Homemade Italian doughnuts dusted with sugar; smashed avocados scattered with cherry tomatoes, ricotta and poached egg; buttery agnolotti plump with spinach, ricotta and pumpkin.
That’s just some of the delicious fare on offer at Carbone’s Cafe and Restaurant in Taylors Lakes.
There’s also the head chef’s signature gnocchi, and of course, there’s a hearty beef lasagne.
Manager Antoniette Carbone describes the lasagne as “amazing”.
“And we sell loads of it,” she enthuses.
The business, which began as a bakery in Essendon North, has been in Taylors Lakes since 2008.
Nowadays, it has a small team including front of house staff and head chef Ciro.
Head waitress, Suzi, says the cafe’s devoted customers have a penchant for warm and friendly Italian food and service.
“We have a close relationship with a lot of our regular customers,” Suzi says. “One customer, Barbara, who comes in every day for her skinny latte, is like family now!”
The staff are equally intent on keeping small customers satisfied.
“For children, there’s a Carbone board with a cartoon that they can colour in while the adults dine,” Antoniette says.
And she is happy to accommodate larger food orders.
“We’ve always done catering. Confirmations, communions, first birthdays – the lot. We do arancini balls, rice balls, meatballs and lasagne – these are particularly popular choices.
“We also do amazing authentic pizza. The type we make is pizza verace, a classic pizza from Napoli. Verace means that the yeast has to rise for 24 hours before we can use it.”
Plans are afoot for the cafe to open for dinners and private evening function bookings are now offered at the cafe.
“Suzi is always happy to sit down with people to discuss a personalised catering oder to suit functions,” Antoniette says.
“We can take care of the catering whether it’s going to be held at the customer’s house or at Carbone’s Cafe.”
Star Weekly readers who mention this article will receive a glass of house wine for free with their main meals until April 15.
Carbone’s Cafe and Restaurant, Shop 7/3 Melton Highway, Taylors Lakes. Opens Monday-Friday 8am-5pm, Saturday 8am-4pm, Sunday 9am-4pm. Inquiries: 8390 9780 or visit Carbone’s Cafe on Facebook and Instagram
