You’re leisurely sipping a tangerine-hued Aperol Spritz, routinely swapping it from table to hand as you graze the Antipasto Plate from The Gods. It’s like a glorious gastronomic relay. The waiters flash an occasional warm, Italian smile as they sashay past your table, and the odd flurry of lively, foreign lingo spills out from the kitchen along with your risotto main.
Ah, just another lazy afternoon in Positano, you’d be inclined to think. But then, Yarra River swiftly comes into focus from your balcony seat. You’re gently reminded of your current locus. That’s the thing about feasting at Tutto Bene Melbourne – you’ll feel that for a brief, blissful second, Italy isn’t just a corner somewhere on the other side of the globe. It seems that thanks to the crew behind this iconic risotteria, you can find the occasional microcosm of Italia on a Melbourne Southbank strip. Amalfi in a bowl? We think yes.
After casually claiming the title of Best Italian Restaurant at the 2017 Restaurant & Catering Australia (R&CA) Awards for Excellence, Tutto Bene have welcomed the New Year in on a glorious high. They’ve even launched a new, seasonal menu to tailor their stellar menu for our (favourite) sun-soaked afternoons.
Tutto Bene’s Summer menu houses an impressive mix of classic and seasonal Italian dishes, and is brimming with new creations thanks to Head Chef Nathan Scarfo’s recent trip back to Italy.
“I’ve returned from my trip inspired. My family have a little farm in the south of Italy. Cooking there is simple, raw and uncomplicated. Every piece of produce has a million uses,” Nathan says.
While risotto dishes remain the pillars of T. B’s quintessentially Italian menu, new plates are coming in hot. There’s freshly-shucked oysters doused in Bellini granita, carrot arancini with edible soil, lemon spaghettini with blue swimmer crab, basil pesto and pistachio and fried zucchini flowers with roast pumpkin, and – oh, we could go on, but that would take up the time it takes you to call up and make your reservation for next Friday night.
Thirsty? Clocked off for the week? Having a cheeky mojito on your lunch-break halfa? The Italian summer cocktail menu is set to impress. From signature aperitifs such as the Tutto Bene Mule (vodka, lime juice, Nonnina grappa, ginger ale and mint) and Terazza Campari (Campari, orange and pink grapefruit juice), you’ll be double-parked in a jiffy. These moreish cocktails are only $10 during happy hour (3pm-5:30pm daily) and $15 all other times.
Tutto Bene restaurant is open seven days, until late. Bookings can be made by calling the restaurant on 03 9696 3334. Tutto Bene is located on the mid level of Southgate Melbourne, facing out over the Yarra River, above the Ophelia mosaic statue on the promenade.
