Isolano Trattoria in Victoria

"Dinner degustation @IsolanoTrattoria for regional Italian cuisine from the islands of Sardinia and Sicily. There is no menu, it changes weekly. Don't bother coming without a booking, this isn't a large fancy restaurant but more of a homely atmosphere. You'll be warmly welcomed by all of the staff including the chef and the warmth and friendly atmosphere doesnt stop there. There were 3 groups on the night in the cosy dining area, pull up a seat, kick back and relax and wait for the food to roll out, and roll out it does. No one goes hungry when the meal finishes. Antipasti Chicken stock, quail and veal meatballs. For the wintery climes a lovely soup with chicken based stock is a lovely soothing flavour. The soup is simple and subtle to warm into the meal. I like the soft tender meatballs, some have a hit of fennel providing a lovely aniseed flavour. A few bits of pasta for extra texture. Charcuterie board with house made cured meats - Sicilian olives, fresh corn, roasted peppers, along with bread. The corn is so juicy bursting with freshness. The Sicilian olives are light and not salty, the cured meats are lovely, great meaty intense flavour and then there is the warmed roasted red capsicum, onion and capers which are yum. Love the bread. Crumbled Fennel, Rice and Potato Patties. I love the crumbed fennel, anything fried is yum with a light crunchy crumb encasing a soft piece of fennel. I also love the potato and rice pattie, nicely salted, warming. Yum. Braised cabbage with pork and fennel sausage. Nice and tender with soft slices of potato for extra body, I love the fennel and peppery flavour of the bits of sausage which add that slight salty kick to partner the cabbage. Braised beans with rapini (a broccoli rabe) Simple dish of hearty plump beans with a lovely mix of greens for additional flavour. Wild barramundi with asparagus and a serve of Caesar salad. The barramundi is cooked perfectly, holding firm but flaking, soft and unctuous, love the crispy skin and the slight squueze of lemon and olive oil. The Caesar salad is delicious, love the crispy bread, bacon, dressing and greens. Entree Creamed silverbeet, deboned quail, pork belly. The quail is perfectly cooked and seasoned and is really delicious. I also thoroughly enjoyed the creamed silverbeet, a vegetable with not much flavour but transformed in this dish and you just keep coming back for more. Then there's the intense salty kick of pork flavour amped up in the pork belly. I really enjoyed this assortment of ingredients which was the best of the night. Love the sauce. Seafood pasta with mussels, prawns, blue swimmer prawn, calamari, crab stock. What hits you immediately from the first spoonful is the intensity of the crab stock. Strong in flavour, a slightly spicy note, this goes down a treat with the tender pasta and the array of delicious perfectly cooked tender seafood. Excellent dish. Mains Veal scallopini, buk choy, potatoes, and jus. The veal is excellent, tender, sucking up the wine it was cooked in, the jus is excellent and each piece goes down a treat. I like the soft fluffy potatoes. Yum. Dessert Choice of sorbets or Bombe Alaska, I went with the latter. Italian meringue, pannetone, chocolate on the bottom, cassata, pistachio ice cream. A rather generous slice but it eats well and was polished off. Lovely layers of flavours, this was a lovely finish to an excellent meal. But then there's also coffee to finish. Appreciate the lovely warm friendly service. It feels like being in someone's home. The meal isn't like that of a fancy restaurant, no fancy tablecloths and suited staff but there's craft in each meal and that is evident in the entrees and main dishes in particular where the flavours are at their strongest. Regional homely food, comforting, and delicious. Only complaint is the charge on a jug of still water. They also run @giocogelato in the warmer months if you're in the mood for gelato."

"This place is a gem! The food is absolutely beautiful, using fresh ingredients. I felt like I was in Italy. Overall, dining at this restaurant was a delight from start to finish. The delicious food, impeccable service, and charming ambience made for a memorable experience. Hands down to one of the best restaurants in town!!!"

"This is a gem of a restaurant, the staff, the food, the wine, the venue and atmosphere, all Fabulous! One of my favourite experiences in Melbourne so far."

"Great family run restaurant. Personal services. Chatted with owners when they came out. Chef/owner had a seat with us between courses. A little hidden gem!"

"What an amazing culinary journey we experienced last night. Each course was packed with flavours of true authentic Italian food. A mix of Sicilian and Sardinian food, we loved everything. The Sicilian wine was perfectly paired with what we ate, standout was the home salami, capretto with fresh pasta and the fagiolini with cime di rape. Can’t wait to come back."

"Best restaurant experience of my life. The food is sensational. The service extremely perfect. Atmosphere from another world. Thank you Sergio and staff you deserve all the very best for the future. We will definitely see you again. Thank you for a phenomenal experience."

"If I could give 10 stars I would. The food was the best traditional Italian food I've eaten in years. Made with love. Delicious. And the service. Fantastic. I'll be back."

"Hi there Sergio, Veronica and Lousia, came pre-surgery and had the BEST MEAL EVER!!!!! Myself and 2 friends, Ines and Sue arrived around 7.00pm and left at 2.00am after a terrific meal and lots and lots of beverages. !!! Will definately be back."