Massi Restaurant Bringing Italian Piedmont Elegance to Little Collins St
The World Loves Melbourne was invited to a media dinner at Massi owned by Melbourne’s Sicilian son, Chef Joseph Vargetto in Melbourne’s Little Collins Street. The little brother to iconic Kew eatery Mister Bianco, Massi offers morning coffee and cakes, lunch and the popular aperitivo hour. We are fans of Mister Bianco, but we soon discovered Massi has a rich personality of its own. Massi is one of the best Italian restaurants in Melbourne.
Massi struck me as a foodie haven with authenticity and the little touches. For lovers of Italian cuisine this is a rewarding experience; but we know Italian food is about the regions and Massi shines with it's Sicilian brilliance.
How can you tell it's a media dinner? Maybe the cameras are a giveaway...
The chef brought us dishes that were not on our menu; a sign of generous hospitality. We were served iconic Chalmers Wines, known for their authentic Italian style wines.
First course was Fried Caciocavello and lemon (below), a kind of stretched curd cheese, and a feature of Southern Italy. Rustic and warming, we were off to a flying start.
Inspired by travels through northern Italy and named after Joe Vargetto's youngest child, Massimo, Massi seats 50 guests and specializes in the simple and graceful dishes of Piedmont. It also offers a crudo antipasto corner where diners can be entertained with the chefs at work, slicing salami, pistachio mortadella and more.
Second course was a fabulous Organic pork, pistachio and black garlic terrine with pear and grain mustard relish. We've eaten a few terrines later and this was a top notch dish. I may use the word "rustic" much in this article but Massi brings that rustic element that is so desired. The zesty relish was a wonderful accompaniment to the rich terrine.
We were served a range of superb wines.
Keen to offer Melbourne’s CBD an intimate Italian eatery, Vargetto is passionate about Massi and its delicious and simple offering. “My travels to cities Padua, Verona and timeless Bergamo Alto inspired me to offer the food and wine of this elegant region to Melbourne, in a way that patrons can treat it like their little piece of Italy." We would all love to be in Italy righ tnow, but a slice of Italy on Little Collins St goes a long way!
Third course of Cavatelli Sicilian semolina gnocchi octopus stracotto, lemon and basil hit the high notes! Sicilian and octopus strikes a chord; I bet they know their Fishmonger by name!
Says Vargetto, "Our colazione is just this, busy city workers can drop by and grab their espresso and Italian pastry on the go, or grab a stool for ten minutes of enjoyment before the work day begins.” The menu is classically Italian, with a range of cold meats and antipasto to start, such as sweet fried peppers with nduja; bacala mantecato and fried stuffed olives ‘ascolana’. I love the flexibility of Massi, stay a short time or dig in for a session. We were at dinner from 6pm to just after 10.30pm - a highly enjoyable long dinner!
Pasta is naturally a focus with a rich cavatelli with slow cooked pork shoulder ragu and white bean or, black spaghettini with vongole, blue swimmer crab, garlic and chilli. There is also veal coteletta, roast stuffed chicken with cotechino and steak and barramundi to satisfy all palates. In true Italian form, desserts are a highlight, tart of the day, Sicilian orange cake with ricotta cream or marscapone panna cotta may tempt.
Fourth course of Agnolotti del plin, filled with pork and peas, pecorino brodetto, was another rustic dish with elegant finesse. I wondered whether the chef had been pinching dough out the back all afternoon to form our individual Agnolotti del plin. Creamy, rich and sexy cooking.
Dessert was a crowd pleaser of Cannolo alla siciliana.
The decor is attractive with elegant tables, leather booths, a sleek bar and stunning artwork.
There is also a broad selection of international cheeses to finish off the meal or enjoy with the aperitivo. Massi also caters to the city’s many post-work drinkers, with a broad marble bar and exciting range of drinks, such as Prosecco spritz, beers and TAP. Wines.
Massi is a great experience in a city that celebrates Italian food and style. Thanks to Massi and Reymond Communications for a fabulous night. Highly recommended.