Bontempo | Wood-Fired Pizza & Pasta Fitzroy — Restaurant in Melbourne

Bontempo meaning good times in Italian. Good times it sure was with a modern on trend minimalist space and cool music playing creating a relaxed Sunday evening ambiance. The open kitchen allows you to observe the pizza magic being created by chefs clad in fun Hawaiian shirts which they coined ‘silly Sundays’- great atmosphere all round.

We began the meal with a garlic, cheese and potato focaccia. This simple pairing was the perfect start to the meal. I’m a big fan of potato on pizza and this was irrefutable proof that carb on carb is a winning combination.

I chose to order a small pizza so I could also sample a pasta. The Margherita is of course a classic but afterwards I wished I had been a bit more adventurous and tried the Agnello which was a slow cooked lamb. My husband got the vegetarian and proclaimed it ‘best pizza I’ve had in Melbourne’ so veggie lovers may want to make a reservation pronto.

The pasta was a yummy pesto fettuccine and a most generous portion so much so that I was unbelievably full and had to skip a dessert calzone even though that almost broke my heart. Certainly good value in terms of portion sizes and the sort of place you could bring anyone to from a group of friends to a...

What a mistake it was visiting Bontempo for dinner...the night started off well being warmly acknowledged by the the floor manager but after he led us to our table it seems he thought his job was done. That wouldn't have been a problem except for the fact that the floor staff were SO INEPT!! A share meal intention by my partner and I went completely over the head of our waitress who served our meal without utensils (outside of our knives and forks); the plates were as cold as the night outside which rendered the gluggy cream heavy gnocchi little more than a cold slab of white muck....the salad was waaaay too salty....the drink waitress was too intent on socialising with her extended family when they arrived to attend to us...I give the joint until the end of their lease before it's "goodnight from...

Food was relatively good and would be an option if you are unable to get a table at Mario’s or cannot be bothered going to Lygon Street. The waiting staff were dressed as if they would only be leaving their house to walk the dogs. They showed no desire to respect the dining experience. I had barely put down my cutlery when the waitress come over and started clearing the table reaching over my partners space while he was still eating. Both waitresses crouched down behind the bar together to talk and gossip which was noticed by not only our table. Having lived in the area for quite some time I now understand why there were only 3 tables occupied...