February 2025 update: Mamma mia! Can-a-you believe it? A mere 18 months since launching, the legends behind Johnny, Vince and Sam's are already moving up in the world. Literally! The popular restaurant has just added a cocktail bar (and private dining room) upstairs, affectionately referred to as the 'good room' of Nonna's house. Late-night crowds can ascend to indulge in drinks like the olive oil-spiked Nonno’s Garden Martini and the Gin Basil Smash. Of course, the swish new level wouldn't evoke true Italiano hospitality without plenty of eats, so you can "mangia, mangia!" to your heart's content on nostalgic classics like traditional lasagne and the OG dessert Vienetta. There's even an Italian smash burger on offer. The new space launches on February 28. Andiamo!
If you’re a fan of comedy trio Sooshi Mango and their ‘ethnic dad’ videos, then their immersive eatery in Carlton will transport you straight into their world in living, breathing colour.
Replacing the former café St Charly that previously occupied the site, the traditional Italian restaurant is named after – you guessed it – the three iconic characters created by Australian-Italian brothers Joe and Carlo Salanitri and their best friend Andrew Manfre.
Their bustling restaurant draws on the lovably daggy charm of traditional nonno and nonna-style deco (think floral carpets, crystal cabinets and art prints depicting Jesus and the Last Supper) and unpretentious old-school Italian recipes. Anticipate Neapolitan-inspired light crust pizzas with names such as You Like’A My Salami or Capricciosa From’A My Town, plus a generous selection of crowd-pleasers like spaghetti and meatballs, arancini, sugo-drenched gnocchi and, of course, the classic parmesan-crusted cotolette.
It’s not every day a comedian tries their hand at a restaurant or bar enterprise, but it’s not unheard of either. Bill Murray and his brothers opened a Caddyshack-themed bar outside Chicago in 2018, and in 2021 Dave Chappelle announced plans to convert a former fire station into a restaurant and comedy club.
It helps that the kitchen talent’s hardly small fry, with the menu and concept co-developed by 400 Gradi’s Italian chef Johnny Di Francesco, known for winning the title of Australia’s Best Pizza, and Dani Zeini of Royal Stacks fame. For drinks, you’ll be tempted with an impressive wine selection and a range of Spritzes.
Though the team is willing to dole out takeaway in Tupperware containers, trust us when we say you’ll want to eat in – the cosy, sentimental interiors will make you feel like you’ve been invited over to a real nonna’s house for tea.
Curious enough to pop in and taste what's cooking? No need to make a booking. The restaurant currently accepts walk-ins only.