Grazia Restaurant

Bright, light and fashionable as a sunny day in Positano, Grazia Restaurant is the Italian restaurant that the residents of Glen Iris have been crying out for. Sophisticated, yet chilled, with a menu that includes plenty of all-time favourites, plus a few innovations, this is a fabulous local eatery.

Grazia Restaurant

Location: 159 Burke Rd, Glen Iris, VIC 3146 Ph: (03) 9470 3540

When Joe Di Cintio of Sette Bello started renovating the entirety of the building at 159 Burke Road, Glen Iris, interest was peaked. What was coming? And would it see enough business to justify so such optimistic expenditure?

Now, it seems that Signor Di Cintio read the room very well.

His take on a modern Italian restaurant and bar in Melbourne’s affluent south-eastern suburbs has been booked out since opening. Whether it is for a post-work Apple Lychee Martini and a plate of Calamari Fritti Alla Joe at the bar, or a full-blown dinner with friends, Grazia Restaurant is thriving.

Indeed, the demand for Grazia’s Focaccia Di Recco – a thin Focaccia stuffed with Stracchino Cheese – is so strong, that the team has just opened a take away next door. But more on that later.

It’s not easy to create a destination dining post in the ‘burbs. Many have tried and failed. But Grazia Restaurant has sufficient allure to attract both locals and those from further afield.

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The Space

Light, airy and kissed with the warm tones of an Aperol Spritz hit by the sun. A drink that the bar staff mix with generous flair, incidentally.

Split over 2 levels, Grazia Restaurant sits just along Burke Road from Central Park.

The ground floor showcases an open kitchen and counter-top eating to the left. In contrast, there’s an extended banquette and tables flanking the right-hand wall. The smart terrazzo flooring, splashes of marble, and golden lighting harmonise beautifully with the rattan and sage green feature decor. Natural light floods this dining room thanks to a dramatic atrium. At the end of the space, a staircase leads up to the second level.

On the higher floor, there’s a bar and a more open dining area, complete with more generous-sized tables for larger groups. During the day, the restaurant glows with clear, crystalline light which is replaced by an amber glow come evening.

The ambience is at this neighbourhood Italian is really rather special. Sunny, relaxed and kissed with the chilled sophistication of a swish Mediterranean seaside resort.

The Food

The cuisine here is Roman-leaning Italian, made from the finest produce available.

Assaggini

The suggestion that these small plates are for sharing is all very well and good, but I’m not sure that I like anyone enough to split 1 Fiori Di Zucca with them. This particular Zucchini Flower arrives, crispy thanks to a Tempura Batter and fat with Lemony Ricotta. The dish is finished with a Fig and Grape Dressing.

I could eat about 12 of them.

Another great opener is the Arancini of Roasted Pumpkin, Smoked Scamorza & Rosemary on a Paprika Aioli. And they are also easier to divide up.

Antipasti

The greatest hits of Italian food keep coming with the Antipasti selection.

The Bresaola is excellent. Wafer thin air-dried Wagyu Beef, Rocket & Parmesan, elevated by Black Truffle Aioli & Fried Capers, plus Crostini to help shovel it all into your mouth. It’s a plate full of strong flavours that could compete with one another, but instead sing on the palate.

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If you fancy something a little different, give the Carpaccio Di Peperoni Arrosto a go. Sweet, flamed Peppers paired with salty Anchovy & Capers, Whipped Feta & a Sicilian Dressing. It’s a fabulous companion to that Bresaola mentioned above.

And of course, there’s the Calamari Fritti Alla Joe, for those who love all things pulled from the sea.

Pasta E Risotto

There’s plenty of seafood on display amongst the Pasta and Risotto as well.

For us, the star dish is the Pappardelle Con Aragosta E Gamberoni. This rich, fragrant bowl has silky Artisan-Made Pasta ribbons, studded with sweet, juicy chunks of Lobster, King Prawns & Cherry Tomatoes, sauced with a deeply-flavoured Lobster Bisque.

The ever-popular Italian take on dumplings appears in the form of Gnocchi Con Ragu Di Manzo. These are more-ish Potato pillows, reclining in a bath of Eight-Hour Braised Beef Cheek, Green Peas and a generous grating of Parmigiano.

Personally,I like to judge the skills of an Italian kitchen by sampling their Spinach & Ricotta Ravioli. Thankfully, the version at Grazia Restaurant, with its lush Napoli Sugo and Fior Di Latte, ticks all the right boxes.

Secondi and Contorni

Whilst we are suckers for a Cotoletta Di Vitello, the Petto D’Anaatra Arrosto at Grazia Glen Iris deserves a mention.

A blushing pink Roasted Duck Breast with a Spiced Carrot Puree, Cavolo Nero & glossy Amarena Cherry Glaze, it’s a gorgeous plate of food.

Also, make sure you ask after the Pesce Del Giorno. On our last visit it was a lovingly cooked piece of sweet Rockling with a bitter Radicchio Salad and a Herb-packed Sauce Gribiche. However, whatever is it, it’s sure to be delicious.

And yes. We know that Brussel Sprouts are a reliably divisive vegetable, but give them a chance. Here, the Cavolini Di Bruxelles are Caramelised and come with Crispy Guanciale. If anything is going to get to you eat your greens, this offering will.

Pizze

Given that Roman-style Pizzas are one of the big ticket items on the menu, you’d expect them to be good.

And they are.

Whether you like to keep it simple with a classic Margherita, or switch things up with a Mortadella E Pistacchio, the bases are light and tasty and the toppings show careful consideration.

Unless you’ve been hiding in a cave, you’ll be aware that all things Pistacchio are very much in vogue at the moment. And here at Eatability, we couldn’t be happier. That said, let us rave a wee bit about Grazia Restaurant’s exemplary Mortadella Pizza. A blister-edged base, spread with a vibrant Pistachio Pesto, layered with folds of Mortadella, Fior Di Latte & Pistachio dust, all crowned with a ripe Burrata Cheese. It’s sailed straight into my ever-evolving list of the top pizzas in Melbourne.

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However, it has stiff competition from the Tartufo Pizza. Slathered in a Mushroom & Truffle Sauce, with Mozzarella, Wild & Porcini Mushrooms, Confit Garlic & White Truffle Oil. It’s a fungi triumph.

Dolci

And so, to Dessert.

Perhaps, after all those lovely carbs, you can only fit in a scoop or 3 of House-Churned Gelato and Sorbet (3 for $16)?

Or maybe you fancy the Bombolini Siciliani? Sicilian Fried Doughnuts, rolled in Cinnamon Sugar, with Caramelised Spiced Apple & Vanilla Bean Ice Cream.

For us, all we can squeeze in is an Affogato. But when its Home-Made Vanilla Ice Cream doused in dark, bitter Espresso, what more could you want?

The Drinks

The Wine List is extensive and pleasingly comes By The Glass, as well as The Bottle.

Even better, there is a great range of Italian drops, alongside a number of French vineyards. And never fear, the local Australian producers also have a strong presence.

For those of us who like to kick off a meal with a Cocktail, Grazia Restaurant has a tightly curated list of 6.

Having given them all a run, we’re fans of Joe’s Punch – Vodka, Amaro Montenegro, Passionfruit & Lemon Juice, topped up with Prosecco. It’s a great way to open an evening of fine food and conversation.

The Service

First, let us acknowledge that we are very spoilt in Melbourne. We live in a city where superb service is the norm. And so, here at Eatability, we don’t always highlight the wait staff and bar people as much as we probably should.

But we really feel we must at Grazia Restaurant.

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We’ve now dined here a few times, and on every occassion our companions have commented on the fabulous staff. Friendly, helpful and solicitous, without being over-bearing. Moreover, it’s clear that the eatery understands that a great wait person can be any age – with a number of our most delightful servers being far older than you usually find in such a slick venue.

Bravo!

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Overall

Grazia Restaurant is exactly what this patch of south-east Melbourne needed. A smart, Lunch and Dinner establishment brimming with effortless sophistication.

By focusing on the cuisine of the owners roots, Grazia brings the irresistible Italian aromas and tastes of a chic Roman trattoria into the suburbs.

No wonder it is always teeming with patrons.

Editor’s Update:

Grazia D’Asporto

Location: 157 Burke Rd, Glen Iris, VIC 3146 Ph: (03) 9470 3540

Great news!

The folks at Grazia Restaurant have recently launched a take away venue, right next door to their Central Park eatery.

Grazia D’Asporto serves mainly Panini and Toasties from 7.30am – 3.30pm and then in the evening switches to predominantly Pizze and Contorni. All Italian, of course.

We popped by during the lunch rush to find the dinky little shop buzzing and Panini flying out the door. Our order? The spectacular Mortazza Panino – bulging with Mortadella, Stracciatella, Green Olives, Gherkin, Pistachio Pesto & Hot Honey. We also tried the Cotoletta Di Pollo, which matches Herb Crumbed Chicken Thigh with Provolone, Tomato, Lettuce, Green Sauce, Kewpie & Chef Joey D’s Chilli Crisp. Not surprisingly, it is also fantastic.

We have yet to give it a go, but we are reliably informed that the Arancini Carbonara is truly memorable.

All this and great Coffee too. No wonder Grazia D’Asporto is already jammed with customers.

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