DETAILS
Marking its 10th anniversary, Il Bacaro is a long standing icon and a quintessential Melbourne dining experience. Located in the CBD, its low candle-lit dining room encases an impressive horse-shoe shaped bar. It boasts a truly distinct and intimate Venetian mood with a jazzy aural background, dark leather banquette seats and polished hard wood floors. Il Bacaro serves a Modern Italian cuisine of simple yet impeccable ingredients. The menu itself is divided to include antipasti, secondi and dolci, all accompanied by an impressive wine list and charming service.
Profiled by de Groots Media
Tucked away on Little Collins Street, Il Bacaro Cucina e Bar is no secret to its city folk patrons who have frequented it for more than a decade now. Claiming to be “the epitome of Italian style and flavour”, Il Bacaro once was one of Melbourne’s best kept dining secrets. Popular with the business lunch brigade who relish in its proximity to the CBD, large wooden blinds, dark timber, mood lighting and funky artwork by Jeremy Kibel ensure it is also a hit for more romantic affairs. Service is attentive yet unobtrusive and the small dining room is filled with the lingering of Italian accents.
When former head chef Riccardo Momesso parted ways with Il Bacaro, Maurice Esposito was quick to snap up his vacated position in the kitchen. However after it became apparent that this was not a perfect fit, owner Joe Mammone was left searching for a replacement. After unsuccessfully trialling interested parties he decided to promote sous chef David Dellai who now continues the tradition of serving perfectly balanced traditional Italian dishes with a modern influence. The extensive and extraordinary wine list boasts a strong Italian contingent with more than 26 offered by the glass.
Veda Wickens, July 2007
