Irish Times serves up generous portions and
Guinness on tap. Popular dishes include the warm chicken salad, mussels in a
creamy broth, Caesar salad, and Irish dishes such as “boxty”—patties of mashed
potato, leek, and onion with an accompanying tomato relish. There's a live band
on Thursday and Friday evenings from 9:30pm and on Saturday from 10:30pm.