La Cacciatora - Melbourne

I have been to La Cacciatora four times and really enjoy the Italian country cooking. Their pizza by the metre is excellent and slightly different to your run o... read more I have been to La Cacciatora four times and really enjoy the Italian country cooking. Their pizza by the metre is excellent and slightly different to your run of the mill. Their mains especially the game are all excellent.

Many years ago we lived in the heart of Carlton and often went to a cosy Italian family restaurant called La Cacciatora. We had to return to Carlton recently an... read more Many years ago we lived in the heart of Carlton and often went to a cosy Italian family restaurant called La Cacciatora. We had to return to Carlton recently and were amazed to see the restaurant still there and still thriving forty five years on. Surely such longevity could only happen in Melbourne. The Mercogliano family originally from Vicenza established it 1959 and it's still in family hands, with personable granddaughter Eleanora serving our lunch and her sister Bianca the pastry-chef on maternity leave. The Cacciatora translates to "The Hunter" and sure enough there on the wall is the portrait of Grandfather Attialo who founded the restaurant, in hunting gear, gun in hand, with dogs sniffing at the brace of pheasants hanging at his waist. I had the lobster ravioli and my wife had pappardelle with duck ragout, both with fresh homemade pasta. Both were delicious. They are also famous for their quail, duck, pheasant and rabbit. The lunch was made even more memorable with a reasonably priced and excellent bottle of Barbera D'Alba. Sadly the Italian Cassata we used to enjoy for dessert was no longer on the menu, but the Gelato was a good substitute. The old world decor has remained unchanged over all these years but for us this was part of the charm. It was heartening that in contrast to Sydney where it's rare for a restuarant to last even ten years, Melbourne is prepared to value and appreciate it's culinary history.

Our party of eight all enjoyed the pizza served here. The restaurant is a little dated and doesn't have the same vibe of long ago. If you are not fussed by this... read more Our party of eight all enjoyed the pizza served here. The restaurant is a little dated and doesn't have the same vibe of long ago. If you are not fussed by this and just want a no fuss, reasonably good pizza at a fair price then go for it. The crab linguine was very nice on the day including the crab legs it was served with.

The food at this restaurant is fantastic and authentic, and the service is exceptional. read more The food at this restaurant is fantastic and authentic, and the service is exceptional.

Delicious pizzas at a reasonable cost with welcoming staff. read more Delicious pizzas at a reasonable cost with welcoming staff.