Member Review by melbourne_muncher

In the Flinders Lane basement space that once housed Langton’s, Cecconi’s has found a new home. The minimalist feel of Langton’s has been replaced by warm, decadent decor in bronze and coffee hues that lacks the tizzy formality that Cecconi’s at Crown displayed.
The minute you are seated you realise that this is a special occasion restaurant with serious attention to detail and exceptional service. Bread, olives and olive oil are served in the blink of an eye and glasses are filled with water. This leaves you to ruminate over the long wine list and menu without a rumbling tummy.
The food at Cecconi’s is modern Italian, cleverly utilising traditional and familiar Italian flavours such as prosciutto and parmigiano in innovative ways. For example, to start one might select the buffalo mozzarella wrapped in prosciutto with agro dolce sauce ($20) or perhaps the special of natural oysters served with ocean trout. The carb lovers amongst us might choose the excellent Bacala tortellini served with a sauce of lemon oil and polenta ($27) which were served cooked perfectly al dente. Mains include a roasted veal cutlet served pleasingly pink with mashed potato, porcini mushrooms and broad bean pesto ($39) or perhaps a pork chop stuffed with wild figs and pine nuts served with a cabbage involtino ($39). Dessert lovers should not go past the chocolate pudding special if it is offered, an oozing warm chocolate pudding served with chocolate ice cream and muscatel grapes- sinful!
All in all, Cecconi’s would have to be one of the best fine dining restaurants on offer in Melbourne. The service is warm and efficient but more than that, it makes the diner feel special in a way that the perfunctory service of most restaurants today does not. The food is glorious, well executed and unfussy although I must admit a particular bias towards good Italian food that probably makes me love this place all the more.

Member Review by Henry

On a pleasant Melbourne summer evening, there could be no better place to dine then at Cecconi's, with the Yarra River in full sight and splendid views into the city. The atmosphere is relaxed and not to busy but there are a few celebrities about as the Australian Tennis Open is only days away and seated on the table beside me is Martina Hingis and later on, Lindsay Davenport. Cecconi's have obviously established a good reputation over the years with visiting celebrities.

To the restaurant experience; it has a good atmosphere, comfortable seating pleasant views and the service is good with the table staff giving us a good description of the days specials and tending to our needs. There were fresh tasty olives on the table and plenty of fresh bread with olive oil and balsamic vinegar. We chose a shiraz of the very good wine list and I opted for the asparagus and poached egg for an entree followed by the king george whiting which was one of the specials of the day. My dining partner went for the minestrone soup followed by a rather largish steak. The meals were all very tasty, well presented and prepared, and both of us commented on how good they were. The prices are probably at the top end of most restaurants but you are paying for that terrific location and the celebrity status and reputation. Make sure you get a table with views out to the Yarra and are able to watch the giant burning flames when they ignite the towers along the river.

All in all a good restaurant, wonderful food and service, and a great place to take someone special or to entertain some clients. One certainly worthy of a second visit in the future.