What's better than a pasta and vino dinner? A pasta and vino dinner that won't break the bank, of course. So let's thank the spaghetti gods in the sky that in the midst of this cozzie-livs crisis, culinary maestro Adrian Richardson (La Luna Bistro) is hosting a winter pop-up restaurant where you can get dishes of slurp-worthy pasta squarely below the $22 mark, cocktails starting at just $12 and glasses of wine that won't cost you more than a tenner a pop.
Pasta Bambino has sprung up at Adrian's Bouvier Bar on the Brunswick East end of Lygon Street, and it's set to be your go-to cosy destination this winter for affordable northside date nights, get-togethers with friends and everything in between.
“Some of my fondest food memories are helping my Italian grandparents in the kitchen and making pasta from scratch. That’s how I first got my feeling for food,” says Richardson.
These memories are the inspiration behind Pasta Bambino's simple but humble rotating menu, which is comprised of beloved dishes his Nonna taught him to cook as a child. From traditional favorites like casarecce bolognese to indulgent delights like fresh ricotta gnocchi with pesto, there's something to suit every craving – and true to Richardson's ethos, each sings with locally sourced ingredients and ethically procured meats.
You'll also discover an enticing array of appetisers you can get stuck into, such as crispy fried mozzarella and stuffed arancini, perfect for pairing with a Spritz or glass of something red and delightful.
Adrian sums it up best: "We're going back to basics with good food at an honest price—and what's more comforting than a bowl of pasta at this time of year?"
Maybe a Melbourne winter isn't so bad after all!