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Becco
Ph: (03) 9663 3000; 11 Crossley St, MELBOURNE 3000 www.becco.com.au
Modern Italian, $$ +, ** for Food & Ambience, Good Wine List
Open Mon-Sat noon-3pm, 6-11pm; bar noon-late, Closed Sunday, some public holidays; Licensed; AE DC MC V, Seats inside 85, Private room
Chef Elizabeth Egan, Domenic Pipicelli & Corin Sutton (7-11-07) Owner Elizabeth Egan, Simon Hartley & Richard Lodge (7-11-07)
Photo: Tony Knox
Mietta's Review
So what is the secret of Becco's success? Is it the lively bar scene at the entrance, the series of rooms cascading down Crossley St, the window onto the little lane, the open kitchen that follows the flow of the rooms? Or is it the Melbourne-Italian menu with its cleverly priced dishes, the excellent service, the fact that you're guaranteed to meet someone you'd like to catch up with? Who knows - who cares? Sensibly people just relax with a glass of wine from the well chosen list and enjoy all of the above. The bar is open through the afternoon until late.
Other published opinions
Age Good Food Guide 2008 Score: 16/20, Two Hats "There are two types of diner in this institution: business people and normal people. Likewise there can be two types of service: the special type generally reserved for heavy-hitting heavy tippers; and the normal service - still pretty darned good - for those of us on domestic budgets"
Gourmet Traveller 2008 Australian Restaurant Guide Score: ** "Many CBD restaurants sing for the business crowd with an Italian accent but few have managed to do so as consistently, and with such a sense of casual style, as the laneway gem Becco"
The Age Good Food Guide 2006 score 17/2 2 Hats "Is Becco too young to be called an institution? Certainly this nine-year-old has the credentials to earn such an epithet. There's the impeccable front-of-house team marshalled by Richard Lodge and Simon Hartley"
Gourmet Traveller 2006 Australian Restaurant Guide ** "Becco is justly considered one of the city's best restaurants for Italian - or any other - food. The favoured CBD haunt of a raft of powerbrokers - and those who just appreciate excellent, simple food with great wine and service - it has a glamorous, yet slightly boho charm. The kitchen keeps things simple but pure, with produce to the fore."
Gourmet Traveller 2006 Australian Restaurant Guide Best business lunches "everything is built around respect for the customer, whatever his or her agenda. The positives here include great Italian-ish and accessible food and staff that really understand their wine."
The Age Good Food Guide 2005 "IT has taken Becco only eight years to establish the sort of reputation many Melbourne restaurateurs spend a lifetime pursuing. From the warm greeting, Becco's commitment is evident"
Gourmet Traveller 2005 Restaurant Guide "It's the whole package at Becco that makes you completely contented once you're ensconced at your linen-clothed table. Coowners Simon Hartley and Richard Lodge are a constant presence on the floor, overseeing expert bistro choreography"
Take 5 John Lethlean 22/8/04 "The '50s architecture; the city crowd; the handsome waiters in their white shirts and aprons; the fastidious attention to detail; the light, modern Italian food"
Age A2 Jane Faulkner 30/10/04 "In a city short on top-class Italian restaurants, Becco needs no introduction."
Age Epicure Espresso Matt Preston 5/10/04 "A two-hatted, modern Italian city restaurant, Becco has an enviable reputation for consistency and excellence forged by its two youthful - I'm tempted to say laddish rulers, Simon Hartley and Richard Lodge."
The Foodies' Guide 2004,Allan Campion & Michele Curtis,'One of those restaurants that just does everything perfectly,from the Italian-inspired menu to the thoughtful service.Come with a group of friends or for an intimate tete-a-tete,but make sure you try Fiorina's stuffed olives and the house drink,Becco Macchiato.'
SMH GFG 2004,'the service is polished,the welcome genuine and the delicious Mediterranean-inspired food perfectly married to the wonderful,affordable wines.'
The Age Good Food Guide 2004 Awards-2 hats
Gourmet Traveller Restaurant Guide Australia 2004, 2 Black Stars, Excellent wine list,'perfecting a grown-up Australian version of the bistro.It's all about balence:the inclusive, fishbowl dining room is host to an ongoing contest between perennially enjoyable food,slick and egalitarian service, a great understanding of wine and an urgent,impressive vibe.'
Vogue Entertaining & Traveller, March April 2003
The Age Good Food Guide 2003. Special Award for Service Excellence. Score 16/20.
The Saturday Age, A2, Food & Wine, Jane Faulkner, 24/5/03
Herald Sun, Weekend, Bob Hart, 26/10/02
Age Good Food Guide 2002 - Two Hats - Score16/20
The Sunday Age, Sunday Life, Eat Streets, 23/3/02
Herald Sun, 04.11.00, Michael Harden
The Age (Epicure), 01.05.00
The Melbourne Times, 23-29.12.97, John Lethlean "Restaurant of the Year 1997"
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