The Walters Restaurant
What:
The Waiters Restaurant
Where:
20 Meyers Place, Melbourne (off Bourke)
9650 1508
How Much:
Around $15 for mains
When:
Dinner served til late...
What do gunfire sieges and ravioli have in common? On The Sopranos all that's missing is a stiff drink served by a big-haired broad in a tight dress. But in the dark lanes of Melbourne's CBD, the two have also found their match at the Waiters Restaurant where, in 1978, 29 diners were held hostage by a gunman, threatening to release them via the 1st floor restaurant's window limb by limb. After 4 hours of patron's fetuccini, pastrami and canneloni going cold to the rants of the pacing madman, the pasta-loving prisoners were finally released when cops brought in the big guns to talk sense into the guy - his mama.
And to this day, Mama still knows best as diners gorge on belly-ache sized servings of Italian home cooking in an ambient interior of Laminex tables (and walls), faded bamboo print curtains and sticky school carpet. What it lacks in aesthetics, it provides in heartiness with staples; spaghetti bolognese and steaks with veg. Cheese loversand vegetarians will cry joyful tears for the spinach crepes rolling up a gooey filling of wilted spinach, ricotta and gorgonzola all smothered in Napoli sauce and yet more cheese.
Although prices which don't appear on the menu remain a mystery throughout the meal, expect to be presently surprised by the bill and order entree servings if you don't want to upset Mama when you can't finish your meal.
Venue: Restaurant
Meal: Where everybody knows your name
Keywords: Italian
Random Entries:
Search our guide to Melbourne
Browse our guide to Melbourne by interest
Browse our guide to Melbourne by keyword
Melbourne Events Calendar
Select a date to see what's on in Melbourne
Browse our guide to Melbourne by weekly issue
Working