Villa Romana

Lygon Street has been many things for many years; centre of Italian Melbourne (if not Italian Australia), tourist destination, cultural precinct, ethnic enclave, a hub for cafe and gelato lovers. However like any popular precinct, it has begun to age in recent years. The number and quality of Italian restaurants on Melbourne’s most famous eating street has fallen somewhat, perhaps an inevitable byproduct of the precinct’s popularity.

Reef and Beef and Chicken Parmagiana at Villa Romana

A few months ago some good friends of mine told me that they were planning to take me out for a dinner at an Italian restaurant on Lygon Street, Carlton. I was interested to see where they had chosen to eat, as I know that they both appreciate yummy food, and I hadn’t been to Lygon Street for years.

Vegetarian Pizza at Villa Romana

Villa Romana, they told me, is not just their favourite place, but the best place for hearty Italian meals on the strip. And they weren’t wrong; while this place might not serve the dainty degustation meals that are “so now”, it consistently dishes up tasty, filling, familiar and above all generous plates. While most are classically Italian, there are a few nods to Australiana too; “reef and beef” (surf and turf) and  being one of them.

Caesar Salad at Villa Romana

The vegetarian pizza hit the right spot – laden with toppings and lashings of mozzarella, and wood fired to perfection. Chicken Parmagiana, while not strictly an Italian dish (much more a Melbourne pub classic) is at it’s usual comforting finest. The dish I ordered, and we all agreed it was the standout, was the Gnocchi Zucca; plenty of fluffy potato dumplings in a roasted pumpkin, pinenuts, fetta and cream sauce.

My absolutely delicious Gnocchi Zucca at Villa Romana

Don’t forget to leave room for dessert too – the sticky date pudding is to die for. All in all, Villa Romana is my new favourite on Lygon Street, and has rescued the precinct from my opinion of tourism-stuck mediocrity. My friends agreed too – we have been back since, and are planning to go again soon!

Sticky Date Pudding at Villa Romana

Details

Food: 8/10

Ambience: 7/10

Service: 8/10

Cost: Mains $18 – $40

252 Lygon Street, Carlton, Melbourne

(03) 9650 7990

villaromanacarlton.com.au

Monday – Sunday: 12pm – 11pm

Chicken Parmagiana at Villa Romana

Do you love Italian food? What’s your favourite dish?