Mietta's Review
Over-looking Flinders St Station from the outside terrace, this Southbank restaurant offers great views and very good Italian food. A seamless change of ownership early in 2003 has had little effect on the running of this restaurant founded in 1990. The extensive wine list appears to be aimed at the expense account market. One of the best Southbank experiences, but not cheap.

Other published opinions

Age Good Food Guide 2010 Score: 13.5/20 "From its grand piano to its Yarra-facing balcony, this is a fine-diner that turns on the charm. Waiters ask if you'd like to start with parmigiano reggiano, grissini and olives as if it's a fait accompli and maybe even complimentary"

Age Good Food Guide 2009 Score: 13.5/20 "From the grand piano embellishing the foyer to the lavish greeting at reception, there's a sense of occasion about a visit to one of Southgate's stayers. The airs and graces are not stifling, though"

Age Good Food Guide 2008 Score: 14.5/20 "For more than a decade, Scusami has enjoyed a reputation as a sophisticated Italian restaurant, specialising in the finest ingredients"

Herald Sun Bob Hart, 10-02-07 "Scusami exploded into action in its prime position when Southgate opened in the bleak early 1990s. Then, classical Italian food was all the go here. And very good it was, too: business boomed. But now, after some years under fastidious new management and with a top chef with classical French leanings at the helm, the food has evolved into something even more ambitious."

The Age Good Food Guide 2006 score 15/20, 1 Hat "There are other Italian options at Southgate, but Scusami has more switched-on service and an elegantly tinkling fountain. It also has a bar area with a more rustic menu, and is open for Italian-accented breakfasts."

Gourmet Traveller 2006 Australian Restaurant Guide "The template created for this up-market Italian restaurant back in the 90s has proven durable. The formula here is a modern approach to Italiana, focusing on top-shelf artisan ingredients, with a thick whack of deferential service. And it works."

The Age Good Food Guide 2005 score 15/20 One Hat "AT Southgate's enduring home of high-end Italian hospitality, everything has changed, yet it remains the same. Despite new owners and, more importantly, a new chef and team, Scusami's menu and identity remain very much in the mould established by former head chef Simon Humble."

Gourmet Traveller 2005 Restaurant Guide "An astoundingly successful, and nearly always busy, high-end Italian restaurant, today's Scusami sticks to the reliable Latin formula of previous operators and chefs."

The Age, Agenda, 23/5/04,John Lethlean,'Scusami has a new chef and owners,though you might be excused for not noticing.It's business as usual,and business is very nice,thank you.A busy place indeed.From a cosy inside table you can watch the river over better-than-average Italian food at higher-than-average prices.That view comes at a premium.Desserts recommended.'

The Age Good Food Guide 2004-2 hats

Gourmet Traveller Restaurant Guide Australia 2004, 1 Black Star, Excellent wine list,'little corner of Italy overlooking the Yarra...some of the finest Italian dishes in the country.Prices are reasonably high, but then Scusa Mi does employ only the best ingrediants...Service is knowledgeable and attentive.'

Herald Sun, Weekend, Eat, Bob Hart, 7/6/2003

Herald Sun, Sunday Magazine, Eating Out, Sally, Fisher, 2003

Herald Sun, City Style, 22/7/03, Stephen Downes, Score 12/20

The Age, Epicure, Restaurants, John Lethlean, 23/7/02. Score 16.5/20

The Age, Sunday Life, Eat Streets, 31.3.02

The Age, SundayLife ,17/9/2000, John Hindle, Score 4 stars

The Wine Magazine June/July 2000