 a few months ago. The focus is now on Italian American fare.){kind=link}
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MELBOURNE | Pepe’s Italian & Liquor replaced CBD stalwart Trunk Restaurant (Trunk Diner is still there) a few months ago. I’d heard good things, so when they invited me in to check out their new direction, I was happy to say yes.
Gone is the US diner vibe, replaced with a New York bistro feel. The menu focuses on Italian American dishes, inspired by owner Nick Kutcher’s time spent living in NYC. Think hearty dishes, pizza, pasta, and generous servings. The cocktail list is pretty darn good too.
I enjoyed everything that I tried, starting with casino clams. Casino clams is dish that originated in New England and very popular in the trattorias on NYC. It’s baked diamond clams with gunaciale, garlic butter, and pangrattato. Very tasty.
The steak tartare is also great. It’s presented unadorned with various herbs and spices, and crisps on the side, and mixed on the table by your waiter. Very fresh and bright with a nice subtle mix of flavours.
A highlight, and something that’s really hard to go past when you see it on the menu, is the veal parmigiana. It’s served with its bone on the side, and lots of red sauce and cheese. There’s a small pizza cutter to cut it up, and it’s all kinds of wonderful. Definitely a dish to share – it’s huge.
For fans of desert, I’ve been told that the sundae is very popular, but I opted to finish my meal with a simple New York style baked lemon cheesecake. Even if you’re full from everything else you’ve eaten this cheesecake is nice and light and easy to demolish.
Pepe’s Italian & Liquor
275 Exhibition Street
Melbourne
Victoria 3000
Australia
Telephone: (03) 9663 7994
E-mail: [email protected]
Website
Open
Mon – Fri: 12:00pm to 12:00am
Sat – Sun: 4:00pm to 12:00am