MONTALCINO RISTORANTE

820 Ferntree Gully Road
Wheelers Hill

http://www.montalcinoristorante.com.au/

Montalcino opened its doors several months ago on the site of the old Sofia’s Pizza and Pasta Restaurant.  Of course comparisons between the two establishments were made straight away.  We heard feedback from several friends who complained how expensive it was and that it was no longer a good place for kids. 

Looking for a new place to try, J and I decided to give it a go and see if the negative feedback was warranted.  Well weren’t we in for a pleasant surprise?  The service was friendly and efficient and the value for money excellent.  Yes it is expensive compared to Sofia’s prices but no more so than any other decent Italian restaurant serving pizza/pasta and mains.  Children were more than welcome and the price of the kids meals even included a pencil and colouring pack to keep them amused...always a good thing!

And be warned...the servings here are huge!  Unless you’re a professional sportsperson and need to load up on carbs, the entree size pasta is plenty big enough for the average person.  The desserts are massive too...your best option is sharing unless you’ve deliberately left room!

WE ORDERED
For starters we ordered a Herb Focaccia with Cheese – Homemade focaccia pizza style -

J had an entree size of Fettuccine Gambero – Prawns and scallops in a creamy garlic and herb sauce -

I had a main size of Gnocchi Pollo Funghi – Chicken in a creamy mushroom sauce -

For dessert J had the trio of icecream -

I had the Chocolate Mousse -

WE THOUGHT
The focaccia was really tasty with the middle pieces being moist and cheesy and not at all dry.

We both loved the homemade pasta, you could really see and taste the difference in quality.  J couldn’t fault her Fettuccine Gambero and particularly loved the sauce.  Light and pillow like, I thought the gnocchi was some of the best I have ever eaten.  And the sauce was to die for.  I shudder to think how much cream might have been included but I didn’t find it oily or heavy at all.  Unfortunately the size of it got the better of me and regretfully I had to leave almost half of it behind.

J was impressed that the icecream served was Norgen-Vaaz.  You could select which flavours you wanted and when one of the flavours she originally ordered was unavailable, a waiter kindly returned to our table and listed all of the flavours left that she could choose from.

I had originally been going to go for the Triple Choc Mint Cake but one look at it in the display and I knew that I would only be able to devour a few mouthfuls...it looked so inviting but so rich!  When I am really too full for dessert but want to order it anyway, Chocolate Mousse is always my pick.  Sometimes it can backfire by being just as rich as a piece of cake, but Montalcino’s was beautifully light and fluffy and I was easily able to get through it although I was relieved it wasn’t any bigger!

WE LIKED
The quality of the food.  Lots of parking.  Would be particularly good for large groups.

WE DISLIKED
Tables were a bit too close together.  I had to swap chairs with one at another table when I first sat down as mine had a very wonky leg.

WILL WE RETURN?
For sure.  Great service, food and value for money mean we’ll definitely be back.  I hope more of the locals give it a try and realise that it is worth paying more to get good quality food, service and value for money.

8/10

SETTE BELLO

540 Springvale Road 
Glen Waverley

http://www.settebello.com.au

Ever since Herald Sun restaurant reviewer Stephen Downes ventured out to Glen Waverley and reviewed the newly opened Sette Bello a few years ago, I knew it must be something special.  It’s not often that food critics make the trip out to the south eastern suburbs so when they do, you know they are usually on to something.

Rather bizarrely located in the middle of the Brandon Business Park on the corner of Springvale and Ferntree Gully Roads, Sette Bello has a captive market of business people by day and knowledgeable locals by night.  Hubby and I decided to give it a try on a recent Saturday night and see if it lived up to the hype.  There are two sittings on Friday and Saturday nights – 6 p.m. and 8 p.m.  Needing to be back at a reasonable hour to pick up Miss Three, we went for 6.00. 

The menu is Italian based with some Modern Australian leanings.  Complementary bread is served and water glasses are constantly filled by the wait staff.

On the whole, we had a great night.  It was nice to see quite a few families with children dining here too, despite the fine dining menu and prices.

WE ORDERED

For entree, I had the Porchetta; Crispy skinned rolled pork belly with a fennel and citrus salad and a Pedro Ximenz reduction (this could also be ordered as a Main Course).

Hubby had Hervey Bay (Queensland) scallops in the half shell 2 ways with a capsicum chilli salsa, and gratinated gremolata and ceviche of mint, lime, chilli, cucumber and avocado.

For main course I had Duck and wild mushroom risotto with Barolo wine and shaved parmesan

Hubby had WA king prawn and crab meat risotto with crustacean bisque and fresh tomato

For dessert I had Spinge - Italian doughnuts, honey, vincotto and rum raisin ice cream

Hubby had Callebaut Belgium chocolate fondant with a white chocolate milkshake and vanilla bean ice cream

WE THOUGHT
I was slightly disappointed with my entree pork...it was slightly dry in parts and the skin was more chewy than crispy...but the flavours of the dish were excellent, especially those of the accompanying salad.  The risotto was full of flavour...not as good as the similarly flavoured one I'd had at Tutto Bene but close.  The Italian doughnuts were great but it was a bit difficult to eat them without a knife.  I thought they needed some sort of filling...they were a little doughy and could have done with some jam or custard.  The rum raisin ice-cream they were served with was excellent.

Hubby found the scallops with the salsa slightly too tangy but thought they were balanced well by the gremolata ones.  He would also have liked some shaved parmesan on his risotto (I gave him some of mine).  He thought the Chocolate Fondant filling was very rich but well balanced by the ice-cream and milkshake (these were both highlights and full of flavour).

WE LIKED
Overall the food was of a very high standard.  The service was excellent and we were really made to feel welcome by every staff member.  It was nice to experience a fine dining menu and service in a casual atmosphere.  There is lots of parking...no need to drive around frantically looking for a spot here!

WE DISLIKED

The tables for two were slightly too close together for my liking.  It also got a bit noisy later in the night. 

WILL WE RETURN?

Absolutely.  With its excellent food and service and ample parking, we’ll definitely be making a return visit.  This is a real gem...newspaper reviewers should venture out to the suburbs more often!

8.5/10