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It isn’t hard to find Italian restaurants in Canberra. Nor is it very difficult to find good Italian restaurants in Canberra. But to find a fantastic Italian restaurant, in the centre of town no less, is certainly a rare treat. Holding court in the corner of the Melbourne Building, where any restaurant would have some fierce competition from neighbours in this self-proclaimed food-strip, Mezzalira stands proud. Floor to ceiling glass windows spill cheerful light out onto the street at night, while the smells of cucine rustica waft through an open door. This restaurant is hardly a well-kept secret, but Mezzalira also does a roaring trade in political dinners – expect Nelson or Turnbull to be debriefing here after this year’s Budget.
Political beliefs aside, all come to Mezzalira for one thing and one thing alone; quite possibly Canberra’s best Italian food. Mezzalira has an extensive wine list that is a must-read, although the helpful wait-staff seem to know exactly which wine best complements the chef’s masterpieces. The five-course tasting menu (which is hard to go past – and fabulous value for $80) has wines already matched up for your dining pleasure. Of course, one should be encouraged to try a little bit of everything, although sharing becomes quite difficult when fighting over the last ostriche alla veneziana (fresh rock oysters with pickled cucumber vinaigrette and salmon roe) or fiore di zucchine (zucchini flowers filled with ricotta and spinach). The menu also draws on some regional Italian favourites, such as pizza or risotto with gamey Tuscan flavours. Mezzalira is proud of its heritage, and that definitely shows in their heavy use of imported ingredients, melded with local produce to create the ultimate in cucine rustica.
Russell Buzby, May 2008
FOOD AND BEVERAGE
Mezzalira's wine list is pretty impressive, offering regional, Australian and Italian wines with many available by the glass. Corkage is $8.50 a bottle. Mezzalira is open until 11.00pm.Highly recommended for a casual meal, a business lunch or dinner with colleagues or an intimate dinner for two.
PRIVATE DINING ROOM
For private functions Mezzalira offers a private dining room that seats up to 12.
RESTAURANT CAPACITY
Seats up to 100 inside.
Seating outside available for 80
Personal Statement
"the sort of simple, fresh Italian food that you could eat everyday"
- The Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide 2007
"Canberra’s Best Italian Restaurant"
- The Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide 2005
"Mezzalira is fast becoming an Institution with Canberra diners"
- The Australian Gourmet Traveller
"Mezzalira is re-inventing classic Italian dishes with a twist"
- Vogue Entertaining and Travel
