Years after visiting this restaurant I have ventured back last night! I had fond memories of yummy…read morepasta before the days of gluten free diet, but they have plenty of non-offical GF foods on the menu too. I ordered the seafood risotto (with a hint of chilli please) and hubby ordered the variation of surf n turf that way on the menu (Steak with prawns in a creamy sauce, served on lovely veggies). He had a beer and sadly, I didn't have a chinotto, because they didn't have any in stock, oh well! Tables are covered in white paper, space is quiet small but works well with mirrors on the walls. Noise wasn't too loud, which is great. It was fairly busy for a Monday night. So, the servings - MASSIVE! I ordered the main sized meal, not the entree sized and I literally laughed (with joy) when I saw it. The volume of fresh seafood in my risotto was excellent, scallops, big prawns, calamari and other delights were plentiful. And yes, the added chilli flakes were perfect. I ate about half and then requested a container to take the rest with me. Is this okay to do? I do it anyway, I love leftovers so much. The service was quick, but our waitress wasn't overly friendly and tended to lethargically plonk things down heavily, including our meals. I love super friendly service, so this was a bit of a minus. My partner noticed it too and mentioned it to me, and it did change the experience a little for us. She could have just been having a bad day, and that happens! Halfway through my meal, a caterpillar made a break out of my salady-decoration part on the side. Luckily I hate lettuce so I didn't eat him accidentally. I showed the waitress who was horrified, so I put the caterpillar in the garden outside and we paid the bill. We laughed a fair bit afterwards too - although I was surprised that the chef wasn't told about the incident, or if she was, that we weren't offered an apology/discount. Not that I needed/wanted either, but as I spent a couple of year waitressing my way through uni, I know how that situation is usually treated. Overall: The food was excellent value and so delicious! I might return for the occasional meal or takeaway risotto, but I think I won't be a loyal customer, because the service wasn't overly great. Three stars because value and quality of the meals was really good.

Bottom line up front: A really nice meal but a little over priced…read more The Bruschetta for entree was great. Same old topping but this time on a pizza base. Yummy. The calamari was simple and perfectly done. The service was ok. If only waiters in Italian restaurants would pronounce Bruschetta properly...right? I had a medium pizza which was terrific and the veal scallopini was good too. The paper table cloth is literally just butchers paper and detracted significantly. The wines were good, though and, unlike the meals, were very reasonably priced. Despite the expense, I would still come back for another meal. I made a point of thanking the staff in the pizza kitchen on the way out and they were appreciative. In this area, it is the only real Italian option around and I certainly left satisfied.

Excellent combination of external good weather dining, or normal inside dining. Excellent staff…read more Menu is varied and doesn't disappoint.

My partner stopped in here for brunch after a weekend away to Ballarat, omg the meals were amazing,…read moreI had the vegan big breakfast which was out of this world. My partner had the bacon and eggs also delish, lovely atmosphere and the staff were very attentive and extremely friendly, I will definitely be back next I'm up that way

As this place is only a short drive away for me, I love coming here with friends and relatives…read more Everything here feels fresh, with love being put into the food, with inviting, rustic decor. The pancakes are a winner here, as well as their chicken sandwich with chicken, herbed mayo, spinach, and caramelised onion is simply delicious. I also ordered the iced chocolate - going against my sister's advice, and was let down. The chocolate tasted very powdery or bitter - not ideal for an iced chocolate as I was expecting something a little sweeter. The iced coffee however was much nicer :)

Sometimes a gem is found purely by accident as was the case when I visited the Gisbourne area…read morerecently and stopped by Pitruzzello's. Centred in wine country this olive oil and wine vineyard boasts a modern restaurant and conference facility as well as the plant for making their extraordinary wines and oils. The owners have really done their homework and kept their grape varieties limited to the soil type found in the area. This has produced some superb whites and the dry white I had with my meal was worth the trip. Local fresh produce utilising many items grown on the property made for a special experience and the friendly staff went out of their way to make this visit a special one. For me and mine this is going to be a regular occurrence in the future.

Such a cute little spot! If you are visiting in the area this is the perfect spot to have a coffee…read more(Plunger coffee recommended!) The service was so nice and it was the kind of place I could imagine coming everyday (: I fell in love with this place and the food looked beautiful! Clearly made with love.

Lovely courtyard out the back and a good old fashioned menuread more

Thank you to the Zia Teresa staff members who looked after our table of five on the night, and to…read moreLinda whose help was much appreciated. We had a wonderful night with every dish ordered a hit! Delicious

When you seek an authentic Italian meal, Zia Teresa never let you down…read more The staff are efficient, friendly and knowledgeable. You always feel as though you're visiting someone kitchen, it oozes warmth and comfort. From what I understand the lady that runs the kitchen and cooks is that same person that started the business, her daughter runs the floor. Great selection at the bar too. I've told so many about Zia and they too have never been let down.

A long time Templestowe institution in the heart of Templestowe (on the roundabout)that has seen…read moremany other businesses come and go over the years. Consistently hearty (large) pasta dishes, personal favourites - the spicy Amatriciana and Calabrese although the menu extends to other Italian classics and a good selection of daily specials including seafood. A popular spot with plenty of (heated) patio seating, well suited to a family gathering.

Second leg of a catch up with old friends. We moved on from the local pub to here on a…read morerecommendation. This is a largish suburban Italian restaurant. I'd call it comfort food they serve here. My marinara pizza reminded me of the good ones I used to eat in the old days out in the 'burbs. Nothing fancy about it but plenty of good tomato sauce and ample seafood and expertly cooked. A seriously good old style pizza. Not gourmet, not wood fired, just old style with crusts you loved to finish. I really liked it. The other dishes at the table were good too and there were lots of nods all round. They also make a great coffee here. Mine was a beauty. A final compliment for the servers here tonight especially the older lady who mainly attended to us. The service was fantastic. Brisk, efficient, friendly and at times, witty. It helped make for a very nice night. As I wandered off to go home I began to reflect on how little I really knew. The chances of me coming to a place like this without a special occasion and being wedged into going we're probably zero. It would have been my loss.

RATED "...FAMILY RESTAURANT WITH DELICIOUS AUTHENTIC ITALIAN CUISINE..."…read more We don't usually go out for Italian food - having an Italian heritage means you never quite enjoy the experience - you've always got the almost genuine article to compare it to - Mum's lasagna al forno, Aunty T's home-made pane di casa, Cousin J's torta alla ricotta and it goes on...... So... it is with real pleasure... that I announce - a NEW FIND - CHIARA CUCINA ITALIANA in Kealba [St Albans]. We booked a table for six, for last night, and just hoped for the best... We knew, almost immediately, we were onto something pretty damn good, as we watched the BIG dishes of STEAMING BEAUTIFULLY COOKED, and SMOTHERED WITH HOME-STYLE SMELLING and LOOKING SAUCE, EXTRA WIDE PAPPARDELLE being carried to other tables... The PIZZAS also... LOOKED and SMELLED DIVINE... Hey...!!! We all thought... We're in for a good feed tonight...!!! WE WEREN'T DISAPPOINTED... Between us we had the folowing dishes... Entrees: SOUP OF THE DAY - CAULIFLOWER - Huge serving.. Huge flavour.. Creamy.. Smooth.. GARLIC & OREGANO PIZZETTA - Crisp thin dough.. Fresh garlic.. Lots of oregano.. Good olive oil.. ITALIAN SAUSAGE - Spicy pork salsicce, sliced.. Good tomato salsa.. Fresh white cheese, crumbled.. Scooped up and eaten with pane di casa bread.. Mains: CHICKEN PARMIGIANA - Thick chicken breast.. Napoli sauce.. Fior di latte mozzarella.. Fat rosemary chips.. Well-dressed very fresh rocket salad.. CRUMBED VEAL - Thin slices tender vitello.. Sweet and sour peperonata.. Fresh crisp cabbage and caper salad.. SAUTEED CHICKEN - Thick tender chicken breast.. Tomato and pancetta sauce.. Sweet potato mash.. Olive oil and lemon dressed greens.. Desserts: PANNACOTTA - Beautiful.. TIRAMISU - .. Water to table: Not chilled.. but it was filtered.. AND was poured.. We wanted to end with coffee - Smelled wonderful.. tried hard, couldn't fit it in...... next time.. Re Service: Friendly.. Efficient.. Energetic.. Loved that after each course, they would ask if everything had been okay... Yes... everything was much more than okay... except for two things - and I must be honest - not quite enough desserts on the menu.. and the Tiramisu was a little disappointing... Honestly... this didn't really matter on the night - we'd been overwhelmed by the flavours of the savoury food... Re Ambience.. Look it's not stunning visually - It's a very good.. very clean.. traditional type.. family friendly eatery.. BUT they do have thick white cotton cloths, contemporary table-ware.. and last night.. fresh white lilacs on table.. Thoroughly enjoyed this meal... Will definitely visit again... BEST BIT - We had Groupon Vouchers x 2 - The meal was an absolute steal... and included a complimentary glass of very drinkable pink moscato or a house dry red...!!! [Our gratitude and thanks..] REGULAR PRICES - Fair considering both QUALITY OF INGREDIENTS and PORTION SIZES.. Visited on Friday 23 October for Dinner with family and friends.