Grossi Florentino-The Grill, Melbourne CBD by Ruby Grapefruit

This restaurant is definitely a class (or two) above the usual ‘cheap and cheerful’ places we go to for our work lunches. The customers included businessmen and ladies doing lunch (think immaculate hairdos, wearing sunglasses indoors, and possibly some nip/tuck work), and our group decked out in casual Friday gear.



We booked at The Grill because Big Fil had heard about the $35 lunch special so we thought we would try it out. The lunch special included 2 courses (from a limited selection of dishes), a glass of wine and coffee. On arrival we were served complimentary olives, bread, grissini and olive oil – a nice start to our lunch!



I was impressed by my entrée which was spaghetti with squid. It was a generous serve and the squid was very tender.



Snooze also enjoyed her farro and bean soup which was a hearty dish with a decent amount of well cooked beans (not at all soggy).



For our main course Snooze and I both chose the chicken cacciatore – tender pieces of chicken served with a rich sauce and polenta. Snooze was particularly impressed by the polenta which was smooth and buttery and perfect for sopping up the lovely rich sauce.



Big Fil rated his grilled fish with Russian salad as good rather than great. The fish was delicately flavoured, well cooked with tender but firm white flesh. It was nicely complemented by the mayonnaise in the slightly creamy Russian salad.



Both Kit Kat and Chewy were very happy with their main course - Sirloin minute steak (perfectly cooked) and scalloped potatoes.



For dessert Big Fil and Chewy had the pannacotta which they both thought was okay but not really a standout. In fact, Chewy had recently had a better one at William Angliss restaurant – a case of the apprentices outdoing the professionals.



Kit Kat’s sticky date pudding was perfectly balanced by the honeycomb or butterscotch ice cream it was served with. She loved the dish so much that she was tempted to lick her plate clean!



Overall
The service was excellent and the food was generally very good. It was great value and an opportunity to try a restaurant not normally within our lunchtime budget. I’m not sure how much longer the lunch special will be offered so I suggest you get there soon to take advantage of it.

Verdict
Food - 7.5
Ambience – 7
Service – 8
Price – 7

Address
Ground floor, 80 Bourke Street
Melbourne VIC 3000
Tel: 03 9662 1811