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Rina’s

Old-school hospitality of the Sicilian variety.

Cavatelli cacio e pepe.
1 / 8Cavatelli cacio e pepe.Joe Armao
Inside Rina’s in Armadale.
2 / 8Inside Rina’s in Armadale.Justin McManus
Focaccia on the pass ready to go.
3 / 8Focaccia on the pass ready to go.Supplied.
Gnocco fritto with XO.
4 / 8Gnocco fritto with XO.Supplied
Black pig prosciutto with Christmas melon.
5 / 8Black pig prosciutto with Christmas melon.Joe Armao
Cannoli.
6 / 8Cannoli.Joe Armao
Lamb abaccio.
7 / 8Lamb abaccio.Joe Armao
Warm hospitality.
8 / 8Warm hospitality.Joe Armao

14.5/20

Italian$$

The menu is a mystery at this tiny trattoria, right up until the moment you’re about to eat. Some things, though, are certain. Trust that there will be five courses traversing antipasti, pasta and something sweet.

What you’ll drink starts out similarly vague. Some bottles are scrawled on a mirror, others suggested and poured by owner-chef Danny Natoli whose unhurried, generous energy sets the tone for what’s to come. Garden-fresh zucchini ribbons are coated in a crunchy, ultra-light batter. Mortadella pairs with soft mozzarella and caponata that sings of summer.

Dry-aged duck benefits from an anise-rich jus, while the truffle and cream sauce coating crowns of mushroom tortellini calls for more focaccia, placed – unprompted, almost illicitly – onto the table by a maitre d’ wearing a three-piece suit. Departing with a full belly is one final guarantee, helped along by piped-to-order lemon-pistachio cannoli.

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Original URL: https://www.theage.com.au/goodfood/vic-good-food-guide/rina-s-20240508-p5gvni.html