Va Tutto’s Feed Me menu brings together Italian hospitality and global influences in Ivanhoe

In a city constantly chasing its next restaurant opening, Va Tutto has built its reputation by staying put. After more than two decades in Ivanhoe, this is the kind of neighbourhood restaurant people still discover through recommendation, with regulars returning often enough for the dining room to feel familiar.

That sense of familiarity is matched by considered hospitality. Service is attentive without hovering, while each dish arrives at an unhurried pace that allows the evening to unfold naturally. As dinner settles in, the lighting subtly softens and the room becomes warmer and more intimate. Nothing feels forced or overworked. It is simply a restaurant that understands how much the smaller details matter.

Running throughout July and August, Va Tutto’s $90 Feed Me Chef Menu is available from Tuesday to Thursday. The seasonal five-course shared experience begins with Italian foundations before confidently moving across different cuisines.

The menu features bluefin tuna belly with wasabi mayonnaise and flying fish roe, crumbed halloumi with hot honey and pistachio, duck san choy bao, spinach risotto, O’Connor Wagyu fillet and a mille-feuille to finish.

With such a wide range of influences, the experience could easily lose its direction. Instead, Italian cheeses provide a subtle thread between the courses. Mascarpone enriches the beetroot dish before returning at dessert, while Asiago and Pecorino bring richness and balance to the spinach risotto.

Cooked to a genuine al dente, the risotto is the standout of the evening. The rice retains its bite, while the cheeses add depth without overwhelming the dish.

The opening courses leave the strongest collective impression, moving from Japanese-inspired seafood to Mediterranean flavours before returning to classic Italian technique. Rather than feeling like a random collection of dishes, the menu resembles a journey across different regions, eventually finding its way back to Italy.

An Italian wine list spanning Abruzzo, Tuscany, Piedmont and Veneto completes the experience.

Va Tutto may not be Ivanhoe’s newest arrival, but that is precisely part of its appeal. With warm service, thoughtful cooking and a menu unafraid to travel beyond Italy, it proves why some restaurants continue to thrive through word of mouth.

Melbourne Insider Rating: 4/5