La Maiella - Pioneer Rd, Waurn Ponds

Great home made Italian pastas, deserts and COFFEE in a super kitsch setting. This place was so unexpected. The waiter is hilarious...cracking jokes all night. He really loved it. He was so nice. <br/ <br/ We had the bruschetta it was awesome really nice and traditional. Then the pastas, my partner's carbornara with fettuccinie was really good, the gnocchi I had was okay, but I have had better. It was as others say like a really nice home cooked Italian dinner. I will try the lasagne next time or the fettuccinie. The sauce that I had, neapolitan sauce was really nice.<br/ <br/ Then the deserts, I don't normally like tiramisu but this one was delicious and we had the gelato that had been imported from italy, four flavours delicious the pistachio was my favourite. <br/ <br/ Oh and how can I forget the COFFEE awesome, perfect if you like it the proper way espresso yes!!!!! The best best best.<br/ <br/ All in all it was a really fun and entertaining night, mostly because of the waiter. I think his name is Carlos. I would definitely go back just because the service was so good. Of course the decor is dated but in a kinda awesome way there are cassette tapes playing and there is a really old phone hanging on the wall. But the food was good and at seriously good prices too. <br/ <br/ 4 starters, 4 mains and salad, 4 deserts, 4 coffees and wine $35 per head<br/ Pretty awesome. Some might be interested to know beers are $4!!!!<br/ <br/ <br/ <br/ Will be back.

Little Italy gem! Nonna cooks all meals on her own in the kitchen and they are delish! Everything including the pasta is homemade by the 70+ year old nonna and served by her son Carlos. Very reasonably priced can recommend the ravioli, bolognaise, garlic bread and terimasu (best I have ever had). Yes it's not a fancy restaurant and built on to a house but who cares when the food is so good and the service and passion is ever present. Highly recommend everyone try this place as Nonna is elderly and her delicious cooking won't be around forever!

Great value. Just the 2 of us 12th july 2013. the veal saltimbucca,my partner had andthe porterhouse i tried were superb. carlo explains all to perfection. and so well priced. (about $60 WITH wine and beer.

Yes, the building and decor is dated. But the service is brilliant. Friendly in an old fashioned way. They care about your experience meal, it's not just a job for them. AND THE FOOD!!! The best pasta this side of Italy. Definitely worth the drive.

Stoped in for lunch with the family in between our children's ballet concerts. The service was great and so was the food. All the dishes ordered were home made and tasted amazing. Our kids are fussy eaters, but demolished the lasagne. Great location also, with being tucked away from the hussle of Moorabool Street.