Overview
Park Street Pasta & Wine is an absolute banger of a neighbourhood Italian diner — with pasta made in-house and a heavy focus on head chef Bartoli's Tuscan roots. The venue itself is elegant and understated, on a beautiful corner terrace on Park Street, South Melbourne. With a minimalist approach and carefully curated artwork, the food is the star here and is presented with style.
As is in the name, handmade pasta is the star of the show, with a seasonal selection of truly outstanding dishes up for grabs. The cacio e pepe is a knock-out dish, incredibly rich and creamy, and the pappardelle with slow-cooked wild boar is a must for any cold night in Melbourne. Alternatively, if you're after something on the fresher side, opt for the smoked ricotta ravioli with semi-dried roasted tomato sauce, caperberries, lemon zest and mint.
You could simply come and order a few bowls of pasta to share — pairing it all with some vino — and be very content. But those after a long lunch or dinnertime feast should also sample a few cheeky starters. The crudo kingfish sashimi with parsley sauce and smoked oyster mayo, and the burrata with Sicilian caponata are both made for summertime spritz sip-and-snack sessions. And the deep-fried buffalo mozzarella carrozza with salsa verde and anchovies is a must-order. First off, who doesn't love fried cheese? Secondly, it's top-grade buffalo mozzarella which is stunning as it is. And thirdly, the seasonal toppings tend to have a good kick of salt and spice that bring the dish to a whole other level.
When it comes to bevs, the team takes great care in sourcing local and Italian wines, offering 14 by the glass and a huge selection by the bottle. Classic cocktails and signature sips are also available alongside beers, mocktails, aperitifs and digestifs.
The few seats inside are great for those wanting a cosy night out, but we are all about nabbing a street-side table when the sun is shining. Park St Pasta is easily one of Melbourne's top Italian restaurants and home to some of the city's best pasta.
Top image: Roberto Pettinau.
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