Saluti — Restaurant in Melbourne

The absolute Armani of Italian dining in Melbourne, definitely the most expensive thing I have purchased here. The chefs policy is absolutely on brand with "dry clean only" as the motto, focusing on the word "dry" a little too much. The food lacked moisture so much, from the moment it was served it was actively involved in trying to conjure up everyone's water on the tables in a 30meter radius, very similar to that scene in The Last Airbender.

Pretty sure it had organised a nuclear coup with the neighbours salad against the Peroni nearby to get some sort of moisture for survival. The whole time I was thinking worst case the food would make a fantastic dessicant for my work boots, and be just as tasty.

Once the combat operation codename "Rural Grassfire" was over, we passed Bear Grylls as he was filming his new episode on how to survive the great pizza drought of Victoria. At the counter, about to pay for the damage my food caused bringing the humidity inside the restaurant down to 0% (an old lady next to me crumbled into dust like a scene from Indiana Jones) somehow a $30 charge was on top of my bill without any indication of that until the end. After paying that surcharge, I then paid a second surcharge I can only assume are humanitarian works payments to help rebuild after the war my food caused. Hopefully I'll get my membership to the UN shortly.

No help or anything when we mentioned the quality, just felt like they wanted to turn over tables. Probably for the best as when we were done three fire-fighters came in to put up a "fire danger" sign since my food wicked the last drop of moisture out of the wooden furniture.

Beer was nice though, so probably...

Saluti is an urban Italian restaurant in Epping is an absolute culinary gem. From the moment you step through the door, you are greeted with an atmosphere that effortlessly combines elegance and warmth. The staff at Saluti are not just servers; they are passionate guides through a culinary journey. Dressed very smartly in white shirts and aprons.

The menu is a testament to the chef's commitment to authenticity and innovation. Each dish is a masterpiece, showcasing the rich and nuanced flavours of Italian cuisine. The attention to detail is palpable, from the freshness of the ingredients to the thoughtful presentation on the plate.

What sets Saluti apart is not just the exceptional food and beautiful Italian background music but also the impeccable service. The staff goes above and beyond to ensure a memorable dining experience. Their knowledge of the menu, coupled with genuine enthusiasm, elevates the entire meal.

The ambience is a perfect blend of sophistication and comfort, making it an ideal spot for a romantic dinner or a celebration with friends. We had the salmon, pizza, and pasta. I would assume it has been there a while as my only criticism would be that some of the fixtures look a little tiered like the blinds and some grim spotted on some brickwork. There is a water bottle station that should be covered from airborne dust and potential airborne germs. Saluti at Urban Italian Restaurant in Epping is more than just a place to eat; it's an immersive experience that leaves a lasting impression. If you appreciate fine Italian cuisine and impeccable service, Saluti is a must-visit...

I had to go ask twice if someone could take my order and no it wasn't a busy period. Out of the 4 meals only 1 was great. I do mean great so when they get it right they really get right however one meal (penne arrabiata) the pasta wasn't cooked and this is an Italian restaurant. I mean if I had cooked it myself at home I would have shrugged and kicked myself for not cooking for another 2min that's how close it was but when you pay $30 you would hope they knew how to do it right. Another was gnoche and had chunks of diced potatoes through it that were hard. Still not sure why they needed chunks of boiled potatoes in there but whatever. The third was veal and the veal was great but the potatoes had a wierd taste. So yeah. 1st time in and last time I'll go. 1 out 4 is shocking for a 1st impression. On a side note the staff were super friendly and I've never felt a need before to say I didn't like my food but they took it away and made me another without rolling there eyes or being passive aggressive which for some reason I thought they might but they didn't so that was great. The people are fantastic but the food is shockingly bad. Unfortunately I go to restaurants to eat not to socialise with the staff.

Edit: 4months later follow up. What a joke. Thanks for the copy paste response Mr owner. From what I can see of reviews over the past 4 months your restaurant hasn't changed a bit. Why on earth...