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Food

La Svolta and the Italian Way

 

Ever crave a slice of Italy in Melbourne? La Svolta is a lively Italian restaurant that serves up modern Italian cuisine with style. If you're like us you want authenticity with your Italian experience. Located just off Chapel St La Svolta has become a popular and savvy hit in a keen foodie precinct.

For a start you hear Italian accents at La Svolta; one indicator of authenticity.The Manager Stephano here is a character who drops entertaining stories in a humorous way, drawing on his Italian experiences and European escapades. While the conviviality and engagement is high, the food is serious.

We visited La Svolta again after a couple of high enjoyable sessions there, and went deeper into the tradtional Italian fare with a twist. La Svolta are geared to deliver in all the aspects of modern Italian cuisine - from the strong Antipasti section, to the Primi options, rewarding Secondi with a plethora of daily Specials, compelling sides, and then a superb range of Italian style pizzas. 

La Svolta has a decent beverage list including awesome Italian beers.

La Svolta has a trendy fashionable patronage, and is perfect for groups, couples, friends and families...

 

We found ourselves deliberating over the Specials board with Italian regional dishes on offer. Each dish captured the imagination.

 

Crumbed mozzarella "noisettes" with tomato and roquette pesto were a refreshing triumph. Fresh and zesty with oozy hit of cheese.

 

Stephano had a magical wine match for every course including this elegant Bricco Maiolica Barbera d'Alba wine from Piedmont...

 

We were loving the hit of Italian nostalgia...

House made Braised beef and prosciutto agnolotti del pin was rustic and rewarding. There was a modern twist here as agnolotti is something like ravioli often with half circle shape, but this was more like a canneloni. We thoroughly enjoyed this dish in its Piedmont glory.

Settle in the main dining area full of atmosphere, with an enticing space for diners by the large front window...

 

Another triumph was the Pork fillet wrapped with prosciuuto, potato mash, witlof, red radish salad, and demi glace. This dish was almost decadent, with pork wrapped in prosciutto - a rich dish balanced by the salad.

Decor is modern with rustic tones including exposed brick, artwork and photos with Italian themes, concrete floor and the large pizza oven is visible throughout the restaurant.

 

Stephano encouraged us to sample the Margherita cooked in the large wood fired pizza oven. Many will say you can judge a joint that makes pizzas by its Margherita. We imbibed this fine pizza with its moorish crust, S. Marzano tomato, fior de latte mozzarella and basil. Amazingly, the pizza maker is an owner allergic to flour and wears a mask!

 

Tiramisu with a modern twist...

 

We were able to check out the wood oven for some of the best pizza in town. La Svolta is a vibrant convivial restaurant in South Yarra that will put a smile on your face and have you returning for more Italian fare.