The restaurant is behind the cacio e pepe parmesan cheese wheel special and other cheesy dishes, such as a legendary 29-cheese gnocchi creation from years past; so it's safe to say South Yarra's Cucinetta has a soft spot for all things doughy and cheesy. This cosy eatery specialises in generous pasta dishes, alongside a slew of other traditional Italian fare; its seasonally-changing menu heroing top local produce and home-style cooking. The pint-sized place (it's only 29 square metres, including the kitchen) might be small in size, but never in flavour. You might start with crispy saffron, pumpkin and rosemary arancini, duck liver terrine with toasted fruit bread and a salty plate of wagyu bresaola with truffle mayo. Pasta is the name of the game, so go for fresh fettuccine carbonara, linguine alla marinara, or soft potato gnocchi with zucchini, prawns, and tomatoes. Accompanied by an award-winning wine list, attentive service, and welcoming vibes, its the kind of neighbourhood jaunt you'd wish was your local.
