EAT > Il Bacaro, Melbourne (18/20)

I moved from Sydney to Melbourne in 1995 and immediately fell in love with the remarkable bars and restaurants that had a truly unique style about them. One of those restaurants was Il Bacaro which launched that same year on Little Collins Street (just off Russell St).

As you enter the restaurant the dark wood panelling and the horseshoe marble bar that separates the two sides of the room is also providing a visual point of focus. There is a sense of calm smooth movement as drinks are poured and bread arrives at the table (each with well ironed white table cloths). Diane says that the waiters all look like George Clooney and no doubt they are a handsome lot, but they are also smooth and exceptionally professional.

FOOD >

Executive Chef David Dellai presents a menu designed to showcase a refined approach to Venetian cuisine and to also emphasise the use of local Victorian produce. It is a delightful mix dishes that will both inspire and excite you. They offer a two course set menu ($99) or a three course set menu ($120) or you can order a la carte.

We started with burrata di bufala served with artichoke, broad bean, mint salsa verda and pea tendril ($33) a lovely take on classic flavours. Also a venison tartare with egg yolk, blackberry, spring onion and nori ($33), I am am not usually a huge fan of venison I find that the flavour can be a bit strong but this was absolutely delicious. Finally there was scampi bisque with finger limes and chives ($35), if I am honest I did not read the menu closely enough and was a bit surprised that the dish was scampi in tasty bisque broth, it was very tasty and the scampi was delicately cooked and offset perfectly by the pop of the finger lime caviar, but it wasn’t my favourite dish.

For main course I had the ricotta and smoked tomato agnolotti with a veal ragu, cherry tomatoes and stracciatella ($48), Simon had the suckling pig served with carrot, blood lime and Geraldton wax ($56) this is one of the hero dishes for the restaurant and was very good.

Desert was agave nectar cheesecake with crystallised violet, creme frâiche, pop rocks, blueberry sorbet and fairy floss ($26), outstanding (even if I am not a fan of pop rocks) this was a wonderful desert. Simon had the chocolate fondant tart served with cumquat, marscapone & miso gelato ($25).

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Image Credit | Il Bacaro & Crispy Almanak

WINE >

With over 400 wines on the list and an excellent range available by the glass there was plenty to choose from though the focus is on Italian wines you will also find an excellent small selection of wines from around the world. There is also an extensive cocktail list; Il Bacaro have been making one of Melbourne’s best Negroni’s for more than 30 years!

We enjoyed a William Fevre Petit Chablis 2019 to start and then a Cordero Montezemolo Barolo 2018 which was one of the very nicest Barolo’s that I have had, especially at this price point given how expensive premium Barolo’s can get.

CONCLUSION >

This is a place where the food is delicious and the service excellent. Wine list is at the premium end and the food is not cheap but this is a special place for special events and when you leave there is no doubt you will feel special too.

Food 4/5, Service 5/5, Wine 4.5/5, Room 4.5/5 = 18/20.

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