Overview
D.O.C Espresso has sat in the same spot on Lygon Street for 20 years, playing a big part in Melbourne's contemporary Italian restaurant renaissance — which saw a more modern style of Italian dining take over the city.
After so many years of business, the crew thought the space needed a little love, and so shut up shop for renovations back in August this year. But the team didn't just redo the interiors during this break. The chefs also redesigned the menu and the owners renamed the venue D.O.C Osteria.
It reopened on Thursday, October 24, and is already welcoming old regulars back to see what they think of the changes. The new fitout sees the space gain a little more glamour — while still holding onto its semi-casual charm — with the inclusion of gold finishes, luxe red marble countertops and banquette seating. The weatherproof streetside dining area and courtyard out back also got a little revamp, plus the team expanded the kitchen to help the chefs make more fresh pasta onsite.
As it was with D.O.C Espresso, Osteria has a strong focus on pasta — keeping a few dishes from the previous menu while reworking others and creating a smattering of new creations. Regulars will be glad to see that the famed lasagne remains — as does the funghi pasta, but in a slightly different form. We will admit that we preferred the original version, but this porcini and portobello number is still worth ordering.
The mixed seafood linguine, though, is an absolute banger. Packed with calamari, prawns, mussels and rockling, and dowsed in garlic and chilli, it is more or less a must-order.
The small bites have also been given a heap of love, helping D.O.C become a great destination for sipping and snacking — either alone, on a date or with a few mates. Get around the trio of cicchetti, its succulent marbled Rangers Vallery black Angus skewer, and a moreish crochetta — a crumbed and deep-fried cube of bucatini pasta, guanciale (cured pork cheek), pecorino cheese and black pepper.
The playful take on a classic panzanella salad is also a huge win, made with ox heart tomatoes, grilled focaccia, cucumber sauce and a balsamic crunch. There's a really good blend of simple comfort food and more elevated interpretations of classics — letting diners choose their own kind of Italian dining adventure.
There are also plans to renovate the D.O.C Delicatessen & Espresso next door soon, helping it transition into a specialty grocer, paninoteca and cafe.
D.O.C Osteria is open from 12pm every day of the week, and is located at 326 Lygon Street, Carlton. For more details, you can check out the venue's website.