A lifetime ago, I posted about Gills Diner in Gills Alley, Melbourne. Since that time, I had the pleasure of dining at Gills Diner a number of times.
In September last year, there was a changing of the guard, and Gills Diner morphed into Trattoria Emilia. Instead of a European menu, Trattoria Emilia has narrowed its range to an exclusively Italian one. Trattoria Emilia is not named after a beautiful girl, as you may think on first glance, but rather, after the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy.
The updated interior is lighter and brighter than Gills Diner, and the walls are laden with Italian prints, keeping in with the theme of the establishment:
The menu at Trattoria Emilia focusses on a small selection of quality Italian dishes from various regions of Italy:
I have dined at Trattoria Emilia twice - once for lunch and once for dinner. I have also been there once for a pre-Christmas coffee, where we ate the most beautiful melt-in-your-mouth fruit mince pies ($3.50 each) from their bakery section. On all occasions, the service has been hospitable and prompt. As Trattoria Emilia is popular, I recommend booking to ensure that you have a table.
On my second visit to Trattoria Emilia, I shared two dishes with my colleague, Justine. The first dish was the Tagliatelle alla Bolognese ($19), with a pork and veal ragu:
The second dish, which I had also had on my previous visit for dinner, was the gnocchi di patate ($23), with rocket pesto, broad beans, bitter greens and pecorino:
Both dishes were superb - simple, tasty, perfection. There is nothing else to add. I have noticed on the Trattoria Emilia website that the gnocchi now has a seafood sauce. This is perhaps great news for seafood lovers, but sad for vegetarians, as this was a perfect vegetarian dish.
If you love Italian food, do try Trattoria Emilia when you are in town - or drop in for a coffee from their shiny espresso machine and a pastry.
360 Little Collins St
Melbourne VIC 3000
Phone: (03) 9670 7214
3 comments:
I do love Italian cuisine! This restaurant sounds excellent and the prices seem quite reasonable. It's always a joy to have a faultless night out xx
Simple tasty perfection is how I'd really like all my meals to be! Looks like a total winner! :D
Trattoria Emilia is my kind of place...and the dishes you show are ones I would love to eat!
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