Recently I was able to snag a seat at one the hip and hot restaurants in Melbourne’s fantastic food scene. Tipo 00 was voted by TimeOut as the 2015 “Best Casual Dining” restaurant in Melbourne. And it is more than deserving of this title. Tipo 00 was probably the best meal I’ve had to date. So let’s break down the experience.
Firstly I didn’t make a reservation because I’m just not that on the ball when it comes to these things. So, I arrived and was told I’d have to wait about 30 minutes for a seat at the bar (an area they have saved for fools like me who don’t have a reservation). No problem, I told the hostess and 30 minutes later I reappeared to find a seat waiting for me.
To start, I had a glass of wine. Honestly, I don’t love wine but I feel the social pressure to order a glass while eating Italian food because for some reason that’s more acceptable than beer. I ordered the house white, it really wasn’t anything special.
A glass of the house while at Melbourne’s Tipo 00.
Next came the entree, everything on the menu had buzzwords and I ordered the one called “mozzarella” unsure exactly of what I was to receive. It mentioned something about pesto and gnocchi frito which I wasn’t familiar with. What came was delightful; it was a large chuck of fresh buffalo mozzarella cheese nestled in between two halves of a puffed crispy bread (what I assume was the gnocchi frito). Visually it reminded me of an oversized pearl in an edible fried shell. Next to it a smear of pistachio pesto with… capers. Now I’ve never actually had a caper before I just know Jamie Oliver uses them. Thus, I was a bit cautious. Turns out, I don’t like capers. The best way I could describe it was like weird pickle, but the rest was so delicious!
Entree at Tipo 00 containing fresh mozzarella and pistachio pesto.
Of course following the entree, would be the main and I ordered the gnocchi with braised duck. I’m a sucker for a) gnocchi and b) duck so it was a given this would be on the dinner plan. I was a bit worried about the portion size as I was starving, and when the dish came out I really didn’t think there was enough food but as I dug deeper into the bowl there seemed to be an endless amount of the fluffy gnocchi and tender duck meat. The sauce it came it was incredibly rich, with earthy and complex flavors. If I had been at home, I might have licked the plate clean I loved the taste so much.
Gnocchi and braised duck breast with shaved Parmesan in porchini mushroom sauce.
And to finish off such a perfect night: dessert. Now, I ordered the Tipomisu which lead me to believe I would not be receiving the traditional mascarpone and lady finger layered treat I love so dearly. My stipulation was correct, as I instead received an abstract version of the beloved dessert. It arrived and my served proceeded to pour a warm chocolate, caramel and espresso sauce over a chocolate disk. Surrounding was puffs of mascarpone pipped out perfectly. It was elegant, and still had all the flavors of a tiramisu leaving more than satisfied. Unfortunately, dark chocolate desserts on black plates don’t photograph too well in a dimly lit Italian restaurant.
Re-envisioning of the traditional tiramisu dessert from Tipo 00
And that was my meal, I stumbled home stuffed to the brim of perfect Italian goodness and a decent glass of wine. I’m so thankful I had the opportunity to eat at this restaurant, and I can’t recommend Tipo 00 enough if you’re in Melbourne, it’ll be an unforgettable meal and one that will have you satisfied!