two curly noodles

$$ Average Joe

Between the childhood nostalgia, generous Italian classics and that unforgettable lemon cake, Johnny, Vince & Sam’s more than lived up to the hype.

We’ve been hanging out to come here ever since we found out it was a real place. I mean, Johnny, Vince & Sam’s?! Created by the Sooshi Mango boys themselves?! Their comedy has always hit home for us, like straight to the heart and the kitchen table, with loud voices, bigger personalities, and food always (always!) involved. So when we locked in a trip to Melbourne, this was our pilgrimage. And honestly? From the second we walked through the door, it was like stepping into Nonna’s house… if Nonna had a licensing deal and a merch stand. The glasses, the tablecloths, the carpet, the Saxa salt, the wall panelling! We were already in love before we even ordered.

And the food?

Mamma mia.

Just wait.

We of course started with drinks… we loved the fact that we got our coca cola in glass bottles with a slice of lemon in the glasses, a total ode to European style. It’s the small things really.

We kicked things off with the slow-cooked beef meatballs and the eggplant parmigiana, because if you’re in an Italian restaurant and you don’t order meatballs… honestly, what are you even doing. The meatballs were soft, rich and swimming in a tomato sauce that tasted like it had been simmering all day while someone’s aunt yelled lovingly across the kitchen. The eggplant parmigiana was pure comfort, silky layers of eggplant, sauce and melted cheese that basically demanded a piece of bread nearby for mopping up every last drop. And don’t get me started on the bread… it was so good we’re not even going to talk about it here. The bread deserves its own dedicated section.

Next up were Angela’s Arancini, beautiful golden rice balls hiding a rich bolognese sugo in the centre, finished with grana Padano over the top. The outside had that perfect crisp; the inside was soft and creamy and then came the bolognese filling like a little flavour jackpot. Honestly, we could have happily ordered a second round and called it dinner.

Next up was Giuseppina’s Gnocchi, soft, pillowy homemade gnocchi swimming in a rich tomato sugo. The kind of dish that feels simple in the best possible way. Each bite was light, fluffy and coated in that deep, slow-cooked tomato sauce that tasted like it had been perfected over generations. Pure winter, rainy-day comfort. The sort of plate that makes the whole table go quiet for a minute.

We also tried Sam’s Spezzatino, rigatoni with a rich, slow-cooked beef ragu. Deep, hearty flavours and pasta that held onto every bit of that beautiful sauce.

Next up was Carmela’s Cotoletta, a parmesan-crusted veal schnitzel and easily one of our favourites. Golden, crispy and tender, with that delicious parmesan crust. After all the rich tomato sugo dishes we’d been enjoying, this felt like the perfect reset. A quick squeeze of lemon over the top and it was absolute magic. Don’t miss this one!

Okay. The moment has arrived. The bread. Specifically, the warm pieces of garlic focaccia. Soft, fluffy, golden thin crusty on the edges and full of garlicky goodness. The sort of bread where someone says “I’ll just have a small piece” and then somehow ends up eating three.

For dessert we decided we only had room to share one between us. We almost went with the Pav from Sharon de Neighbour… not just because it sounded delicious, but because we absolutely loved the name. But in the end, we chose something that sounded like a lighter finish to the meal: Cake from’a My Lemon Tree.

And wow… this turned out to be a total star of the night. A soft sponge cake layered with a custard-like lemon curd, topped with meringue and cream, light, bright (not too sweet, just the right tang) and perfectly balanced out such a rich meal. Honestly, it was one of the best restaurant desserts we’ve ever had.

By the end of the night, we felt like we’d stepped straight back into our childhoods, loud tables, big flavours and food that brings everyone together.

If we’re being honest, we went in expecting it might be more show than substance. With the Sooshi Mango connection, we thought the experience might lean more toward the spectacle (and a spectacle it was!). But we were very happy to be wrong. The food was generous, comforting and genuinely delicious, the kind of meal that reminds you why family cooking is so special.

We also loved the attention to detail. Everything had been thought through, right down to the Saxa salt on the tables, the old televisions and wall phones, and even the toilets recreated in the style of a 70s Greek Australian home. It all added to that feeling that you weren’t just in a restaurant, you’d stepped into a very familiar memory.

This will be one of those special meals we talk about for a long time, for sure.

Signing off from around the table,
Two Curly Noodles

The Curly Noodles Munch Factor Rating:

Nonna’s house vibes For the loud, nostalgic, slightly chaotic joy of it all.	🍜 🍜 🍜 🍜 🍜
Comfort level food Big flavours, generous plates and exactly what you hope for at a place like this.	🍜 🍜 🍜 🍜 🍜
Lemon cake glory For the dessert that stole the show and ended the night on a very high note.	🍜 🍜 🍜 🍜 🍜

🔗Johnny Vince & Sam’s Ristorante

📍 Johnny, Vince & Sam’s Ristorante is located at 306-308 Lygon St, Carlton in Melbourne, Victoria.