Member Review by Kate Dal Forno

Becco is a classy act. We arrived with a quandry - what to name the new puppy which had been given as a present. Staff obliged our problem-solving task with a pen and docket book to mull over alternatives, and occasionally made suggestions according to our rules (no first names, no more than 2 syllables, nothing that sounds too insane to be calling in the park)... benson, watson, baxter, davis, ruebens, corby, lennon. More quandries were to arise as we perused the menu and here again the staff were very helpful. An extensive wine list is also offered - and the knowledgable staff assisted in navigating the maze - with many wines available by the glass.

Simply presented with a long kitchen running most of the narrow window-facing restaurant, quality fittings, and a real Melbourne-Italian feel arising from the lane outlook, terrrazo floors and wooden furniture. Maybe 20 tables of 2, 4 or 6 are available plus a bar area and food store. Upstairs is the "Bellavista social club" a make-over of a 1950's diamond cutting workshop, now operating as a late night bar and function venue.

The food is great - I sampled a tomato tart tatin with goats cheese which was divine in its simplicity and quality of produce. For main I enjoyed (+++) the Pepper Linguine with Braised Cornfed Chicken and Wild Baby Onions ($19 entree$25 main). My partner dipped in 3 times it was so amazing! His choice of Lamb Rack with Cotechino, Lentils, Rape and
Caramelised Parsnips was good but I spied the house speciality of Tagliata - Classic Italian Grilled Rare Porterhouse on Wild Rocket, Spanish Onions and Capers and wondered if we hadn't both missed a great dish! I was too full for proper dessert but he swore by the citrus tang of his Lemon Ricotta Cake, which came with pear and clotted cream, that it was good. Tiny delights such a homemade biscotti and torrone (full of nuts) accompanied excellent coffee.

We left impressed, sated and keen to visit again.

And we called the puppy Murphy.