Mietta's Guide to Australian Restaurants
LocationIl Solito Posto
Ph: 9654 4466; BasementShop 4, Basement, 113 Collins St, Melbourne 3000 www.ilsolitoposto.com.au
Italian, $$ +
Open Mon-Fri 7.30am-1 2.30am Sat Bam-1 2.30am; Licensed, BYO, Corkage $20 bottle; AE DC MC V
Chef Daniel Woollard (5-12-08) Owner Michael Tenace & Then Poulakis (5-12-08)
Photo: Tony Knox
Mietta's Review
You step down into the bistro at Il Solito Posto and perch either at the bar or under the head height windows that look onto the footpath of the oddly named George Parade. If that doesn't suit go down a couple more steps into the restaurant proper. It has always had an indefinable attraction and, with the passing of time, this basement space seems more comfortable than ever, perhaps because the noise levels are lower. Service is efficient and not pushy, the prices and food are those of a smart city cafe. As it is open from breakfast till 1am it fits a number of needs - breakfast, a serious meal, coffee or just a drink.
Other published opinions
Age Good Food Guide 2009 Score: 14/20 "It's fortunate Il Solito Posto is a secluded stepdown off a lane - the sight of any Collins Street trams might shatter the illusion you really are in a Roman trattoria"
Age Good Food Guide 2008 Score: 13.5/20 "True to its name, Il Solito Posto is the usual place' for many of the CBD's more discerning office workers. They keep coming back to the cafe for the familiar breakfasts, reliable lunches and indulgent spread of magazines and paperbacks"
The Age Good Food Guide 2006 score 13/20 ""Into the laneway, past the bustling bar and glistening antipasti, down to the windowless basement, where bare wooden tables are set with dishes of olives and loaves of ciabatta. Once ensconced on a banquette surrounded by walls lined with wine, you could be anywhere. Chances are, though, you'll be lounging back and thinking of Italy.
The Age Good Food Guide 2005 "WALKING into this low-lit basement trattoria makes you feel immediately relaxed. Staff might be dressed in all black, be-tied and sporting black aprons, but the wooden tables are uncluttered, faux-wicker seating comfortable and atmosphere easy-going."
Age Epicure Matt Preston 7/9/04 "It is unpretentious and beautifrully maintained, with raw baltic pine floorboards, chunky timber tables, brocade fabric banquettes and iron-framed wicker chairs. Rays of sunshine enter via skylights in the Collins Street footpath and almost every nook, cranny and shelf is devoted to expensive wine bottles, decanters and boxes of wine. You get the picture."
AGFG 2004, score 13/20
The Age, Sunday Life, 8/2/04, John Lethlean,'Il Solito Posto has a bar serving snacks and breakfast at the front and a smarted basement dining room where things are more expensive.'
The Age, A2, 29/11/03, Melinda Houston
Herald Sun, sundaymagazine, eating out, Sally Fisher, 2003
Age, Under $10, David Sutherland, 24/9/02.
Or perhaps ...
39 Pizzeria & Degustation Victoria
Arrivederci Aroma Victoria
Near the Queen Victoria Market serving Italian food and coffee. Can be noisy with its rather industrial design.
Becco Victoria
Popular, well pitched, inner city Italian - very Melbourne. Good litttle bar attached. Mains around $40.
Benito's Victoria
Benito's feels like an old friend. The menu at breakfast and lunch is Italian, and in the early evenings it's antipasto and wine.
Bottega Victoria
The room is pleasant, the dishes are simple but well done, and are complimented by a thoughtful wine selection.
Caffe Cento Venti Victoria
Caffe Cento Venti has it all; a bar, a cafe, an upmarket restaurant and an outdoor area under the plane trees at the Paris end of Collins Street.
Cafe Intimo Victoria
Cafe L'Incontro Victoria
A standard cafe but the position nestled next to the Town Hall makes it all worthwhile on a fine day.
Caterina's Cucina e Bar Victoria
Caterina's is only open lunches, it is primarily a businessman's dining room. Service is very good.
Federal Coffee Palace Victoria
Florentino Cellar Bar Victoria
The tiny tables support large plates of pasta, and the bar, the elbows of the drinkers. Dark wood lined and clubby.
Florentino Grill Room Victoria
A classic grill-room, good ingredients simply but correctly cooked, served by professional waiters
Il Bacaro Victoria
The epitome of Italian style and flavour. A gem of a place, cosily chic or crowded, depending on your girth.
Il Solito Posto Victoria
You step down into the bistro at Il Solito Posto and perch either at the bar, under the head height windows or go down a couple more steps into the restaurant proper.
The Italian Victoria
The Italian has moved half a block to swanky new, multi-layered premises, at the rear of 101 Collins St. Coffee bar on Flinders La, restaurant above.
Italy 1 Victoria
In a narrow laneway, off the Paris end of Collins Street, is Italy 1, a small and intimate restaurant
Lucia's Place Victoria
Nick's Bar 207 Victoria
Nick's is not new. It's an old-style trattoria with traditional Italian food served by friendly staff.
Nick's Spaghetti Bar Victoria
Nick's feeds a lot of lawyers and other business folk nearby. There's a number of different rooms and a courtyard area.
Nostro Baretto Victoria
Ortigia Victoria
Mostly take-away this very popular pizza lunch spot at the legal end of town
Piadina Victoria
Sarti Victoria
A lovely rooftop space with courtyard serving simple but well executed dishes. There's also a cheaper bar menu.
Society Victoria
Solarino Victoria
Sud Food & Wine Bar Victoria
Tablecloths and a quality setting give this deep room, with its banquette seating, a sense of formality.
Tazio Birraria And Pizzeria Victoria
Treviso Victoria
Wheat Victoria