MELBOURNE | Anthony Scutella and Alison Foley opened Piedmont influenced bar, Bar Olo, last year. It immediately became a hit with locals, which isn’t too much of a surprise given the continued love of many for their 15 year-old traditional Italian restaurant, Scopri, just up the road.
The old shopfront that was previously home to a Lebanese bakery has been transformed into a retro 40 seater, with brown, and beige tones, wood panelling, warm lighting, and a long, curved bar. It’s a small, cosy space, that invites you to get comfortable and settle in for the night.
A full page of around 30 wines by the glass showcases regional drops from Italian winemakers, with a few French, and Aussie options to round things out. Wines from Piedmont are especially represented, and the full bottle selection follows the same theme.
There’s a sharp list of house cocktails, like a Sangiovese Bramble, Amaro Daiquiri, and Barolo Sour. Classics are available on request, and there’s also a few local and Italian beers to choose from.
The one page food menu is predominantly made up of snacky dishes, with a few pastas and larger plates. Whether it’s a few things to enjoy with your wine, or a full meal that you want to put together, you can’t go wrong.
Lasagne croquettes deliver everything that you’d hope – indulgently dense squares of lasagne, crumbed and deep fried. Vitello tonnato lifted with fried capers are a top-tier classic, as is the grilled octopus with vodka sauce, and olive oil croutons.
Pasta is outstanding. There’s the signature agnolotti del plin from Scopri (pasta filled with roast rabbit, veal and pork, finished with silky butter and sage), tagliatelle with osso buco ragu; and, if you’re lucky, the excellent cacio e pepe special.
For large plates, its things like wagyu steak, saltimbocca skewer, and crumbed King George whiting. For dessert, you can round off your meal with the likes of tiramisu, and sticky toffee pudding.
Bar Olo
165 Nicholson Street
Carlton
Victoria 3053
Australia
Telephone: (03) 9347 0292
E-mail: [email protected]
Website
Open
Tue – Thu: 5:00pm to 12:00am
Fri – Sat: 4:00pm to 1:00am