The DiMattinas have lovingly transformed the historic venue into a luxurious dining institution serving up smart and modern Italian cuisine, thankfully devoid of pomp.
After going through various incarnations - including a small stint as a French restaurant - this former hangout of the 'spaghetti mafia' was taken over in 2007 by the enterprising DiMattina family, who were only too aware of the stately venue's historical significance and eager to take it back to its Italian roots.
With the aid of Rino Codognotto, son the original owner of the Italian Society, the DiMattinas lovingly restored the venue. Soaring ceilings, plush blue curtains, velvety banquette seating, faux wooden wall panels and antique-style wall lamps all add to its classic charm, while a feature wall inspired by the former 1980s menu serves as a subtle ode to the past. Down the back of the restaurant, an opulent private dining area called Rino's Room is adorned with hand-painted Art Nouveau-style red walls and luxurious chandeliers.
The menu is smart, modern and thankfully devoid of pomp, sticking to rustic and flavoursome combinations. The antipasto plate is generous, while the ostriche con pancetta (pancetta-wrapped oysters in spicy tomato sugo, oven baked and finished with a balsamic reduction) is tangy and delicious. When we visit, the freshly made pasta ripiena (filled pasta of the day) is pumpkin and ricotta tortellini with burnt sage butter; it is sweet, buttery and gobbled up in seconds. The wine list contains a nice blend of Australian and Italian varieties, with enough available by the glass to appease discerning wine drinkers.
Open
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Breakfast
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Lunch
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Dinner
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Late
Mon-Fri 7am-10pm Sat 9am-10pm
Italian
Entree: $13.50-$21
Mains: $22-$38
Dessert: $13-$14
Payment accepted: MasterCard, Visa and EFTPOS
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:
Suzi E
|
6 March 2011, 2.55pm
Quality !
Society has fast become one of my favourite places in Melbourne. The decor amongst the 3 levels is very beautiful and elegant! The food: top quality - something as simple as a mushroom risotto is bursting with flavour! The staff: warm, welcoming and knowledgable. Drink menu: a great range from wines to cocktails. Overall - highy recommended for dinner and a cocktail in the Versace room on level 1.
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Visit: Thu 3 February 2011
Mealtime: dinner
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Posted by:
Foodie Fan
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17 July 2009, 1.32pm
One of My Favorites!
Society is one of my favorite places in Melbourne! Warm and friendly staff that make you feel like family. The food is yummy. I take my friends up to High SOciety bar on the second level for a new cocktai conconction that are always delicious. A must try!
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Visit: Fri 17 July 2009
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Posted by:
FoodLoverIAm
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19 May 2009, 9.19pm
OK Food in an OK Place
My friends and I were out to make a night of it in Melbourne on a Saturday and chose to book a table to dine at Society Restaurant for the first time.
First impressions on arrival weren't good with the three of us put onto a table that was obviously sized for two. One of us was quite tall so it was going to be a crush. Pleading with the waiter didn't help, so we made the best of it and took our seats.
For entre I had the Ostriche con Panchetta (oysters wrapped in panchetta) which were acceptable, but perhaps a trifle bland and wanting some spice to be added.
With the main course I chose the lamb which came cooked two ways, one consisting of a lovely oven roasted lamb shank which was very nice, but unfortunately accompanied by a stuffed lamb something or other, that has been very overcooked and resembled (and tasted like) a hockey puck.
The wine selection is not extensive but well selected. We began with a nice WA cab-sav, then decided to move on to another selection, only to be told ten minutes after ordering that the bottle was not available. After making another selection, yet another ten minutes passed before being told that the new selection was also not available. We took the suggestion of a replacement from the waiter, but were very disappointed in the choice. With such a smallish local wine list it should be possible for the wait staff to keep track of what is and isn't available.
The desserts luckily enough though were outstanding and made up for any other disappointments.
Overall the food was OK, the atmosphere very noisy (but what else would you expect in an Italian eatery?), and the service overall also OK.
The desserts however were excellent.
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Visit: Sat 16 May 2009
Mealtime: dinner
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Posted by:
sporty
|
28 November 2008, 2.08pm
Great express lunch
Had never been here before but will be back. Fantastic service, excellent wine selection and great food. Had the calamari salad from the express lunch menu and was not disappointed. Would highly recommend Society for lunch on a shoe string.
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Visit: Fri 28 November 2008
Mealtime: lunch
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Posted by:
svm18
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21 July 2008, 12.37pm
A quick meal but most enjoyable
Had dinner there before a show, and stated that we had a show to go to... and well everything went to plan. The food came out in a well respectable time. The wine suggestions with our meals was also well matched. (So was the grappa). The olives which had been marinated in chilli which you receive gratis were fantastic and rather addictive (and i was allowed a second serving). We had a serve of the oysters mixed dozen of what was on offer and they went down a treat. My husband had the steak on special, and I had the veal shanks with polenta. The food was well cooked and thoroughly enjoyed. The service was fantastic. The atmosphere was nothign to complain about... but our little table for two wasn't the most confortable against a change of shape in the wall.. which didn't leave me much space to eat at.
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Visit: Fri 11 July 2008
Mealtime: dinner
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Posted by:
*** Review
|
17 August 2007, 9.51pm
Thoroughly enjoyable!
Fabulous place to have anything from a simple meal of pasta to an inventive meat dish. The panna cotta for dessert is perfect!
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Visit: Thu 16 August 2007
Mealtime: dinner
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