i would class this as one of the worst restaurants i have been to.

the food is definitely not authentic italian. all our meals were disguised with a sauce including the steak and the grilled calamari.   (rosie - See my reviews (5) - December, 2008)

Restaurant response - I,m sorry rosie to read your review re: our restaurant not being authentic , we now come to our 43rd year in the hospitality industry and hundreds of regular happy diners simply on the very authentic Italian cooking

we create ..... we have won many awards from different groups of judges understanding authentic Italian cuisine (di cucina antica italiana dal 1887) however rosie I don't know if you have dined again since than

we like to invite you back and experience the difference in authentic Italian cuisine, please call me direct and we have a special bottle of wine on the table. I'll be looking forward to hear from you soon.

Regards host/chef Giovanni   (May, 2009)

Sensational!!!!

Food is some times destroyed with chefs or cooks ( i have no idea were their taste buds are), but at the La Contadina (Italian) it was delivered with great care. The freshness of their produce was evident and cooked with love and passion, the favours was the result of pride in what they want their customers to enjoy.

I thank them all for a first class meal, WELL DONE.

Joe Mollica   (See my reviews (3) - October, 2008)

Restaurant response - Thank you Joe

because of you and hundreds of happy diners that do understand about the genuine authentic cooking

we are continuing enjoy our wonderful industry ... and keep serving Melbourne the best

again

thank you for your comments ( host/chef Giovanni)   (May, 2009)

Sensational!!!!

Food is some times destroyed with chefs or cooks ( i have no idea were their taste buds are), but at the La Contadina (Italian) it was delivered with great care. The freshness of their produce was evident and cooked with love and passion, the favours was the result of pride in what they want their customers to enjoy.

I thank them all for a first class meal, WELL DONE.

Joe Mollica   (See my reviews (3) - October, 2008)

Sensational!!!!

Food is some times destroyed with chefs or cooks ( i have no idea were their taste buds are), but at the La Contadina (Italian) it was delivered with great care. The freshness of their produce was evident and cooked with love and passion, the favours was the result of pride in what they want their customers to enjoy.

I thank them all for a first class meal, WELL DONE.

Joe Mollica   (See my reviews (3) - October, 2008)

Very friendly atmosphere with good menu and very warm service.   (September, 2008)

Great ambience, steak was disappointing.   (August, 2008)

Restaurant response - I'M Sorry to read that the steak wasn't to your expectation we always buy from our regular butcher

mostly grain-fed beef or wagyu steak from south australia which are the best cut in the market.

please let me know when you're next in the restaurant.

host/chef Giovanni   (May, 2009)

It was a beautiful warm and friendly place. We thought the main meal sizes could have been slightly larger than they were but overall very nice.   (May, 2008)

We found the food reasonable however the service on the night was abysmal. We will never return.   (jacko - December, 2007)

we had a nice evening, until we had left something at the table (a present) and no one was willing to assist us in trying to locate it, the staff & manager were both very unhelpful.   (December, 2007)

Restaurant response - I'm sorry I don't have a name to respond to. however I have investigated the incident of that evening, and it appeared that A photo was left behind and it fell under the table and being in the evening it was difficult to see it . however the staff and manager looked thoroughly for more than 15 minutes . the photo was then found . we done all we could to help them, however they apologized and thanked us for the fantastic evening they had ( it was 1.30 in the morning)

THE MANAGER

ANTHONY ( la contadina)   (May, 2009)

We found the food at this restaurant was first class and fully intend to dine there again at our earliest opportunity. We recommend the food and hospitality to anyone, and also found the wine etc. were not over priced.   (December, 2007)

Restaurant response - Thank You for your comments and compliments , our family is always appreciative to comments like yours, and because of diners like your selves that appreciate and have great taste for great authentic food ... is why we continuing working hard for our industry.(since 1967 in Melbourne)

please let me know when you're in next time in our restaurant I, like to share a glass of top home quality

made wine with your family or friends.

host/chef Giovanni and family

Thank you   (May, 2009)