The site now occupied by Trunk has had many diverse uses, from its initial purpose as a synagogue to its more recent former identity as Italian restaurant, Sillitto. An aura of history still hangs about the slickly renovated space, visible in the almost barn-like high ceilings and gated garden surrounds. Modern contrast comes in the form of edgy hand-drawn graffiti-style art and the shiny appeal of mirrored panels and high-gloss tables.
The menu showcases classic pan-Italian cuisine with a subtle twist. Since early 2009, sous chef Andrew Hunt became head chef, continuing to deliver the magnificent mix of the traditional and the offbeat, as illustrated by dishes such as the spaghettini with smoked eel, garlic, chilli and pangrattato. Small plates are available for grazing, such as crostini with agro dolce anchovies; or panzanella salad with wild rocket and parmigiano reggiano.
Chocoholics had best steer clear of the dessert menu for fear of a serve of chocolate Florentine wafer with honey semifreddo tramezzino luring them off the wagon. A sweet compromise could be a tooth-aching cocktail from the bar, such as an espresso martini (chilled coffee, vodka, Kahlua and star anise), or the equally tempting Velvet Sip, a vanilla meringue-style concoction of vodka finished with lavender mist.
Maya Linden
Open
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Breakfast
Lunch
O
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O
Dinner
O
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Late
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Mon-Fri 12pm-12am Sat & Sun 3pm-12am
European, Italian and Pizza
Entree: $14-$22
Mains: $14-$33
Payment accepted: MasterCard, Visa, Diners Club, American Express and EFTPOS
Licensed with bar. Wine is available by the glass.
This venue accepts bookings. It is advisable to make a reservation ahead of time. Group bookings are supported.
Seats 50
Outside dining area
Wheelchair access
and wheelchair-accessible toilets
All reviews and ratings are the expressed opinions of our users, and in no way reflects the opinions of yourRestaurants, its staff and its affiliates.
Posted by:
Janeausten
|
18 July 2011, 1.59pm
Blah blah blah
Okay food, okay service and okay atmosphere. I quite like the fact it's not crowded and we could hear each other's conversation.
Food:
Visit: Thu 23 June 2011
Mealtime: lunch
Service:
Atmosphere:
Posted by:
Catcherting
|
6 April 2011, 1.07pm
Great food will go back
Really enjoyable meal. quality was of a high standard. Although service was pretty poor. You feel like restaurants like this shouldn't get backpackers as wait staff.
Food:
Visit: Wed 6 April 2011
Service:
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Posted by:
gb00
|
18 November 2009, 5.39am
Doesn't live up to the hype
Firstly, the interior is quite cavernous and with a large crowd inside it (mostly after-work drinkers), it was loud, tinny and had more of boozy atmosphere. As with the previous reviewer, the entrees were all tasty. I had a fish for my main which was bland and poorly presented - almost as if someone had slopped beans onto the plate and then placed a bit of fish on top. Most others at the table had pizzas which we all agreed were quite dry and fairly ordinary-tasting. The dessert menu was so unappetising most decided to skip it, besides which it was a very winter-oriented selection considering the warmer weather. I chose the chocolate tart which was the best of the lot and in fact turned out to be one of the nicest desserts I've ever had. Service was below average as the waitress kept reaching over us as she served and removed our dishes, frequently bumping into us and never once apologising or excusing herself. Overall, a very disappointing night-out. The food, the service, the ambience - it didn't feel special to come here at all.
Trunk loses much of its ambience when it's chock-full of noisy drinkers, but I'd imagine that it would be quite nice to come here (for a drink anyway) when it's quieter.
Food:
Visit: Wed 18 November 2009
Mealtime: dinner
Service:
Atmosphere:
Posted by:
thundermistress
|
11 November 2009, 8.56pm
Waiting....
Went for dinner with friends, food wasn't too bad although we all agreed we've had better pizza. Entrees were pretty good though.
However, service was appaulling slow and the food took forever to come out! What could've been a nicely paced 1-1.5 hour dinner was dragged out to almost 3 hours! It took us half an hour to try to get someone's attention for the bill before my friend went up to the bar counter and asked for it.
I liked the interior of the place but a bit too dark.
Food:
Visit: Wed 11 November 2009
Mealtime: dinner
Service:
Atmosphere:
Posted by:
foxychic
|
8 September 2009, 12.02pm
Waitress
We were celebrating a birthday and booked two tables for 15 people. The bar staff at trunk are friendly and nice.
Unfortunately our waitress was not nice and affected our whole night. We were asked not to use another tables seats even though the restaurant part was empty at 5.30pm.
I had my glass slammed in front of my face. I got told by the waitress maybe i should do her job when i remarked i was cold to my friend. My friend was brought the wrong drink which was taken away before it was finished. I was told to sit down twice when i went to the bar to ask for the drinks menu. Another wrong drink was brought to us and there was an argument because she insisted she was correct. Eventually the correct drink was brought over. I needed to ask for an ice bucket for our white wine. It was left in front of someones face while dining so we put it on the floor and we were told she could trip on that. Our empty plates were left on the crowded table for quite a while.
We decided we would not eat here again because of this waitress' service although Trunk is a good place for an afterwork drink. The outdoor beer garden is lovely with heaters.
Food:
Visit: Fri 4 September 2009
Mealtime: dinner
Service:
Atmosphere:
Posted by:
J5
|
24 January 2009, 12.30am
What happened Guys??
The evening began well with the host greeting and seating us at the bar while we waited for our table to be set.
Table was set, we sat down and our order was taken, so far so good. 10 minutes later the entree comes out but unfortunately lands on the table next to us. The entree quickly sneaks in front us accompanied with a polite apology. Entree goes down like a treat and plates cleared... Yum!
It would have been 45 minutes later until we asked the waiter to check on our mains which was a med-rare sirloin and a plate of penne.
Finally our mains arrive and to our disappointment the meals were cold and not hot enough to even slightly melt the thinly sliced pecorino covering the sirloin. I don't think pecorino was part of the ingredient description but it was. Such a shame since the cut of bovine was so good and to think the days of preparation it must have gone through before even going on the griller.
We did complain and it was handled with satisfaction.
Overall we will come again and hopefully we will experience the positive reputation we constantly hear from our peers.
Food:
Visit: Fri 23 January 2009
Mealtime: dinner
Service:
Atmosphere:
Posted by:
linguini.
|
24 December 2008, 12.10am
Nightclub or restaurant?
I would personally call this restaurant more modern australian then italian. I had a table of three with my folks and felt as if we just wanted to get this over and done with. As we were seated the waiter gave us menus and started yelling out that they had ran out of Saltimbocca alla Romana. As I heard this was a hit I was disappointed - although they had flathead to offer. I really didn't like the atmosphere. My intentions were to take my folks out for a nice relaxing meal in the city. Although the loud music and tables being so close together got to me. The decor was very vintage modern retro which was great. As we recived our food this is when I was glad I came to Trunk. I had ordered the barbecued Yarra Valley quail. It was a very small serving although was the perfect meal. I tried my mother's Saffron gnocchi which was to die for. So soft it melts in your mouth. All in all great food although bad atmosphere. It would suck to be claustrophobic.
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Visit: Tue 23 December 2008
Mealtime: dinner
Service:
Atmosphere:
Posted by:
Mirri1
|
17 May 2008, 4.18pm
Basil martinis & satriale's pizza
I'm certainly not a slave to the latest reviews by any means, so was a little bit apprehensive going to eat at Trunk, but I'm glad I made the decision because my girlfriends and I had a great night! They do a fantastic basil martini, very dangerous for a rowdy bunch of girls! So after a few of these we decided to to munch on some yummy arancini balls and some of the best pizzas I've had in a long time. The satriale pizza, (hello Soprano fans) roast pork, mustard fruits and rocket was so good we went for a second, not to mention they do a classic pomodoro! I'm planning my next night for the dining room!
Food:
Visit: Fri 16 May 2008
Mealtime: dinner
Service:
Atmosphere:
Posted by:
adam D
|
26 March 2008, 10.41pm
Going down to Trunktown
There is something about having a drink underneath a big old tree in the middle of the city that is special, and that is the way I started my evening at Trunk. When we moved inside the place was humming and it a fantastic room to be in. I think the waiter told us that it used to be a synagogue back in 1860. It felt very New York to me. We shared a couple of starters which were all very good. For main I had the bistecca with smoked tomatoes, perfectly cooked and probably the best tomatoes in Melbourne. My partner had the cod which she told me didn't need any lemon because the dish was so well balanced. We had a couple of interesting wines by the glass that the waiter chose for us. It is pretty noisy but the atmosphere is energetic and very comfortable. We finished with a citrus carpaccio and a couple of avernas. This place is one of my new favorites.
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