I’ve blogged about Mezzo Bar & Grill previously when I tried their Monday night Pasta Al Giro menu but this was the first time I’d tried their standard menu.
RM and I decided to go for a pre-theatre dinner on a Saturday night using the voucher that I’d won from the Menu for Hope raffle. We didn’t realise it until we were given the menu but Mezzo have a very good value pre-theatre deal, 2 courses for $35 and 3 courses for $45. Not just two or three dishes to choose from either, but a broad selection from the general menu excluding some of the more expensive dishes.
I decided to go for the pre-theatre option and RM went a la carte. Cavatelli di messina with meatballs, broccoli, potato, herb and pecorino sauce ($32) was one of my favourite dishes at Pasta Al Giro and unusually for me, I decided to repeat the experience. The pasta dish is definitely well worth multiple visits – springy coils of cavatelli, marinated meatballs and cheesy goodness without being overwhelming.
RM selected his old standby favourite, pumpkin and ricotta tortellini, yellow tomato salsa, wild artichokes and chilli oil ($31). The dish presented fat, generous parcels of sweet pumpkin wrapped in silky pasta, with the smoothness offset by just a hint of chilli heat.
For dessert, I chose the gelati (banana and hazelnut that day), again remembering how good it was at Pasta Al Giro. It didn’t disappoint, but once again the slightly soggy accompanying crostini did. RM reluctantly shared some of his excellent Sicilian doughnuts dusted with sugar and accompanied by a creamy, fruity cassata ($14).
The restaurant was busy but not headache-inducing hectic, and the service was brisk and friendly. It has a casual yet slightly dressy vibe which means that friends, couples and families with young kids all felt at home there on a Saturday night. A lovely place serving lovely food, especially pasta – well worth a visit.
For other excellent pasta in the CBD, try Grossi Florentino Cellar Bar, Italy 1 or Journal Canteen (Rosa’s Kitchen).
- Mezzo Bar & Grill, 35 Lt Bourke St, Melbourne +61 3 9650 0988
the pastas look so yummy!! The cavatelli look exactly like my mums, but she doesnt put broccoli in it!
And what about that dessert!! I could definitely eat all of it. too bad about the sogginess
Hi Maria
Your mum makes cavatelli? She has a machine for it? Wow. I believe THE dessert to have at Mezzo is the tiramisu, it comes in its own saucepan and is huge. Sadly, we were too full from pasta to try it.
Jetsetting Joyce