Guy Grossi Spills On What Makes A Top-Tier Lasagne Ahead Of World Lasagne Day

It’s World Lasagne Day, Here’s Where To Tuck Into Melbourne’s Best

For the love of lasagna, brace yourselves for World Lasagne Day on 29 July—as one of Melbourne’s top chefs prepares to join the pasta party.  

Grossi Florentino’s Guy Grossi is presenting a luxe, long lunch on the day—with house-made lasagne served tableside—after antipasti and before tiramisu.

Before continuing, and to clear up any possible confusion, there are many regional versions of lasagne. Some have chopped boiled egg, peas, sliced pancetta or cubed ham added. Some are missing the bechemel sauce while others replace the bolognese mince with teeny beef chunks.

Also, lasagna refers to a single sheet of pasta while lasagne is the name for the final product—a baked, layered pasta dish, typically lathered in ragu and cheese.

As a youngster, Guy watched his “amazing cook” mother (who weekdays was thrifty with ingredients) make a delectable family-sized lasagne “with love”, each Sunday. An extra tasty lasagne comes by making it the night before, using high-quality ingredients, seasoning the pasta water and not skimping on Parmigiano cheese, he says.

Book your seat at the table for Grossi’s lasagne lunch here.

More of Melbourne’s Best Lasagne

Romeo’s

Image: Romeo's | Supplied

The Toorak institution, open seven days a week from morning until late, and run by the Tannous family for four decades, has a heap of pasta dishes on the menu, including two lasagne—the classic ragu and also a spinach-based version.  It’s a generous-sized dish, with a few, fragrant, fresh basil leaves pressed on before it leaves the pass. Romeo’s is the kind of place that prides itself on having hosted a celebrity or two in its day. 

Lasagne Lab

Image: Lasagne Lab | Supplied

Lasagna Lab co-owner Alessio Davidde and co-owner/chef Mattia Aloisio are Italian natives who dish out in Windsor some of the finest slabs of lasagne you’re ever going to encounter. The pair have recently opened in West Melbourne, with a comprehensive menu boasting modern twists on the classics including a Braised Gippsland Duck Lasagne with Taleggio, fresh Oregano and Macadamia. They’ve also launched the Tasca—a lasagna pocket with two options—one with bolognese ragu and mozzarella and the other stuffed with porcini ragu, mozzarella, 36 months-aged Parmesan and truffle.

Pellegrini’s Espresso Bar

Speaking of icons, the enormous slab of lasagne that comes from the kitchen at Pellegrini’s in the CBD, swimming in ragu, is as delicious as it is filling. It’s traditional to a tee and don’t be shy with the freshly grated cheese. Established in 1954, the original decor, bustling vibe and counter seating transports you to another time and place. 

Amatrice Rooftop Restaurant

Image: Amatrice | Supplied

Is it a bit of a gimmick? Perhaps. But the bite-sized Zia’s Calabrian Square appetisers (mini deli cuts lasagne, cacio e pepe) are a fun palate tease. The Cremorne eatery has joined many others in holding bottomless brunch Sundays. And has recently welcomed chef Alessandro Sportelli (Di Stasio Città and Carlton). 

Il Caminetto

Locals can’t get enough of the classic dish at this cosy Moonee Ponds pasta and pizza bar, established in 2018. The home-made pasta sheets are crafted into a beef Bolognese and bechemel sauce lasagne that hits the spot. A vegan option is also on the Winter menu. Il Caminetto also serves up some of Melbourne’s best pizza—having won the Michelin star equivalent for pizza. 

Louey’s at Hotel Esplanade

The lasagne at Louey’s is described as a no-frills, big hug-on-a-plate kind of dish by Australian Venue Co Executive Chef Telina Menzies. “It’s hearty, loaded and made to satisfy. The definition of classic American—Italian comfort food,” Telina says. The place has soft lighting, red leather booths and a disco ball that appears when the DJ starts spinning. More of St Kilda’s best restaurants this way.

LaManna

Image: LaManna | Supplied

When you don’t feel like budging from the couch, a take-home meal can be the answer. LaManna in Essendon Fields, a sprawling, premier Italian supermarket, is so enamoured with World Lasagne Day, that it’s stretching celebrations through August. Each week there’s a fresh flavour—kept secret until the day of release—except the grapevine has already revealed details of week one’s special—a sausage vodka lasagne.

Mister Bianco

Image: Mister Bianco | Supplied

Weekly movie nights in winter bring lasagne to the table at Mister Bianco in Kew, run by seasoned chef Joe Vargetto, who is renowned for his passion for southern Italian fare. He’s even written a sold-out book about Sicilian meals called Siciliano. On movie nights, he matches the pasta—served in individual cast iron dishes—with a glass of prosecco and popcorn. He’s prone to changing things up in the kitchen so his mum’s recipe lasagne has been dropped from the regular menu, for now. But with enough requests, he’s happy to bring it back.

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