The vibe: Maccaroni Trattoria Italiana is located in Melbourne CBD. Very loving setting as you arrive waiting to be seated. Inside the restaurant they have created a clever and unique display of puns on their floor to ceiling blackboards and also a drawing of Italy highlighting places of interest which is relevant to their menu food options. They also have a design of wooden spoons hanging from the ceiling which is clever considering that’s what Italian sauces are cooked with… cute 🥰. They also have a wall of framed pictures which adds to the ambiance of their vibe. 👏🏻
What’s the menu like: Maccaroni Trattoria Italiana effortlessly serve rustic and authentic Italian food the way it’s meant to be. You Wont be disappointed with what is served in front of you. Freshly locally made pasta 🍝. Sauces that will leave you wanting more even when You can’t fit it into your tummy. 👍🏻👍🏻
What we ordered: Entrée • 3 x house mocktails • 1 x entrèe calamari (shared between 3 people) Mains • 1 x fettuccine bolognaise • 1 x spaghetti carbonara • 1 x Lasagna Dessert • 1 x tiramisu (no brainer) • 1 x cannolo siciliano OMG the food was amazing, anyone who leaves a bad review here just has no idea how to critic food.
The calamari was nice, a little overdone for my Liking but not nothing worth complaining about, drizzled with balsamic glaze and on a layer of balsamic and olive oil dressed rocket with a side of aioli was a perfect starter for us to share.
The pasta was delicious, perhaps a little harder then what I like it but you can still taste the authenticity and can 💯 tell its fresh. My lasagna was a huge serving and was just Devine, the sauce was so moreish and the béchamel sauce was tantalising,and the waitress offered on the side Parmesan and oil chilli 🌶️ (super hot and not for wussy’s).
My husband’s carbonara was authentic sauce… NO CREAM, made with egg and garlic and cheese the way it should be. Amazingly delicious and quality bacon used and the fresh shaved Parmesan on top was a desired touch.
My nieces fettuccini bolognaise was scrumptious. The difference in sauces is very noticeable and I take my hat off to the chef for not being lazy using the same sauces for the different pasta dishes. You could taste bolognaise had beef richness to it and all our food was 5 star worthy ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Tiramisu was moreish too, can’t go there and not have it, served in a glass topped with dusted dark chocolate and chocolate chips, delicious traditional savoiardio cookies soaked in brewed coffee and mixed with yummy mascarpone. JUST YUM 🤤. We also shared a cannolo with sweet whipped ricotta with choc chips, crushed pistachios and dusted with icing sugar, equally amazing.
From start to finish the service was exactly how table service should be.The waiter seating everyone appeared to be running the show, he politely advised all patrons waiting to be seated that they had a full house tonight and that they would seat people who made reservations first (lucky I booked ahead) he seated us and straight away we had table Water and all the cutlery set up on a Clean table. The staff ensured we always had table Water throughout our seating which is great attention to detail. The waiter who seated us knew the menu well when we had questions, such as what was the filling in the aranchini balls, what was the house Mocktail for the evening etc. always impressive when they can just tell you straight up what the menu doesn’t tell you. The staff where always attentive the entire time to each table as I observed them. Not one patron was treated favourably over another and this shows we were all equally important to them 💓
My favourite thing about the place: the food and service. Amazing. Just need to Work harder at the gym now lol, carbs are fuel so all good.
Highly recommend giving @Maccaroni trattoria Italiana a try! They have an online booking system, so I would recommend making a reservation to secure your spot! 🙌 so you do not miss out and become disappointed, cos if you don’t get seated and get upset is your own fault not...
Read moreMy wife and I had a delightful birthday lunch at Maccaroni Trattoria Italiana, and I must say, it was an unforgettable experience! This charming Italian restaurant is nestled in the heart of MLB CBD and offers a fantastic selection of pasta, pizza, and gnocchi dishes. The ambience was cozy and inviting, with a rustic charm that instantly transported us to Italy. The staff was attentive and friendly, ensuring that our dining experience was nothing short of excellent. Now, let's talk about the food! We started with the Burrata Salad, which was a perfect combination of classic Napoli's Burrata cheese, cherry tomatoes, olives, bread croutons, and drizzled with Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Balsamic Vinegar. The freshness and flavours were top-notch! The Arancini, a Sicilian tradition, were a delight to our taste buds. The crispy exterior and the flavourful filling left us wanting more. For the main course, we opted for the Pappardelle Funghi e Tartufo, and it was a truffle lover's dream come true. The fresh Pappardelle, combined with mushrooms, truffle sauce, parsley, and a touch of cream, resulted in a heavenly dish that we savoured until the last bite. The Pumpkin Gnocchi was another highlight - soft and pillowy gnocchi with a delightful pumpkin sauce that was both creamy and rich in flavour. We also couldn't resist trying the specials, and the Fettuccini with speck, lava beans, and crispy pancetta was a true revelation. The combination of flavours was outstanding, and we appreciated the creativity in this dish. To end our meal on a sweet note, we indulged in the Tiramisu, and it did not disappoint. Each spoonful was a perfect balance of coffee-soaked ladyfingers and luscious mascarpone cream. To accompany our meal, we had some delightful Negronis and rose wine, which complemented the dishes perfectly. In conclusion, our experience at Maccaroni Trattoria Italiana was phenomenal. The delicious food, impeccable service, and the pleasure of sharing the meal with my wife in such a charming environment made it an exceptional birthday celebration. We wholeheartedly recommend this restaurant to anyone seeking an authentic Italian culinary experience in MLB CBD. Thank you, Maccaroni Trattoria, for an unforgettable afternoon! We'll definitely be...
Read moreMACCARONI TRATTORIA – 10-16 Manchester Lane Melbourne
Simple and Sumptuous
Time for a bite to eat before seeing Sister Act at the Regent (yes, it is good and worth seeing) and we decided to try Maccaroni Trattoria which is near the theatre in Manchester Lane just off Collins Street.
We had the impression immediately that we made a good choice because it was just before 6pm and there was a line-up of people waiting to get a table. Very pleased we booked. The restaurant was full and had a very positive vibe. It has a good look with lots of Italian posters on the walls and wooden spoons and utensils hanging from the ceiling as decorations.
The menu is what you want to see at an Italian restaurant, a good mix of pastas and pizzas, some mains and other options as well. The restaurant is well known for it’s gnocchi and they have some wonderful options on the menu.
The pricing is very good, especially in the current environment. The service is friendly and prompt, even though they were very busy. The one down side for me is how noisy the place is which makes conversation a little difficult but it was a very happy noise.
We opted for sharing a pasta dish and a pizza dish, and both featured mushrooms purely by chance. The Pappardelle Funghi e Tartufo, fresh pappardelle with mushrooms, truffle sauce, parsley and a touch of cream was perfectly cooked pasta with a beautifully balanced mix of mushroom and sauce. Pizza option was the Porcina, with mozzarella cheese, truffle sauce, button & porcini mushrooms and parsley. The crisp base had generous toppings and I love the flavour bite that comes from porcini mushrooms. Rounding out the meal was a fresh Italian house salad.
The Italians do simple foods best, and we thoroughly enjoyed our meal.
Maccaroni Trattoria is a good restaurant to have up your sleeve, especially if you are heading to the Regent Theatre, just a few...
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