Not really a review of the food as we never got to eat! Came in on a week night and it all seemed pretty quiet but we were told it would be a 30 minute wait for a table(seemed a bit odd, but hey who knows what is going out the back?) We went away and came back and were seated. after waiting another 30 mins with no waiter or menus we asked if there was a problem. The waiter said they would be with us soon. 5 mins later we had had enough and left. Possibly there was something else going on but if they could not accommodate us they should have told us, we would have understood. Won’t be back as we don’t want to risk it. A pity as we have been told it is good.
Emily C.
Rating des Ortes: 3 Melbourne, Australia
Was surprised first up by the size of the place, apparently 4 shop fronts? The food was good, nothing mind blowing, duck main was a little dry and veal medallions were really two small schnitzels, although the thyme and parmesan crumb was crispy and had a good flavour. Typical suburban Italian. Maybe a little salty. Highlight was the garlic focaccia to start with, dough had a lovely flavour and texture, made me wish I’d ordered the pizza.
Julia L.
Rating des Ortes: 3 Melbourne, Australia
I’ve eaten at Di Palmas on three different occasions. Once with family on a Saturday night, again on Saturday for takeaway pizza and then attended a private function again falling on a Saturday night. Similarly, I can not draw a conclusion as to wether this place really lived up to the expectations bestowed upon it by half the neighbourhood. One thing I can conclude however is that Saturday nights are extremely busy! On my first occasion they were far too late in serving us both our mains and dessert. While the waitress was friendly and apologetic it was hard to tame my rumbling stomach! Takeaway the second time was pretty average, the pizza tasted almost processed. Third time was set menu. This seemed easy enough for the waitstaff to handle, mainly because there was bout 6 staff to a table of 6, with such a small intimate group it was hardly required. The food was adequate but nothing overwhelming.
Celia M.
Rating des Ortes: 3 Victoria, Australia
I seem to be the only one who doesn’t like Di Palmas. Friends rave about the great food, friendly hospitality and reasonable prices. Clearly I was missing something. It’s okay but not great. I feel like this sums up Di Palmas pretty well. The last time I went I wasn’t bowelled over by the cuisine although it was perfectly respectable, nor the service that lacked a little warmth. I had the potato gnocchi with the 4-cheese sauce($ 22.50) and it just didn’t live up to my expectations. The flavours lacked any subtlety or finesse and this seemed to be the opinion of my companion, he had the braised duck risotto($ 24.50). I left Di Palmas feeling disappointed and confused. I really wanted to like the restaurant, but every time I went it couldn’t produce the same level of cuisine or service that exists elsewhere in Kew(Estivo and Mister Bianco to name a few). However, I will swallow my pride and say that even if I didn’t have a great experience it was obvious that others did. You can’t fail to notice the content and happy clientele that pack Di Palmas. So maybe I just picked a bad night. Maybe the kitchen and the staff were a little stressed. Di Palmas earns 3 star rating because the Jury is still out.