400 Gradi - Essendon

Terrible food. Over priced. Terrible service.
I was expecting high quality food. Being the prices were so high. Perhaps and Italian zest of flavour. I was mistakingly wrong. The service was terrible. Didn’t ask if we enjoyed it. To get their attention was another thing and would quickly run off once you would ask a question.
The entre calamari was a rip off $35 for the most tiniest low quality meal ever. I have an small food allergy so asked to make a gnocchi with peeled tomatoes basil and boccinici. I got the smallest bowl of gnocchi doused in oil. 1 basil leaf. And 2 halves cherry tomato. Bland as hell and I could’ve made it myself for third of the price. At this point still hungry. The caffe latte was also disgusting I left that too and we ordered a Nutella calzone. It came with a melted tiny scoop of Icecream and hardly any Nutella.
Inedible food. Totally overpriced $179. I’m disgusted. I’m Italian and I know Italian food. But this was just terrible. Won’t be back. Didn’t impress me. Save your money and go somewhere else.
Oh forgot to mention. The air conditioner was on when it was 7 degrees outside. My whole body was like ice and I couldn’t move. Totally cold. Asked waiter to turn it down and I just had the look on his face that I bothered him

I attended the restaurant on 23/06/21 and had a dinner with my friend.
I had a pasta, which according to the menu was $18.50, my friend also had a pasta and we had some bred with tomato as appetizer plus one diet coke and blood orange soft drink.
Upon leaving I was distracted talking to my friend and forgot to take a receipt. Upon checking it couple of days latter, I was shocked to discover that I was charged $109.00 for a meal that should not cost more than $70.00. I called the management and I was assured they will look into it and let me know. After a week of not hearing back, I called back again and made further inquiries.
The lady I spoke with said, the bill was correct and the prices on menu are different as I had to pay extra to eat in, which does not make any sense as delivery costs extra.
Anyway, I requested a copy of the bill to be sent as I never received the original, just to be assured I will be receiving it shortly. THIS NEVER HAPPENED.

On the top of all that, they messed up my order 2 times, despite explaining clearly pasta carbonara, they brought bolognaise the first time, and the second time I have no idea what that was. They also messed up my friend's order too. Not even an apology, just that the waitress is new.

Pasta carbonara was nothing special, to be completely honest I was really disappointed as I could not even eat a half of it.
All in all, horrible experience.

I would give it a rating "0" if I could, but unfortunately that is not possible.

STAY AWAY, BILL PADDING AND UNPROFESSIONAL AND DISRESPECTFUL MANAGEMENT.

Usually I love Gradi pizza but this time we got such a soggy pizza it was hard to eat. Overall the other Gradi I've visited tend to serve amazing food. This particular restaurant didn't on the day but I'd give it another try.

Staff was fine, good and productive. However been waiting to come to this so called amazing “gradi” I have been recommended by so many.pizza was so so overpriced soggy and cold. Everything about this restaurant screams I want to look fancy but really is just a Kmart version of carasallos in moonee ponds. Overall staff was really friendly and nice, food not so nice. Would not come back maybe only if someone was shouting.

It pains me to give this restaurant 1 star. We booked and arrived tonight for dinner only to be left standing in the doorway for more than 15 minutes. No one approached us, no person to accept our booking or take us to a table. We walked out, angry and stating we would never return. Don't be in the hospitality industry if you don't know how to treat your patrons. Also note it was not that busy they were just disorganised. Either put on more staff or have someone full time at your reception/check in area who doesn't leave their post to spend 15 minutes wiping glasses. Grr.

This is the 4th time I have been there and they have always been friendly, great service and great food. Thankyou

Got a say one of the best you've ever try.delicious in every bite.
Bit pricey but absolutely delicious.small space with very friendly staff and fresh gourmet food.

It's good service if I count tablespoons maybe 8 tablespoons of risotto on a plate when you consider rice and pasta isvery cheap, for a glass of house wine $14, I think it's a bit too much, risotto $35 with mushroom and herbs, no chicken or other type of maybe seafood is very difficult to park for Saturday night.food was tasty nice, I don't think I will go back again 4 people cost us $188 one beer two glasses of wine and one soft drink.hope management consider the amount of food is worth it thank you 400 Gradi- Essendon

Service was good, pretty attentive, unfortunately food was average. Happy to pay for good quality food (like when we go to Cecconis) but $38 for a small bowl of pasta with hardly any seafood and not much flavour (even after adding chilli oil and salt to try bring it to life) is pretty disappointing.
Pizza was nice, nothing out of this world.
We were all still hungry afterwards.
Good hot chips, thats about it.

Stuffed mushrooms where frozen
$35 slice of lasagna was also still frozen
Soggy wood fired pizza was also great

AMAZING! On all levels, absolutely amazing! Pizza's are delicious, the Carbonara is AUTHENTICALLY made and the staff have always been lovely! Very impressed!

Good food, good pizza.hopefully more drinks options can come in the future. Definitely recommend.

Food is great, service can be improved. It’s very busy but not enough staff to keep up. We were seated outdoor, seems to be left out and people are smoking nearby.

Starter was delicious but it came to a grinding halt after that.as soon as a table of 16 was seated next to us we were served late cold food which was not exactly what we ordered. All in all well over priced food for was under quality food & value. Never returning

The food when it come was nice. But one meal was missed and the waiter was very rude and said trust me we didnt miss the meal. Then later came and said the chef cant be goof looking and smart. This wad only after we went down and made a complaint.

Absolutely brilliant food on the function menu! Now our second time at Gradi Essendon for a family function and can't speak highly enough of the quality, presentation and quantity of food we received. The hospitality provided by the Venue Manager Armando has always been second to none. We will be back! Grazie Mille!

We drove all the way from Crown casino to Gradi Essendon for dinner. The meals and the service was great. The Manager Armando is very engaging, warm and friendly. Highly recommended.

We went there two nights ago and oh what beautiful comfort food for a weeknight! One of our favorites in Melbourne. Their pizzas are to die for. Loved the service and the experience. Can't wait to go again:)

I just moved to Essendon and this is my new go to restaurant! I had an amazing dinner last night. Luckily my partner booked a table because it was busy! The service was great though. I had the barramundi, cooked to perfection and very tasty, while my partner ordered the spaghetti with pesto and prawns.heaven! The manager suggested a beautiful Vermentino wine which complemented our meal so well. Great to see warm and knowledgeable staff. Keep it up.

Well i normally do not do review as if i like a place i just keep going back, but today i’ll take an exception because Gradi in Essendon deserve one as they made us feel special.
Saturday night, the restaurant was buzzing we walked in without booking at around 6.30pm, after a very bad day, we lost a dear friend and we were coming back from the funeral, the manager at the door told us that they where fully booked but we could have seat at the bar to wait till next table was available.
While seating at the bar the barman offered us a drink and with in 5 minutes me and my partner, got served two spritz, we order some entree, arancini and crochet, very nice as well.
While waiting at the bar, the manager organised a table for us, our waitress was a lovely french girl, i think Natalie was her name, her services was outstanding and the food was amazing, the all place is a vibrating venue with cool music, top food, nice and friendly staff and fantastic vibes.
After the entree i order the lamb while my husband chiose the rib eye, and i have to say. OMG it was amazing!
To top it up one of the manager that come to check how everything was, offered us a complimentary shot of sambuca with a caffe bin to cheers us up once we told him from where we were coming.
Thanks guys for making our day!
We will deftly be back!