Member Review by BBG

The ambience is quiet with nice tablecloths and generally feels upscale as it is. The prices are up as compared to their current web site, but the menu has not changed, and there were no specials. (It is always sad when a business does not worry about their internet presence.)

Back to basics, we were promptly greeted, seated, and asked if we needed to be out for a show. We replied No rush - a leisurely Friday dinner for two. The service initially was almost frightening in its crispness and we were worried we might be rushed through dinner. We did feel initially hurried, but after ordering a starter and bottle of primitivo things settled down to the proper pace, and was properly attentive without being intrusive.

The wagyu beef carpaccio was nothing short of magnificent. We both agreed we might have ordered four or five of them and forgone anything else it was so good. Worth stopping for that alone!

Mains are ala carte and sides are extra. We had snapper, excellent, and a scotch fillet, medium rare, also excellent. We opted for the roast potatoes, excellent, and mixed leaves - hard to fault.

For sweets, a bittersweet chocolate tart, excellent, and coffees.

If you are not paled by about $100 per person for dinner (including a modest wine) you could not do better than Bottega. Perhaps you would have trouble doing better anyway! As quality goes up, prices rise very quickly, hence I have rated value for money as only good, whilst some might consider it excellent.

The wine list is extensive by the bottle and by the glass. Nobody would be disappointed!

Member Review by melbourne_muncher

In the tradition of cool Melbourne Italian restaurants, Bottega?s d?cor is dark wood, white napery and dim lighting all the way. The intimate, closely spaced tables and white-shirt and black aproned wait staff complete the image, but Bottega is more than just your run of the mill Italian restaurant. The food was delicious modern Italian cuisine divided into categories of ?primi piatti? (entrees), ?pasta e risotto?, ?piatti principali? (mains), ?contorni e insalati? (side dishes) and ?dolci? (desserts).
I settled on a warm tart of shallots, goats cheese and and roasted cherry tomatoes ($15) which were piled on a thin disc of pastry. My partner opted for gnocchi with gorgonzola and walnuts ($21.50) which was the only disappointment of the evening, being an inadequate serve of only seven small potato dumplings in a cheesy walnut sauce.
I was much happier with my pasta dish, a generous plate of pappardelle with braised oxtail sauce ($24.50) which were thick ribbons of pasta in a slow braised, meaty sauce. My partner?s main was similarly delicious, polenta and parmesan crusted veal with a warm kipfler potato salad ($33.50). Although we opted not to have dessert I can assure that the offerings sounded delicious but we finished our meal on a perfect espresso and biscotti.
Bottega is a professional outfit that runs like a well-oiled machine with all of the components working perfectly. Good, flavoursome food, friendly and efficient service, a comprehensive wine list and a pleasant, energetic atmosphere made for a great night out.