Albero di Fico (Il Ristorante by Jerry Kim) – Authentic Italian Dining Experience in Melbourne’s il Mercato Centrale

AMAZING ATMOSPHERE AND TOP QUALITY ITALIAN CUISINE ! We tried Il Ristorante in the newly opened Il Mercato complex on Collins St (the renovated McPherson's multistorey building) on a Friday evening. In a word - brilliant! The venue is on the top floor of the complex and continues the Italian theme from the lower floors. It's like being transported to Milan for the evening :) We were warmly greeted on entry to the restaurant, placed at a delightful table with expansive views out along Collins St and immediately offered water. Tables are generously spaced and the whole dining room has a very open design. You can even watch the chefs at work in the open kitchen! The menu is comprehensive with a nice mix of meat, seafood, and pasta dishes (with decent vegetarian options) and is accompanied by a good wine list. We opted for the pan-seared scallops and sliced charred veal in tuna mayo and capers (both from the anti pasti range) followed by a calamari in tomato sugo and a grilled lamb fillet dish from the secondi selection. We added a side of seasoned broccolini. All were perfectly cooked and nicely seasoned. We were quite full (servings are fairly generous) after that so shared a wicked tiramisu for dessert. Several wines and sparkling water completed the meal! The wait staff were very attentive without being intrusive and were well versed on the menu and food allergy issues. People with mobility issues will be fine here as there are lifts to ground floor and there are no obstructions for wheelchair access. Although it is open plan, its not noisy and the music, shared throughout the complex, adds to that Italian feel :) Public transport options: - trams run right in front on Collins St and the Southern Cross metro station is a short walk away. Open for both lunch (every day) and dinner (Tues - Sat). We're going to return next week to try out the lunch and then check some of the interesting artisan stalls on the lower floors for some take-home produce :)

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Perfect Spot for a Family Dinner! This restaurant was the perfect choice for our family dinner. The food was absolutely incredible, and every dish was full of flavour and beautifully presented. Here’s what we tried: • ARANCINI: A crowd-pleaser to start with. The crispy, golden rice balls were creamy inside, with cauliflower, scamorza, and Grana Padano. The Gorgonzola emulsion was the perfect finishing touch. • VITELLO TONNATO: This was a standout. The rare, charred veal was tender and delicious, paired perfectly with tuna mayo, capers, and a drizzle of E.V.O.O. Everyone at the table loved it. • TOMINO: Grilled cheese wrapped in prosciutto—what’s not to love? The fig jam, pickled grapes, and walnuts added just the right mix of sweet and savoury. A favourite for sure. • PAPPARDELLE AI FUNGHI: The ultimate comfort food. The wide pasta was smothered in a rich, creamy truffle sauce with mushrooms and Parmigiano. Absolutely delicious! • TRENETTE AI FRUTTI DI MARE: This seafood pasta was bursting with fresh flavours. The garlic, parsley, chili, and perfectly cooked seafood made it a big hit at the table. • CAPPELLACCI NERI DI MARE: A real showstopper. The squid ink pasta, filled with spanner crab and prawn mousse, was indulgent and full of flavour, with King prawn cutlets to top it off. • BISTECCA DI MANZO: The rib-eye steak was cooked to perfection—tender, juicy, and packed with flavour. The truffled mash, mushrooms, and horseradish relish made it even better. • PATATE: Crispy fried potatoes with a sprinkle of sea salt flakes. Simple, but everyone couldn’t stop eating them. • TIRAMISU: A fantastic way to end the meal. Creamy mascarpone, coffee-soaked biscuits, and just the right amount of cocoa. Perfectly done! The atmosphere was warm and welcoming, and the service was spot-on—friendly and attentive. It’s not easy to please everyone at a family dinner, but this place absolutely nailed it. Highly recommend for a relaxed and unforgettable evening with loved ones!

Probably the best express lunch in the city. The food was excellent and a bruschetta, main and glass of wine of the quality we received is unrivalled at this price point. The food, service and presentation were first class and we truly enjoyed our fine dining expedience - for $55 each !. Il Mercato is a strange destination and there is probably more to be done to make the venue zing. However, with this as the cornerstone fine dining offering, I am sure it can become a vibrant place. Excellent lunch - thank you. We look forward to returning for dinner.