Stunning Playful Italian at Mr Vincenzo’s in Mornington
There’s something magnetic about Mr Vincenzo's, a stunning new addition to Mornington’s Esplanade, from iconic chef and restaurateur Matti Fallon and his crack team. With around 60% of the menu changing daily, it’s a creative tour de force with a dedication to fresh, local seasonal ingredients.
The retro 1970s vibe is evident from the moment you walk in— wine-bottle-green floors, corduroy touches, cork accents, red-glazed tiles, and warm waffle-yellow walls set the stage for a dining experience steeped in nostalgia yet utterly contemporary.
The Negroni and Old Fashioned were our opening acts, their rich colors popping against the vibrant interior.
What followed was a menu that brings a slice of Italy to Mornington but with Matti’s genius touch. Vitello Tonnato, with thin slices of veal, topped with fried capers and radicchio, was a masterclass in simplicity and flavor. The mussels sourced from Mt Martha, rustically paired with nduja, leeks, saffron, and cannellini beans, were hearty with a subtle heat that lingered.
Then came the Snapper crudo, freshly caught from Port Phillip Bay that very morning— a delicious vibrant dish heightened by preserved orange and blood orange. The Campanelle pasta dish featured cone-like pasta enveloped in beef ragu, garden relish, and pecorino Romano, and was rustic comfort food at its finest.
A highlight was the stuffed calamari, a showstopper on its first day on the menu. Cutting through its tender body to reveal a filling of feta, and surrounded by capsicum and black barley, it oozed richness and rustic charm. The seasonal greens with garlic, chili, and pangrattato offered a welcome, crunchy accompaniment.
The white chocolate tiramisu with pistachio was indulgent and another showstopper, and the torta del nonna was a Tuscan inspired joy.
The wine list is exceptional including choice Italian wines such as the 2022 ArPePe Rosso di Valtellina, perfect with the food.
Mr Vincenzo’s is an instant classic with big plans ahead. One of my best dining experiences of the year.