When you leave a venue with your top button undone, some extra cushioning around your sides, and a sore jaw from smiling so much, you know it’s been a great night. Roccella, the all in one Italian eatery in East Melbourne ensures each experience, has you feeling the same.
This one stop shop caters for it all. Early morning risers can get their caffeine fix and freshest fluffiest sourdough baked on the premises. Pop in for lunch from the city or surrounds for a gorgeous glass of Italian vino and some anti pasti with a stunning view of East Melbourne gardens. And a special occasion dinner will have you gloating, with an Italian aperitif to tickle your taste buds, followed by a carb load heaven. Their ain’t no calorie counting at this joint.
When house made bread arrives at your table with premium Mornington peninsula olive oil, it may be tempting to go heavy handed with seconds. Do yourself a favour and don’t. As next course that same wonderful bread features again but this time toasted and as a bruschetta with a fiery red tomato and soft white stracciatella. Carb loading continues with their freshly made pasta. Seafood fans delight in the golden curls bathing in a robust tomato sugo and succulent chunks of mussels, clams and calamari rings.
Then, the debate of the night. Which pizza base to choose. With an option of 4 – traditional, ancient grain, charcoal and gluten free, you’re torn with confusion. Thankfully though – there is no wrong choice. While a dark grey cloud is usually an ominous sign, Roccella’s activated charcoal base made from coconut shells is the complete opposite. A circular puffy grey cushion dough is the bed that holds a rainbow in the verdura(veg) pizza. Rosy red peperonata, vibrant green zucchini, and earthy eggplant are covered in a dreamy white cheese. Each bite makes your top button loosen, but when you taste the glorious crunch, the overindulgent belly becomes tomorrow’s problem. A side of greens is decadent as a fresh, bitter rocket leaves are balanced by a sticky sweet, caramelised truffle honey and lathering’s of pecorino cheese.
No matter how full you are from this gluttonous affair, there’s always a little pocket of room in your stomach for sweet stuff. Again coeliacs can revel as traditional Sicilian cannolo oozes a whipped ricotta, and Nutella pizza (all can be made gluten free), or keep it simple with their authentic Gelato direct from their cart. (and the best bit, you can take it all home).
“Come Hungry, Leave Smiling.” That is the ethos of Roccella, and after a visit there, its very clear why.
Roccella
158 Clarendon St, East Melbourne VIC 3002
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Image credits: Social Scramble