I love Italian food. It is my absolute favourite cuisine! So it is very surprising that I havenโt tried Mezzalira until earlier this year. We had a nice birthday lunch here mid-week so it wasnโt too busy. Think white tablecloths in a nice bistro-style setting, waitstaff in white shirts and white aprons, all right in the heart of the CBD. We have a window seat, and itโs almost like a one-way window where we can see out but itโs quite dim looking in. Our waiter tells us the restaurant used to be a bank, and the bank vault is still there (currently used as a wine cellar and storage room).
I try the rosemary and sea salt focaccia with whipped ricotta and chestnut honey ($17) to start. The focaccia on its own is pretty food and moreish. I feel like the ricotta and honey are unnecessary!.
For the mains, we try the tortellini di zucca (pumpkin tortellini!) with buffalo milk ricotta, pumpkin, leek and burnt sage butter, and aged Reggiano ($39). Note there are only 6 pieces of this delectable tortellini. But it is by far, the best that Canberra has to offer. It is light yet fragrant and rich with flavour, and perfectly al dente with just the perfect thickness of pasta dough. Highly recommend. Simple and executed fabulously.
Itโs birthday week, so we order the tagliatelle with lobster, tomato, pinot grigio and thyme ($43) too. This is a far zestier dish in contrast to the sweet pumpkin. Unfortunately, as we started with the pumpkin, this dish just did not compare but I do enjoy the chewy resistance of the (housemade?) tagliatelle.
I love that our waiter asks if we are sharing dishes (yes we are), and if we prefer having each dish plated up individually rather than sharing one big plate. We opt for individual dishes so that meant 3 pieces of tortellini each and evenly halved tagliatelle. Service is professional, wait staff know what theyโre talking about and are unobtrusive. They even let us peek into the vault.
Tiramisu with a birthday candle in it comes out for dessert. This is lovely, and Iโm not surprised since I enjoy sister restaurant Italian & Sonsโ tiramisu as well. Overall, a wonderful lunch at an oldie but a goodie. Lovely Italian food, great service, unpretentious and relaxed atmosphere. I will definitely go back for more tortellini and more items on the menu. Maybe Iโll end with tortellini next time!
See reel of the experience below:
Mezzalira
55 London Cct, Canberra ACT
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