Melbourne 3000
03 9670 7070
www.gourmetculture.com.au
Today it was sunny. The cold chill may be harsh in Melbourne but when the sun comes out, I cannot help but want to sit outside and enjoy the warming vitamin D. The one thing I like about Hardware Lane is eating al fresco. The main thing I don’t like are the touts promoting their restaurants which all seem to have similar, unauthentic pasta with a soft drink as a lunch special.
Settebello stands out for trying not to. Set back without hassling meal-marketers or menu boards, to see the lunch menu here, you have to go inside and even then ask what is on offer.
Pizza sits flat under the bench’s glass cover. There are also a couple of quiches on offer. Wanting something easy, I asked for the pumpkin pizza slice. It came with thinly sliced, roasted pumpkin, soft goats cheese, pinenuts and spinach. The sauce was tomato with a hint of wine. The base was fresh and toasted.
Also on offer are pastries, macarons and decent coffee.
The best aspect about Settebello is its locations – and despite its surroundings, it seems to have good quality food in a relaxed atmosphere.