Johnny, Vince and Sam’s Ristorante — Restaurant in Melbourne

First off, I will say that I had a great night and left well fed with leftovers! What follows could've been marred by the fact that my partner and I visited on Mother's Day, probably the busiest day of the year, as we know how much the Italians love their Mammas.

I'd been wanting to take my boyfriend here for a while, with him being a fan of both the Sooshi Mango guys and Italian cuisine. I was aware they didn't take bookings, so I was surprised to be told on arrival that they were fully booked, unless we sat outside. This wasn't a problem because we'd still get to dine there... but there were conditions! We didn't even have a choice of what we wanted to eat, it was a set 4-course menu or niente! The real kicker for me was that it was $85pp. However, I took a big gulp and sat down. After all, I wanted to treat my partner.

In terms of service, I was a bit irked by the attitude of the maitre de/waiter who greeted us. Not very welcoming if I'm honest and a bit aggressive. This is a job I've held in the past, so I know how stressful and laborious it can get, but I still had to maintain a friendly attitude, albeit through gritted teeth sometimes. Although I was the one who came in first and asked all the questions, he completely bypassed me and was only explaining the menu to my boyfriend. I could tell because he kept saying 'brother' and 'bro'. A bit rude, but it was alright when we got to the table.

The food itself was amazing and more than enough for two people. I cannot complain about the quality as it was top notch, and I loved the meats and cheese. I only have qualms about the logistics of it all. First off, 4 courses are a lot and the portions were huge...aside from dessert, sadly, but I'll get to that. Now, large portions aren't a bad thing, especially if you're paying $85pp , so we definitely got our money's worth. But it could hardly fit on the table. I could also tell they were trying to hurry us up, as everything came out super fast, I guess it was all prepared in bulk, especially to keep the customers moving. Which makes sense, but it doesn't provide a comfortable dining experience. I can't help being a slow eater, and I assumed all the special people who had booked were sitting inside, so it was weird how they kind of wanted to move us along. Why serve so much food if you expect it to be all eaten quickly? I think it would've been a better idea to give people the option of less courses. Maybe three?

Thankfully, we got takeaway boxes after being asked a couple of times by some restless waiter who really made it obvious we were overstaying, y'know the old clapping your hands together, like the Brits do when it's time to leave. I was disappointed when our dessert came out boxed up also. We weren't going to eat it there, but, compared to everything else, it seemed as if they'd scrimped out on it, as it was not consistent with all the other portions. I'm a girl with a sweet tooth, and it was just enough for one!

Anyway, I don't mean to put a downer on the place, as I said, the food quality was excellent, and we did visit on a busy night. I think if I did not have experience in hospitality, I could've forgiven a lot of what went on.

Would I go again? Yes, but not in a hurry, and maybe for Lunch during the week so I can actually try the menu.

Would I recommend it to anyone else? Yes, if you've got money, eat fast like Kirby and a...

Last weekend, I had the pleasure of dining at a fantastic Italian restaurant in the heart of Melbourne, and while the food was undeniably top-tier—some of the freshest pasta and most flavourful sauces I’ve had in years—the real standout of the evening was our incredible server, Jake.

From the moment we walked in, Jake made us feel welcome. With a relaxed, confident vibe and a warm smile, he greeted us like old friends, setting the tone for an exceptional night. He struck the perfect balance of being professional yet personable—friendly without being too familiar, attentive without hovering.

Jake knew the menu inside and out. He didn’t just list the specials—he told us the stories behind them. Whether it was explaining where the seafood was sourced or how the gnocchi was handmade that morning, he spoke with genuine enthusiasm and deep knowledge. When we asked for wine recommendations, he didn’t hesitate to offer thoughtful pairings, including a bottle that was both affordable and absolutely perfect with our mains.

What really impressed me was how smoothly Jake handled dietary restrictions. I mentioned I was gluten-sensitive, and without skipping a beat, he ran through the gluten-free options and even offered to speak with the kitchen to adapt a couple of dishes. His attention to detail and willingness to go the extra mile made a huge difference—it felt like nothing was too much trouble.

Throughout the evening, Jake’s timing and awareness were spot on. Our drinks were never empty, our plates were cleared discreetly, and the pacing between courses was flawless. Even though the restaurant was packed, Jake never seemed rushed. He was calm, composed, and in total control of the space around him.

But what really made Jake exceptional was his energy. You could tell he genuinely loved his job. When he talked about the tiramisu, he did it with such pride that we couldn’t resist trying it—and it turned out to be the best we’ve ever had. At the end of the meal, he surprised us with a round of complimentary limoncello and a warm thank-you for spending our night there. It was a classy, personal touch that left a lasting impression.

In a city known for its food and hospitality, it takes a lot for a server to stand out—but Jake did, effortlessly. He turned what would’ve been a great meal into a truly memorable experience. It’s not every day you meet someone who’s not just good at their job, but clearly passionate about it.

If you’re in Melbourne and looking for authentic Italian food with service that goes above and beyond, this restaurant is a must-visit—and if you’re lucky enough to be served by Jake, you’re in for a real treat. He’s the kind of server that every restaurant wishes they had—professional, passionate, and...

The reason for choosing Sooshi Mango's....I am sorry Johnny, Vince and Sam's Ristorante was that we had a friend with us from Adelaide, 'The Good Italian Girl', and she is all about exploring her Italian heritage, so we thought it was a great idea to dine here. The last time she was in Melbourne, we went to the opening night of Wog Boys Forever..so it was fitting.

From the beginning, I will say I absolutely love the food, the decor and the service at Johnny, Vince and Sam's Ristorante. I had to laugh because the plate settings were items I recently gave away to the Salvo's. Not to be overly critical because I do get the experience and what is being offered, which I think is rather tasteful. However, growing up in an Italian household, the food served was very familiar to me and not at all unusual...quite simple really. The food at this ristorante was incredibly delectable and the pizza was like a puppy pillow with flavours of home. The arancini were beautiful cheesy morsels of rice and the pasta was al dente with a creamy garlic sauce with verdura (broccholi) and the insalata was just like home, very basic, sharp with the flavour of vinegar, oil and the right amount of salt.

The thing that was different for me growing up with Italian cuisine at home is that it was always abundant. A healthy side of oily roasted garlic potatoes with sprigs of rosemary and a salad to go with your cotoletta (shnitzel) accompanied by greens that formed part of your main meal with perhaps a large plate of pasta with seconds for an entree. For a main meal, Mum would never serve schnitzel without any sides. The lesson for us dining out amidst this experience is to never assume that your meal will be served with a generous serving of potatoes or salad. Not intended as harsh criticism at all, rather an observation, and I would say that it would be good for the staff to point out that the veal schnitzel is served on its own. Despite not being the cheapest meal around, the food was extremely good, but sides will add to the bottom line (cost). I must also add that they had Carlton Draught on the drinks menu as well as VB longnecks - less often found on menus today. They also had a healthy list of Italian beers. I did have a laugh and it was a great experience non the less. Not sure that my photos did this place justice and not sure that any of my Skippy friends would get this place.

Thoroughly enjoyed the experience, food is on the pricier side but itsa...