Vialetto

PROFILED BY DE GROOTS MEDIA
Vialetto is a comfortable, multi-level restaurant happily positioned in one of Melbourne’s great eating laneways. There’s an outdoor area with tables and cosy inside rooms as well. Vialetto is usually busy, which says something about the place, and it’s cosy, with a wide choice of Italian dishes and friendly staff. The menu offers a range of appetisers, pasta and risotto dishes and even a couple of pizzas. For something more filling, the main menu offers braised lamb shanks with a red wine jus, roast duck with citrus sauce, and old favourites like veal scaloppine with ham and sage and white wine sauce.

The cooking is very sound, the ingredients fresh and the servings generous. The antipasto plate, presented on a high stand, is a good way for two or more to begin a meal. Look out for the specials on the left hand side of the menu: we liked the prosciutto-wrapped scallops with garlic and chive butter served in scallop shells. The wine list has a pretty good range, including wines by the glass, and is fairly priced. A bonus is the jazz band that plays in the evenings.

Rita Erlich