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Belluci's Trattoria

Editorial Review

Editorial Review

The first of the three Belluci's, the Dickson restaurant has undergone some cosmetic surgery and, like many who have gone under the knife, has emerged looking better but a little odd. An attempt at a mod, open-plan dining room gets half way there, but the very masculine decor could do with a bit of softening and the whole room ends up feeling a little cavernous and echoey. First impressions notwithstanding, the Belluci chain has won itself a name for reliably good, if somewhat pricey, Italian food. It is open for lunch and dinner seven days a week and is popular for takeaway pizza as well.

The menu covers pizzas, pastas, risottos and traditional Italian meals like veal scallopini and parmigiana. Start with the gamberi alla diavola (devilled king prawns with harissa dressing, served on roast kumera). Follow with the agnello di shanco (braised lamb shanks on mashed potato with a fruity citrus, apricot and fig sauce). Vegetarians are decently catered for on the clearly delineated menu. The wine list is mostly Australian with some Italian imports, and almost all wines are available by the glass. There's a range of cocktails and beers on tap, with BYO wine for $3.50 per person. The dessert selection is rich and enticing. Try the Mars Bar parfait or lemon lime pannacotta to finish.

Sarah Theeboom, May 2007