Abbiocco Pasta & Wine — Restaurant in Melbourne

This was our second visit to Abbiocco Pasta & Wine Bar.

Pleasantly warm and inviting after a walk from the car on a cold and windy winter evening. The restaurant was full for the first sitting was but you would not have thought so judging by the speed of the service.

On our first visit to Abbiocco my wife chose the duck ravioli and I, the tagliatelle wagyu bolognese. We both agreed that the taste was extraordinary and well matched with our wine selections - hers, a pinot grigio, and mine, a pinot noir. After the second bite of my tagliatelle, I did tell my wife that I thought my pasta was a little too hard. The extremely attentive waitress who incidentally provided us with brilliant and attentive service overheard. and immediately came to me and asked if I wanted a different dish. At first, I declined but then another mouthful later I did tell the waitress that I thought the tagliatelle was too al dente and did ask for a new serving of the same dish. The second plate was the same and I realised that I had not eaten pasta in a restaurant for quite a few years and had gotten so used to my wife's soft spag bol - 'coz that's how the grandchildren like it. On the way out, I apologised profusely to mine host, Alex who could not be more amenable if he was trying to win a prize - without appearing fake! We went back with friends last Sunday and we all agreed that the food was excellent and the wine list well matched to the food perfectly.

The tagliatelle were just as they were supposed to be - excellent! The same waitress and Alex were there and ensured we had a pleasant dinner. The menu was not large and intimidating but there were enough choices, gluten free pasta included. A great find, we will go again and again with new friends so spread the word: a bonza Italian restaurant and bar in Highett!

Enjoy...

Tried to book a table for 8 people to celebrate my engagement with my family. Bookings for over 7 people you have to email to reserve, I had popped my head in to speak to a staff member and I also emailed a few weeks in advance.

I received an email back saying that we had to dine off the concise set menu as it was for a large party booking on a Friday evening. I explained I understood however 2 family members dining have disabilities (such as down syndrome) and that they would only order a smaller more simple meal (no dessert or starter/entree just probably a single pasta dish each) and asked if it would be ok for the rest of us to dine off the a la carte as we didn't think it felt right to pay $75 a head for 2 members of the family with disabilities. I received an email back saying no we couldn't do this and if we wanted to dine off the a la carte we would have to go on a quieter day or during lunch. Bearing in mind the set concise menu consisted of shared entrees, a choice of one pasta which everyone has to eat the same of, one salad not chosen and one dessert again not chosen.

I understand restaurants are busy Friday evenings however to completely refuse to accommodate family members with disabilities so that we could celebrate our engagement is nothing short of disgusting behaviour. We had previously been to this restaurant and we were excited to bring our family however we will definitely never return.

Other restaurants have been much more understanding and accomodating therefore we know that our request wasn't unreasonable.

To limit access to those who are disadvantaged is...

This place was raved about by people I now realise I can never trust again. "Authentic Italian experience!" they said. I don’t know which part of Italy they visited, but if it’s anything like this beige nightmare, I’m cancelling my flight.

Let’s begin with the “ambience” which felt like someone decorated using Pinterest keywords and expired candle wax. The lighting? Dim enough to hide the shame on their plates, but not enough to stop me seeing the waiter’s eye-roll when I asked for a dry red that wasn’t house poison. Sorry for wanting flavour, not fermented regret.

I ordered a pasta. It arrived looking like a microwaved crime scene. The pasta was overcooked and clung to itself in a way I can only describe as... codependent. The sauce was a soupy, oily mess with all the depth of a kiddie pool. Truffle? Oh yes in that way where it tastes like someone sprayed perfume over hot milk.

My friend got the carbonara, which looked like it had been made by someone who learned to cook from hate.

Also, charging $19 for a glass of wine that tastes like regret bottled in a divorce settlement? Brave. Charging $5 for “bread service” and then serving me two pieces of cold sourdough? Criminal.

When I complained, the waiter nodded at me like I was just another problem he’d pass to the next shift. I could’ve said “there’s a live rat in my ravioli” and he still would’ve said, “that’s how Nonna used to make it.”

Bottom line: this place is an overpriced delusion. Go here if you want to spend $80 to feel disrespected by starch and lied to by wine.

Zero stars. One star is...