Lupino — Restaurant in Melbourne

Unfortunately we discovered Lupino our last night in Melbourne. Only 2 blocks from our hotel, but on a “narrow” street, and with only a small neon sign of a little wolf head (Lupino). Had we realized what we were walking past, we would have eaten there at least 4 or 5 of our 10 nights in Melbourne. Lupino is described as “Industrial-chic Italian restaurant with chefs crafting handmade pasta and pizza in an open kitchen.” Well, this description undersells significantly how excellent, unique and nuanced the food is. These chefs are not just slinging homemade pasta.

We went on a Monday night and it was packed and we were lucky to get two seats right at the kitchen "bar". As we are foodies, we really enjoyed watching the chef, sous chef and cold chef perform their choreography in the smallish kitchen. We chatted with the chef and asked him to pick our meals and courses for us. Wise choice as we were able to sample seven dishes and a wonderful tiramisu. All the food was amazing, but some special notes of things to try because you don’t see them everywhere: (1) the grilled octopus and salami. So tender! (2) the Rotolo. Ricotta and vegetables. This doesn’t sound like much, but this dish was AMAZING. I am a good carnivore, but this vegetable dish was outstanding and didn’t seem like a vegetable dish! (3) Veal and amaretto agnolotti. One suggestion: pass on the pizzas (if you only go once) as while they are excellent, the rest of the menu is special and deserves to be on your plate! Great, attentive service. This place is a winner! Make sure to get a reservation so you are...

Tonight dining at Lupino it was a mixed experience, in stark contrast to the experience we had this time last year. Upon arrival we we not offered by front of house to have our coats taken. Front of house employee had a really sour look on her face the whole night, which made out experience rather un enjoyable. The two girls who served us were nice though.

When we began to order we asked a very simple question about a certain dish and it origin. (beef and if it was free range) The waitress was fine. The chefs in the small kitchen we could see were laughing and we could see and hear them mocking us. The side of chili was extremely excessive and wasteful. No one could eat that in a sitting.

This was unsatisfactory and very un professional. Most of the dishes were good. the bread was amazing but was served with western star butter, in little plastic tubs. No home made butter or any butter served in glass trays.

The waitress bashed the back of my chair every time on the way past. She cleared our olives away before they were finished and before we had a chance to say anything.

The other wait staff were unattentive as they did not change our plates between courses. No one asked us how our meals were. The dessert Crema catalana was served cold after waiting around 15mins for it.

We were really disappointed and probably will not come back again, after we had recommended this place to most...

9th Jan - Picked this as the closest and highest rated in the immediate vicinity of Hotel Windsor where we're staying and so glad we did.

Almost didn't find it. Down a small side street my wife pointed out an illuminated "fox" above a window. Took my head a second to register the French "Lupine" into Latin "Lupin" for wolf, not a fox 🤣. Suddenly Lupino made sense! A later Google informed me Lupino is an Italian surname and it all made sense!

The Carpaccio starter was the softest I've ever eaten and my wife's Arrancini were very flavourful. The little dish of chilli oil/sauce with them should be registered as a chemical weapon but so tasty I couldn't stop eating it.

My veal and wife's risotto mains were equally outstanding.

Immediately greeted and shown to a table set the tone for excellent, attentive service. Shame we'll unlikely ever get to eat here again. UK Italian restaurants could learn a lot from Lupino. Thank you for...