PROFILED BY DE GROOTS MEDIAIt isn’t hard to find Italian restaurants in Canberra. Nor is it very difficult to find good Italian restaurants in Canberra. But to find a fantastic Italian restaurant, in the centre of town no less, is certainly a rare treat. Holding court in the corner of the Melbourne Building, where any restaurant would have some fierce competition from neighbours in this self-proclaimed food-strip, Mezzalira stands proud. Floor to ceiling glass windows spill cheerful light out onto the street at night, while the smells of cucine rustica waft through an open door. This restaurant is hardly a well-kept secret, but Mezzalira also does a roaring trade in political dinners – expect Nelson or Turnbull to be debriefing here after this year’s Budget.
Political beliefs aside, all come to Mezzalira for one thing and one thing alone; quite possibly Canberra’s best Italian food. Mezzalira has an extensive wine list that is a must-read, although the helpful wait-staff seem to know exactly which wine best complements the chef’s masterpieces.
FOOD AND BEVERAGEMezzalira's wine list is pretty impressive, offering regional, Australian and Italian wines with many available by the glass. Corkage is $8.50 a bottle.