Italian Food Dreams at Cucinetta
Italian dining feasting and satiation overdrive was the name of the game at Cucinetta, a fabulous intimate dining experience in South Yarra delivered by a team that excels at hospitality, from front of house through to the kitchen. We were invited along (David and Gary) to experience joyous Italian dining at its "warm hug" finest.
We indulged in their pasta specialties and Antipasti delights, with a series of crowdpleaser dishes. Cucinetta and sister restaurants have the knack of serving dishes that customers resonate with and want (rather than should want), ie customer driven. The kind of restaurant you leave satisfied with a smile on your face. Only a 16 seater restaurant, Cucinetta brings an intimacy and unique experience suitable for a date night, catch up with friends, or family get together (as in the table next to us).
In terms of pasta, the star of the show was the Special Cheese Wheel pasta (limited time) but the Tagliatelle al Ragu dello Chef was also a cracking pasta dish. Pasta is made fresh from their own boutique pasta lab, a point of difference.
Our meal was full of highlights-
Home-made Arancini (delightful arancini with peas)
Pan-seared Japanese Scallops with Parsnip Purée and Salsa Verde (plump scallops undergirded by a magnificent rich purée)
Caprese featuring Buffalo Mozzarella, Heirloom Tomatoes, Fresh Basil Pesto with added Prosciutto (vibrant rewarding classic dish)
Limited time only SPECIAL CHEESE WHEEL PASTA is a showstopper- famous Fettuccine ‘Cacio e Pepe’ with Parmesan and Pecorino Cheese and Black Pepper finished in the Cheese Wheel (creamy cheesy peppery bliss)
Tagliatelle al Ragu dello Chef featuring Fresh Tagliatelle Pasta with Special Ragu (deep rich flavours of the ragu)
Cucinetta Salad featuring Rocket, Parmesan, Tomatoes, Candied Walnuts Vinaigrette (zesty salad, love those walnuts)
Tiramisu (one of the best going around)
All enjoyed with excellent Italian wines.
Business partners, Omar El Deek and brothers Giacomo Pietrantuono and Donatello Pietrantuono, who also own Cosi in South Yarra, Vaporetto in Hawthorn, and Carboni’s in Ballarat, are taking the Melbourne Italian food scene by storm. They weathered the pandemic and are kicking goals with the re-igniting and re-imagining of several Italian restaurants.
The trio arrived in Melbourne from Italy ten years ago. Omar and Giacomo met while working front-of-house at Caffe e Cucina, also in South Yarra. They worked there together for five years and became General Manager and Food & Beverage manager respectively, prompting them to go into business together with Giacomo’s brother, chef Donatello. Now they are the driving force behind memorable Italian food experiences in Melbourne. Highly recommended.