A triangulation of food, art and X-factor, Di Stasio Città hit Melbourne with the energy of nuclear fission. Cementing Rinaldo Di Stasio’s reputation as the Medici of Melbourne’s hospitality scene, the top end of town address means the glitterati, politerati and literati accustomed to trekking to the St Kilda mothership can now enjoy an utterly familiar menu of Italian perfection right in their spiritual heartland. The maltagliati with calamari and radicchio has made the trip to Spring Street; so too the saltimbocca alla Romana and the ricotta gnudi. The chase of the new isn’t Città’s speed – not unless you count the avant-garde video installations playing on loop – but park yourself in the brutalist dining room with the certainty your Negroni will be mixed expertly and the anchovy and sage leaf fritters are the perfect aperitivo to accompany it. The opening of nearby Bar Democratico in 2022 promises to further split the local restaurant scene’s atom in the most captivating way.
This review was made independently for the Gourmet Traveller Restaurant Guide. The guide’s reviewers visit unannounced and pay their way.
Gourmet Traveller Restaurant Guide 2022
Our guide gives a yearly snapshot of the best restaurants to eat at right now. The best-rated restaurants, as judged by the reviewers’ first-hand experience, form our national Top 80.
Josh Robenstone
