Mellino’s is the all-night pasta I never realised Brisbane had. I’d always been aware of the little Italian restaurant across from Rics in the Valley mall, but I’d never really taken notice until a few nights ago, when my companion and I were looking for a late night snack. It was around 11pm, a time when most Brisbane eateries not bound in neon have long closed their doors. Craving something more than a cheeseburger or a soggy piece of hot-box pizza and noticing movement in the restaurant, we decided to take a chance on the Mellino’s kitchen being open. Turns out we needn’t have worried: Mellino’s is open all night on Fridays and Saturdays. The food was cheap, generously portioned, and tasty, and went down very well with a couple of glasses of $ 4 house red. The food isn’t the best feature of this place, though; number one is definitely the view from the outside dining area. Patrons have a wide range, unadulterated view of every Tom, Dick, and Harry coming up and down the mall. Those who have beheld this scene will understand the joy it brings. I can highly recommend paying Mellino’s a visit after a race meet or during the festive season. Get comfy!
Sun E.
Place rating: 3 Brisbane, Australia
Mellino’s has been in the Valley since before most of its patrons were born, so it has seen a lot come and go and still manages to hold on to a bit of the old vibe. For me, personally, I don’t go to Mellino’s for Italian — well, not specifically for Italian. I go because they’re open 24 hours Friday, Saturday and Sunday night and provide the perfect place to sit outside and people watch in the Valley Mall, or just to sober up quietly a little over a bowl of pasta. Mellino’s serves what you’d expect — basic, garlicky Italian food that, when covered with powdered parmesan, is usually just what your inner drunk doctor ordered. It’s not the best Italian in Brisbane but, now I think about it, it’s probably the best Italian experience in Brisbane. Instead of hitting Macca’s with the 5am munchies go to Mellino’s and experience a part of Valley history for about the same price but with much better memories!
Lewis T.
Place rating: 4 Kingsford, Australia
After a busy day pounding the pavement around Brisbane I headed into Fortitude Valley with a good friend for dinner. Fortitude Valley is great for dining out as you’ve got lots of variety to choose from. For those of you who follow me on you may notice that I have a particular fondness for Asian cuisine however on this particular evening I elected Italian. This is how we found our way to Mellino’s. Mellino’s is located right in the heart of Fortitude Valley, close to a number of hotspots, such as Ric’s, The Bank and virtually every club people talk about. Like many of the restaurants in this area patrons have the option to sit indoors or outdoors along Brunswick St Mall that encapsulates«The Valley». For those young folk out there with an extra bit of cash in your pocket, it’s always a fun idea to start your night at a restaurant before heading out on the town. Many diners may find themselves electing the option to sit outside however I felt that the interior of Mellino’s actually had a lot to offer. Like many Italian restaurants the interior design focused on comfort and homeliness. I particularly enjoyed the Picasso-esque depictions of wine glasses on the walls, one of which seemed to depict two wine glasses in a tender(borderline sexual) embrace. Curious to see how a place like this would do the classics I ordered myself a serving of Spaghetti Bolognaise. The service staff was incredibly helpful and flirtatious, which is a rare thrill for me that I relish in a little too much. Perhaps the paintings on the wall were affecting the collective mood at Mellino’s. The food arrived in a prompt fashion and we devoured it with the same haste in which it reached us. Perhaps my encounter with the waiter left me feeling a little ravenous. I was feeling rather jolly leaving Mellino’s after having a lengthy discussion with the waiter about the malfunctioning eftpos machine. I was feeling full, content and relieved that I had managed to spend well under $ 20. The food itself was quite nice however it wasn’t the best Italian I’ve ever had. This being said, for $ 13 my dish was excellent value and I’d happily spend another evening at Mellino’s(not just for the waiter).
