Va Tutto

Posted by: Lccle | 4 March 2011, 4.04pm

Went to Va Tutto last Wednesday evening with my partner. Read mixed reviews on the internet (including this site) regarding food quality and pricing; but the most concerning reviews were those that said the service was very poor. Being new to the area I decided to try this restaurant and make my mind up for myself.

I am so glad that I didn't get put off by the negative reviews I read because my experience at Va Tutto was fantastic. Each of our three courses were sensational (can highly recommend the wagyu beef dumplings) and were no more expensive than any other nice restaurant. The wait staff were very friendly and attentive without being overbearing or invasive. The restaurant itself was very nicely set out and very comfortable, with the tables a good size (even for a party of two).

The standard menu was very extensive and the same went for the specials menu. There was a good variety of wines avaialable both by the glass and the bottle.

Only negatives about the restaurant were that the staff kept turning the heat lamps on and off behind us which was a bit distracting considering the open-plan nature of the kitchen and some may consider that the tables are positioned slightly too close together.

Other than that we had a fantastic time and felt welcome to sit and chat for as long as we wanted after we had finished our meals.

I will definitely be returning to Va Tutto!

Food:			Visit: Wed 2 March 2011 Mealtime: dinner
Service:
Atmosphere:

Posted by: MelbFoodie | 9 August 2010, 3.42pm

This was the 2nd visit for me. This place is first class. A busy bistro but the food and service is great. The menu is huge. Shared Gyozas, wagyu beef dumplings for entree. Beautiful. Lamb 2 ways, Chatuebriand and Spag meatballs were our main. Washed down with a Bowen Estate. Beer was not quite cold enough, wine not quite warm enough but otherwise this was a great dining experience. As as good as any in Melbourne for around $80 per head. Well done. I'll be back soon.

Food:			Visit: Sun 8 August 2010 Mealtime: dinner
Service:
Atmosphere:

Posted by: foodsnob | 13 December 2009, 8.28am

I think its good to see how differently people react to situations in a restaurant and just how different reviews can be.
We came here for a late booking on a busy friday night.
The restaurant was noisy but i call that atmosphere. The service was perfect if you ask me, we came in at 9.00 and in no way did we feel pushed, it was very relaxed and professional. No person could ever complain about the selection of food on offer, absolutely everything was covered. My main course was massive and i left it unfinished as i had heard about the pav, which was truly one of Melbournes best deserts. An interesting wine list that could use a bit of work but overall this was a very satisfying night.
Well done Va Tutto.

Food:			Visit: Fri 11 December 2009 Mealtime: dinner
Service:
Atmosphere:

Posted by: DessertLover | 6 December 2009, 7.03pm

Last nite we ate at Va Tutto. On arrival a pushy male waiter told us that he wanted to get our orders very quickly and wanted the main course and dessert ordered in one go, as quickly as possible because he had other people to deal with. It wasn't very polite or encouraging. We are a group of school teachers, about 30 of us, and paid $50 a head, not including drinks so I think they were making enough money out of us to be more polite. If I owned a restaurant and found out that
the customers were spoken to like this, I would do something about the bad service.
The food was very good, but small servings. The entree was very lacking and seemed to be something like a small piece of flat bread with cheese or something on it. There was hardly enough to go around. The main courses tasted good, but were dear. Dessert was great and the pav was sensational. It was very noisy, so if you want peace and quiet or a romantic dinner, don't go there. I don't think I wouldn't go back or take a group there but the pav. was worth revisiting!!

Food:			Visit: Sat 5 December 2009 Mealtime: dinner
Service:
Atmosphere:

Posted by: FoodLoverIAm | 13 May 2009, 5pm

We have dined at Va Tutto on previous occasions and have always had an enjoyable experience. Last night we went for dinner in the bistro after a long absence and were pleasantly surprised that the food has actually got better since our last visit, and it was pretty good before.
I ate from the specials having the stuffed zucchini flowers, and the sardines. The flowers were sensational, something truly special. The crumbed sardines, which on their own have a quite strong fishy taste, when combined with the accompanying apple salad were well balanced and delicious. For dessert was the strangely named peanut butter parfait (it's not a parfait as such, it's closer to peanut butter ice-cream) that was equally delicious.
The only detraction from the evening was that they hosted a large wine appreciation group who were very noisy. The entire bistro also had to listen to their multiple speeches which was quite annoying and distracting.
The food however was sensational. I can see Va Tutto is aiming for that elusive chef's hat this year. I just hope for them they aren't hosting any functions when a reviewer comes knocking.

Food:			Visit: Tue 12 May 2009 Mealtime: dinner
Service:
Atmosphere:

Posted by: M&B | 25 March 2009, 12.08pm

Following a great visit to Heide, we decided on Va Tutto for lunch. It was a great way to cap off a perfect day.
We were discussing restaurant v bistro as we arrived, but were directed into the former without being asked our preference - interesting start, but no big issue. We consented to "garlic bread" when asked, & received a garlic pizza - way too much when you are planning a full blown lunch - but the one piece was nice!
We advised the waiter of our timeline, & shared 2 entrees of duck parfait & calamari. Neither dish was overly large however the presentation, flavour & texture were 1st rate. This was followed by sharing a duck tasting plate with accompaning asian greens - again not large serves but excellent choices. We managed to consume a couple of glasses of Art Series reisling along the way - which perfectly complemented the food.
To finish we had coffee, latte for me (this was the only real disappointment of the day - far too weak), flat white for her & when we requested a little sweet something to go with the coffee we received 3 pieces of baklava in syrup - nice but not very authentic.
And, after all this we finished right on time with a bill of $135.
Va Tutto proved an excellent choice for a perfect day in Heildburg/Ivanhoe/Bullen & I wouldn't hesitate to visit again (they even wrapped the pizza bread to take home for later).

Food:			Visit: Tue 24 March 2009 Mealtime: lunch
Service:
Atmosphere:

Posted by: Marlow | 23 March 2009, 11.22am

Our dining expereince at Va Tutto would have to be up there with the worst dining experiences we have had. We were a party of 4. Within 5 mins of us being seated we were rushed into making our menu choices. When told we weren't ready, the 2 men at our table ordered beers, however myself and my girlfriend were just given the wine list and a glass of water. Our orders were taken and we waited for them to ask if we'd made our wine choice. It was not to be. Finally we had to track a waitress down where our wine order was taken. After having our meal orders taken, the two gentlemen at our table had to leave due to an emergency, however would be back in 20 mins time. We asked the waitress/maitre d' lady if their orders could be put on hold but we would have ours while we waited. Her retort was very nonchalant and she said all our meals were ready to be plated up. We we said that they would just have to hold them but we would have ours. We ordered lasagna. The lasagna arrived and I have to say it was the worst lasagna I have ever tasted. Lukewarm, lacking flavour and gluggy - and for $28 it was a complete and utter rip off. We ate half of the lasagna and gave up. Upon the the gentlemen returning they were served their food immediately. My husband had the spaghetti and meat balls, he said the pasta was over cooked and mushy (probably from being under the lights for 20 mins or so) and the other gentlemans' risotto was barely enough to feed a 5 year old - again what a rip off.

Finally putting our bad "main course experience" behind us, we looked forward to the pavlova, even though $16 for a pav is exorbitant. The waiter then infomred us that they "were out of pavs tonight" and explained that they only make a certain amount which had already been sold and if we wanted the pavs we should have ordered it when we sat down!!! I was dumbfounded and extremely disappointed. It was probably a good thing though, I baulk at paying $16 for some sugar, egg, cream and fruit.
It would have to be the worst dining experience I have ever had, and I can speak for the other 3 people on the table, and a restaurant I would never revisit. The prices are absolutely exorbitant and I don't know how they justify charging $28 for a lasagne that was a 4 out of 10. Thank goodness we didn't order the $100 lobster!

Food:			Visit: Sat 21 March 2009 Mealtime: dinner
Service:
Atmosphere:

Posted by: Felicity_Louise | 22 October 2008, 9.22am

I had no expectations arriving at Va Tutto for a birthday dinner, but I was pleasantly surprised at every stage of the meal.

The staff were attentive, friendly and helpful!

The food was delicious (I had the Duck tasting plate) - and what I sampled from other's plates (Wagyu Beef and others) was excellent. Entrees, Mains and Desserts went down a treat and the whole experience was wonderful.

I would recommend to everyone.

Food:			Visit: Tue 21 October 2008 Mealtime: dinner
Service:
Atmosphere:

Posted by: catriona_777 | 3 January 2008, 6.10pm

We have been dining at this restaurant since it first opened. I cannot recommend it highly enough. We regularly enjoy the great food, service and the friendly service.
If you want an experience where you walk out saying that is the best meal I have ever had, Va Tutto is the place to go!
I highly recommend the stuffed zucchini flowers or any of the salads for entree. The tasting plates are divine for mains and dessert is heaven - try mascapone cheesecake or semi-freddo nougat. You won't be disappointed.

Food:			Visit: Sat 10 November 2007 Mealtime: dinner
Service:
Atmosphere:

Posted by: connoisseur | 26 September 2007, 2.22pm

On first inspection, the warmth of the open kitchen fills the room with life and atmosphere. Flourishing with elegance and class, but this experience was short lived after being seated.

After viewing the menu for less then a minute, the waitress was overly keen to rush our order. The menu was quite different to what the name suggested, as the cuisine was awkward. If I was to say what kind of food was on the menu, I could only say it was Eurasian. No, I don't understand it either.

For the entree, I ordered the sourdough gnocchi with gorgonzola cheese covered with a traditional Italian tomato ragu. For the main I ordered the flathead fillets accompanied by potato salad and garlic butter.

Soaking up the good atmosphere and sharing a round of wine a further twenty-five minutes passed when our meal finally arrived. On first glance, it was hard to know whether I had received tomato soup or gnocchi. The bowl was like the Red Sea filled with small morsels of al dente gnocchi treasures, but it was as tasty as it was oily. The gnocchi treasures were scarce and after the fourth bite, they were all gone leaving the soupy ragu behind.

Still having plenty of room left for the main course it was unfortunate that once again I had to play the waiting game for what was to follow. The flathead arrived delicately well presented. Eagerly awaiting the frail flesh of the flathead fillet, I was immediately disappointed that it was deep fried in bread crumbs and full of bones. The garlic butter was also disappointing as it was butter less than garlic.

So over all I feel that Va Tutto is to wrapped up in the presentation of food while compromising and neglecting the rest of the dining experience. The question I asked myself at the end of the night was what would improve my experience if I were to return? Personally I think it is in the name Va Tutto, meaning everything. That was the problem: Va Tutto is trying to deliver everything while getting the simplest things wrong. Sticking to say a strict Italian cuisine or changing their name and focusing strictly on Asian delicacies would solve all their other problems.

Food:			Visit: Wed 26 September 2007 Mealtime: dinner
Service:
Atmosphere:

Posted by: Unregistered user | 27 February 2006, 9.55am

What a great night out! Went with a largish group on a busy night - but service and food were superb. The menu needs hours to ponder - great selection with imaginative combinations. Lots of interesting and subtle flavours. The wine list did not disappoint either - lots to choose from and not overpriced.

This is clearly an operation that is run by people with a passion for what they are doing. As someone who dines out regularly and has become a little jaded by what is known as modern Australian food, the place came as a refreshing breath of air.

Well done Va Tutto - I'm going back soon!

Food:			Visit: Fri 24 February 2006 Mealtime: dinner
Service:
Atmosphere: