From Aberfeldie to Black Rock and everywhere in between, there are new pasta deals running from noon to night this winter. Plus, a pasta pop-up by an ex-Embla chef arrives in the inner north.
We’ve nearly conquered winter, Melbourne. But, as always, that chill is sticking around. If you have itchy feet and need to get out and about – without blowing the budget – our latest, carb-dedicated edition of Specials Board is a good companion to have. We’ve scoured the city for 12 top pasta specials, from a bayside bistro with a weekly pasta club to $20 bowls at wine bars across town.
$20 pasta night, Gloria’s, Camberwell
Pumpkin and sage agnolotti with brown butter. Beef and parmesan-filled cappelletti with sugo. Frilly creste di gallo with ragu. This is what hump-day dinner can look like at Camberwell wine bar Gloria’s, where each of the hearty bowls are going for $20.
420 Burke Road, Camberwell, glorias.com.au
$15 tortellini in brodo, Marameo, CBD
End your week with a peak winter pasta dish – tortellini bobbing in a chicken broth that will warm you from the inside out – at city pasta palace Marameo. From noon to 3pm every Friday, takeaway containers brimming with brodo are available for just $15, either to-go or to dine in. But hurry: the deal ends this month.
6 Russell Place, Melbourne, marameo.com.au
$25 pasta social club, Nostra pop-up at Onlys, Northcote
Roving Italian diner Nostra – by former Embla chef Dane Hewson – has been gaining traction with pop-ups all over the state. Last week, it launched an eight-week residency at Northcote cafe Onlys. To lure locals on Thursday nights, handmade pastas are $25; mini martinis and glasses of wine are $10.
58a Victoria Road, Northcote, nostrakitchen.com.au
$20 pasta night, Bar Brillo, Aberfeldie
In the sleepy backstreets of Aberfeldie, in Melbourne’s north-west, you’ll find this espresso bar turned wine bar. Wednesday is the night to visit for a bargain, when Bar Brillo runs a pasta special that changes every week. A past winner? Rigatoni alla norma, all about that rich eggplant-studded sugo.
25 Tilba Street, Aberfeldie, instagram.com/bar.brillo
$45 pasta club, Winston’s, Black Rock
From steak Tuesdays to no-corkage Wednesdays, buzzy bayside bistro Winston’s has weekly specials for all tastes. On Thursday nights, carb lovers are encouraged to join the pasta club. Ideal for date night, there’s a $45-a-head set menu that centres on a slow-cooked blonde bolognese, but also includes olives, sourdough, leaves and a dessert to share.
Shop 1, 300-302 Beach Road, Black Rock, winstonsmelbourne.com
$30 two-course lunch set, Grill Americano, CBD
Serial restaurateur Chris Lucas is celebrating 30 years in the hospitality business with $30 lunches at several of his venues until September 4. At Grill Americano, that means rigatoni with wagyu beef and porcini ragu, followed by a small serving of the signature tiramisu, daily from noon to 3pm.
112 Flinders Lane, Melbourne, grillamericano.com
$25 pasta and wine, Bar Taralli, North Melbourne
While head chef Salvatore Giorgio has stepped away from Bar Taralli, there’s still plenty to get around at the recently opened southern Italian restaurant. Go for lunch Wednesday to Sunday to find a select plate of pasta with a glass of wine for only $25.
12 Errol Street, North Melbourne, bartaralli.com.au
$39.99 endless pasta and pizza party, Di Stasio, Carlton
If Di Stasio Carlton is the closest you’ll get to a real Italian piazza this winter, why not go all out at one of its all-you-can-eat pasta and pizza parties, running on Wednesday and Thursday nights until the end of the month. It’s $39.99, with $6 beers and $11 spritzes and wines.
224 Faraday Street, Carlton, distasio.com.au/carlton
$20 pasta night, Cam’s Kiosk, Abbotsford
One of Melbourne’s most popular pasta nights happens on Mondays at Abbotsford Convent restaurant Cam’s Kiosk. The chefs come up with a new pasta dish each week, but it is always $20. You could find anything from rigatoni all’amatriciana to an artichoke-y take on cacio e pepe.
1 St Heliers Street, Abbotsford, camskiosk.com.au
$35 pasta and wine, Toni, Moonee Ponds
There’s new Italian energy in Moonee Ponds, and it’s thanks to Toni. Pastas such as cacio e pepe rigatoni and casarecce with pork ragu are served seven nights a week, but you can get your fix for less at lunchtime, Friday to Sunday, when $35 buys a pasta and a glass of wine.
21-31 Hall Street, Moonee Ponds, tonimelbourne.com.au
$20 pasta night, Wally’s, Albert Park
It didn’t take long for Tuesday pasta nights to become a weekly fixture at neighbourhood wine bar Wally’s. Albert Park locals love being able to swan in for a $20 bowl of house-made pasta, which changes regularly. Cavatelli with porcini, ricotta and cavolo nero have previously been spotted.
67 Cardigan Place, Albert Park, wallysalbertpark.com.au
$28 express pasta lunch, Bottega, CBD
Fancy a power lunch in the city, but need to be back at the office promptly? Bottega’s express pasta special is for you. Offered Tuesday to Friday, it includes a rotating selection of handmade pastas – maybe ricotta gnocchi or cappelletti – for $28.
74 Bourke Street, Melbourne, bottega.com.au
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