Reviews by JamesD

This review is for Madonna's Pizzeria, Port Melbourne VIC

verified email - 13 Feb 2009

We drive past this place nearly every day so we thought we'll stop for dinner on the way home.

Our girl loves lasagna and our boy is a pizza fan so we put these guys to the test.
They came out trumps!!

I enjoy Italian food but it needs to be better then what I can cook so be worth the trouble and their pasta's are excellent.

We have been many times now and continue to order the pasta's for 2 serve.
3 different pasta's of your choice.

Their creamy gnocci is plump and soft and very tastey. Their tomato sauce is one the sweet side however acceptable.
The pizza's get the thumbs up from our boy and the lasagna with chips for our girl is always polished off.

Their minestrone is one of the best - fresh chunky vegetables in a soup with little bits of pasta - the wife loves it so much.

The kids then enjoy traditional gelato while I sit and watch satisfied and full. Sometimes difficult to move with a full belly of lovely pasta.

They have 4 shops around Melbourne and definitely recommended.

Approximate cost: $15

This review is for L'uccellino, Yarraville VIC

verified email - 13 Feb 2009

We have been looking for a great pizza cafe for some time and my sister-in-law recommended this little place in Yarraville.

I am a fussy pizza eater, being Italian, and have only experienced a handful of great pizza's other then my mom's.

White linen cloth tables, rustic Italian chairs and tables and a beautiful old squeeky door opens up to this little pizza cafe.

The smell is wonderful, the staff are cheerful and the menu is plentiful.

My kids vote this place the best pizza's and they are also very critical.

They serve all Italian drinks including fruit nectars in little glass bottles and wines from small provinces of Italy. No wine glasses here, big glasses usually used for lattes etc.

Now the pizza's.....ahhhhhhhhhh!!

The pizza base is thin and crunchy and you have a choice of 18 variations. The thin base doesn't make you feel bloated like other bases.

I believe a real pizza shop should include a capricciosa on the menu and theirs is simply the best. As a pizza shop, if you can't get the capricciosa right then there's something wrong.

The wife loves the ones with rocket on top - very nice and I thought my mums potato pizza was good - wow they make an extraordinary white one with caramelized onion, rosemary and fior di latte cheese. I took the folks and yes mum tried the potato and was very impressed that she ordered 2 ....took the other home and I ate it later.

Most of the pizzas are topped with fior di latte cheese which is is like a boccochini but softer and smoother.

The kids get their own menu and the desserts are sensational.

The peach and white chocolate pizza is magnificent and the kids make sure they have room for the pizza with 3 different chocolates.
The wife usually goes for the mixed berries and white choc.

Take-away also available.
They do entree's, salads and foccacias, but give me pizza.

This place pumps so best you reserve a table and get out there.

Approximate cost: $16

This review is for Le Chien Cafe, Seddon VIC

verified email - 12 Feb 2009

A little piece of magic in Seddon.

Soul food plus great coffee.
They use Supreme Coffee and make it perfect every time.

My wife and I frequent this place because its a little hide-away and so close to the city.

I love their Pide and my wife loves the tomato with lots of avocado on toasted ciabatta.

Cheap and cheerful and always a great experience.

Approximate cost: $12

This review is for Di Bella Warehouse, North Melbourne VIC

verified email - 12 Feb 2009

WOW....Great experience!!
The coffee is obviously freshly roasted as they roast and sell beans on site.
Small kitchen pumping out yummy breakfasts and focaccia's.
Lovely cakes and snacks along with fresh bread.

The barista's are the best around. Every time I've been the coffee is perfect.
I have watched them and if the coffee is not 100% they will through it out and do again.

They also provide coffee training and sell everything to do with coffee.

My new favourite place.

Approximate cost: $15