Grazia

Grazia is an elevated, 100-seat Italian neighbourhood restaurant by Glen Iris local Joe Di Cintio (who also owns Sette Bello), Marco Zanone and Anton Ursini.

The diner is in a heritage-listed block on Burke Road, right by Central Park. A soaring atrium ceiling fills the restaurant with natural light, which spills over the Italian marble benchtops and terrazzo floors. In the open kitchen, an imported Castelli oven is turning out 72-hour-fermented pizzas, including the standout Gamberoni Grazia with king prawns, rocket pesto, green olives and Di Cintio’s chilli crisp.

While Roman-style pizza is the specialty, the extensive menu also includes starters and share plates like zucchini flowers stuffed with a decadent four-cheese filling, and chargrilled octopus with ‘nduja dressing.

There’s house-made pasta like wild-mushroom-filled tortelloni in a black truffle sauce, and potato gnocchi served with eight-hour braised beef cheek. And a handful of larger plates include crumbed milk-fed veal with roast vine-ripened tomatoes, and rolled pork belly with a celeriac puree. For something sweet, try the house-churned dark chocolate and hazelnut gelato.

A steep staircase takes you to the second level, where you’ll find another dining area and a bar. Here the team mixes up signature cocktails like the spicy Margarita with house-infused jalapeno tequila. Also on display are gems from the restaurant’s wide-ranging wine list, which features bottles from right across Italy, as well as local Australian drops.