Nestled in Little Italy at the top of Bourke Street, it's an incredibly romantic venue – must be the chocolate coloured carpet and the dim lights. We suggest you bring a hot date to match the hot decor.
Genuinely Italian head-chef Gabriele Olivieri's lunch menu runs 20 dishes long, but you'll have to pick from a smaller selection for a bargain – think seared tuna swimming in beans and black olives or a hand made strozzapreti (small pieces of pasta in an unusual twisted shape, its name meaning ‘choke the priest’ so we are told) bathing in a pork and beef ragu.
With top-notch service, well starched tablecloths and highly buffed wine glasses, it's a steal at $45 for two courses (and a glass of vino). We won't tell the boss if you indulge in a little lunchtime boozing either.
