Cafe Di Stasio

Delicious food! Excellent service. Linguine with crab was the best I’ve ever had.

Went with clients for lunch.
Big disapointment.
Rude and condescending wait staff constantly pushing bar drinks.
Marginal Italian food at rather expensive price.

Been to this place multiple times and not disappointed
They have the regular menu plus specials
Good sized entrees
And mains a fair size
Plus dessert you leaves v full
Pasta is just great
Wines all spot on
Expensive but worth it
Don’t hesitate

Recently I had the pleasure of dining at Café Di Stasio as my learned friend and counsel resurfaced and made himself available for a dining experience. He owed me a proper dinner as the result of me picking up the tab when we recently visited PM24 (which I was not able to write about because I became too intoxicated and didn’t clearly remember the wonderment provided in the last hour) and he suggested Café Di Stasio as we were meeting at The George Basement to catch up early in the evening.
The restaurant was happy to take an ad-​hoc booking on this Friday night and they were seemingly pleased to accommodate us at 9:30 PM. When I opened the front door, which has bronze handles in the shape of the owners hands, Ronnie Di Stasio, which are both welcoming and ominous at the same time, the sheer volume of noise from the restaurant nearly pushed me back onto Fitzroy Street. Once I released the cold bronze however the welcoming gaze from the front of house beckoned us in. Being both hungry and thirsty, we were not thwarted and were led through the vortex of clambering guests into the back corner. Above us was a large Bill Henson photograph called Untitled #125, according to my later browsing of the Roslyn Oxley 9 gallery online. You may recall (as I do as I lived in Sydney at the time) that in May 2008, during the opening night of Bill Henson’s 2007-​08 exhibition at the aforementioned gallery in Paddington, Sydney, the exhibition was cancelled after complaints were made to NSW Police regarding concerns about an email invitation from the Gallery to a «Private View» that depicted photographs of a nude 13-​year old girl. Regardless, this photograph was the focal point of the dining room and certainly kick-​started the conversation. The photograph was from his 2000 – 2003 exhibition and had nothing to do with the controversy that was caused when Bill Henson visited St Kilda Primary School in 2007 to pick out potential models for his work. Interesting trivia to say the least.
Despite the loud buzz, the very interesting fit-​out which included light beaming from faces from the wall and being approached by waiters in white jackets, I was amused if anything. The small design nuances were interesting to both search out and discuss, much like if you walk though the CBD and take the time to look up at the old architecture, you find curious things that you would usually not notice because you need to beware of trams and certain death. The super-​efficient server in the white jacket was quick to take our drink orders and discuss the more enigmatic aspects to the menu. I opted for a simple yet perfectly made Negroni. I am so used to being put off by what potentially could be a wonderful apéritif because bar-​staff tend to use excessive amounts of Campari, which overwhelms the gin and vermouth rosso. This was not the case here and I happily drank every last drop quickly and greedily.
As it was nearing 10:00 PM we were advised that we should place our orders as the kitchen was going to close. Fair enough. Moscardini Affogati (baby octopus slow cooked in red wine and chillies) ($ 29) was my first dish and considering the menu, it took some time to make this choice as there were so many dishes that seemed appealing. The octopus was unlike any other octopus that I have ever had the pleasure of having. Soft yet tender with a texture completely unlike what you would expect, if you have enjoyed octopus before. With the red wine sauce and the hint of chilli, this made for a magnificent first course. My learned friend opted for a bottle of 2010 Grosset Gaia (blend of 85% cabernet savignon and 15% cabernet franc) from a single site of the Clare Valley’s highest altitude vineyard. It probably wasn’t the best match for the beautiful octopus but went well with the sauce, however this choice was not the fault of the house and instead my highly ambitious and omniscient (sic) learned friend.
Considering the strengths of the wine, I opted for a main course of Spaghetti Salati (spaghetti with pork and beef ragout) ($ 36) and retired outside with my learned friend to discuss the meal, but also so he could enjoy a cigarette. It wasn’t until he was nearly finished sucking back his third stick when the waiter appeared outside to advise us that our mains were on the table. I thought this was not only apt but professional. Why keep the dish under a hot light when it should be consumed as soon as it is plated up and presented. The spaghetti was just as amazing and beautiful as the octopus and this time the wine match worked well.
My biggest regret is not attending Café Di Stasio for the fabled long lunch and it will be a destination the next time that I have business to discuss and deals to secure. An oasis located in a sea of detritus makes attending this restaurant (strangely called a café so you get the feeling that they are over-​delivering on all sensory fronts) which is considered a «Melbourne institution» for 25 years and counting.

My hotel recommended this restaurant when I had travelled to Melbourne. Since it was a short walk, I just strolled down and was promptly seated — it was early. I later realised that I was lucky to get served right away since this soon filled with fellows with reservations.
One of the pros for me was the plethora of vegetarian options on the menu. The staff was very pleasant. The maitre d informed me that they can make veggie versions of anything on the menu. Love it! I have dined at some excellent New York Italian restaurants but Di Stasio’s remains the finest Italian food I have eaten.

Great little Italian place in St Kilda. Service was impeccable, wine list was very comprehensive. Décor was fantastic and they stayed open for us.
Entrees of scallops for my companion — fantastic, I had the char grilled quail — superb.
Mains; lasagna and oven roasted rack of pork. Lasagna was average, the pork was tender but the drizzled mustard sauce was, well bland.

Café Di Stasio is an Italian fine dining experience, upon entering through the large black doors with golden hands as doorknobs you are greeted by a set of very professional staff and seated at lovely pristine white table. I was lucky enough to be dining at lunch time so was able to make use of the $ 35 lunch special. This included two courses as well as wine, very good value considering this is a fairly upmarket restaurant and usual prices reflect that. I ordered the Omelet D’aragosta which was crayfish cooked in bisque, it was amazing, creamy, light and elegant. For my main I ordered the Lamb, it literally melted in your mouth, it had obviously been slow cooked in a white wine sauce and deliciously seasoned with rosemary and garlic. Amazing! Café Di Stasio is also well known for their wine selection, having a vineyard in the Yarra Valley they have lots of their own wine available at the restaurant. I tried the Chardonnay and was very satisfied with my choice, I would definitely like to come back and extend my dining experience perhaps for dinner this time.

This is a restaurant that has recieved many accolades for its wine list and wonderful fine dining experience. My own personal experience here has only extended to dessert and coffee, but that experience alone left me very impressed with both the service and the decadent dessert that literally melted in my mouth.
I sat in the outdoor dining area, and even though I was not there for the full dining experience, the wait staff were professional, attentive, and had a thorough knowledge of the menu and wine pairings– including for dessert. Based off that experience alone I will definitely come back for dinner some time soon. The menu looked great!

Di Stasio is one of those restaurants to be adored in Fitzroy street so it was to my dismay that the service was below par on my last visit. Usually, it is supreme service so perhaps they had an off night which is a shame as I was showing it off to my lover.
The golden hand greeted us and we were seated at the back of the low lit restaurant which perhaps had something to do with it, as it seemed we had been forgotten. I had to even go and ask for water! I think our waiter had finished his shift or something so I asked to be seated up the front where a more diligent waiter presided.
It all turned around and we were treated to a spectacular meal. The food can never be faulted here, which is why it is respected so much. We shared the Carpaccio con Rucola, a raw beef with lemon dressing and roquette dish. I then ordered the fish of the day which was exquisite and lover boy ordered the Tagliata Di Manzo, eye fillet steak with balsamic and roasted tomato. In these flashy restaurants you have to order sides so we ordered a mixed leaf and the Insalata Di Piselli, a salad of peas and buffalo ricotta. It was perfect ordering and we were perfectly full. Besides the small glitch in service, DiStasio still manages to impress.