Carlucci's Restaurant

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When I first went to Carlucci's, maybe twenty or so years ago, it was one of the first such cafes in our local area. It had the biggest range of cakes and biscuits I had ever seen. Since then a number of other well-visited cafes have established themselves a nice little market in Templestowe but Carlucci's still stands large and proud on the corner of James St. It's a bit of an institution with the others the poor cousins (in size).



Carlucci's is a friendly Italian restaurant bar and cafe in the northeastern region. It's well known for its extensive selection of dishes including pizza, pasta, seafood, steak, the finest coffee and … oh my gracious me …the sweet treats! There is a specials menu board full of seasonal and new surprising meals to try.

Breakfast is available from 8.30-12. You can have a hot breakfast from just $4. Lunch is served from 12-3 and dinner is available from 3. The cheapest pizza is a garlic from $6.90. Kid's meals are $10.90. Take away is available and they have BYO Wine only option. To peruse the menus click here .

On my recent visit I discovered Carlucci's have extended their outdoor area with a bistro blind annex and super sonic heaters overhead. It's a great spot for winter when you get sick of being indoors. I found it quieter too.



We had the warm chicken salad, which was not a light meal. It was the best-grilled chicken I have ever had. It was slightly browned and crisp on the outside but very tender on the inside. The salad was fresh and had a tasty, light dressing.



I am much too predictable at an Italian restaurant. I often fall for the vegetarian gnocchi as I did today. It was a nice pesto with a few surprises… a few sundried tomatoes, olives and lots of garlic (just the way I like it). I am awfully glad I only ordered an entrée. It looked like a main meal to me.



The waitress must have been watching because she was over very shortly after we started our meals to check on how we were enjoying them. She was friendly, attentive and chatty. I think she was pleased we had heeded her recommendations for the chicken salad and chosen the entrée size.

To my disgust I couldn't try out one of their stunning looking desserts. The vanilla slices (AKA snot blocks when we were kids) were the biggest I have ever seen. I can imagine the yummy custard going everywhere when trying to devour that one. There must have been over thirty choices of desserts, not including the ice creams and pancakes. I still remember the latter from two decades ago, which is saying something, as I can't even remember what happened last week.



The coffee was served with a heart shape on top and I ordered a fresh juice, which was a delicious combination of apples, oranges, pineapple and watermelon. I made a mental note to try to make that a home.



With so many newer restaurants in town we are spoilt for choice in Templestowe. Remember not to pass Carlucci's, especially if you are a sweet tooth. They are open for every meal, every day and they are not expensive. Even if you are a regular you will not be disappointed as there are so many possible choices. What more could you want?

#afternoon_tea
#cafes
#cheap
#dessert_bars
#italian_restaurants
#lunch
#north_east
#templestowe
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