Tonight, as suggested by Dianne Smith, we went to an Italian place called Catalano's. I read the review before the trip and it was all superb. Can it be too good to be true? Reasonably priced? Big portion? Nice service? That is just too good, it is slightly suspicious...
We went there about 45 minutes earlier thinking that it would take some time to find the place. It is situated in albany highway, vic park, btw. But it turns out 342 bus takes us right outside the restaurant. It was quite a large restaurant and chicly decorated, i don't think i would normally go in there as I would presume the price to be quite expensive. And once you go in, all eyes are on you as we quickly discover we are like the only asians here? omg... But there was one customer who answered our questioning eyes with 'This place is the best'. The waitresses are really nice... Since previous reviews mentioned that they have large portion size, we decided to share. That way, we get to taste more varieties of food. And you'd better reserve your seatings as well as arrive earlier to avoid the dinner crowd coz it can get really really crowded... and noisy. We practically had to kinda half shout to hear each other over a table that accommodates 6 ppl.
Catalano's Italian restaurant
For appetizer, we had cajun scallops. It is basically crumbed fresh scallops with a sauce which taste like mayo with slight lemon juice and chili. One bite into my scallops and I am in LOVE. omg... the scallops tastes so sweeeeett... and freeesh... and the crumbs on the outside forms a nice cocoon to encase these sweetness...

Cajun Scallops
For mains, we ordered Salmone fettucine, lasagne, cannelloni and veal scallopini. The veal scallopini is quite nice, I like the fries coz they made it themselves. Unlike those frozen fries, there is a different taste to it... it is simply nicer and less oily.

Veal scallopini
Salmone Fettucine is also nice... the cream mixed with the taste and smell of smoke salmon does not leave a fishy aftertaste. Eat that with a glass of Chardonnay white wine and it actually brings out a different flavour all together. Yummy... yummy...

Salmone fettucine
Aaaa... lasagne... Garfield's favourite food in the comic strip. This is nicely made, I heard once in masterchef sessions that a nicely made lasagne is not burnt; each layer is well cooked and when u cut into it, there is distinct layering... well, this is it! Nicely done... But it does look kinda like the cannelloni... lol...

lasagne

Cannelloni
For dessert, had bailey's cheesecake. According to the waitress recommendation (we asked for their recommendations a lot during placing orders coz we r spoilt for choices), we had bailey's cheesecake with cream and ice cream. The combination is wonderful. Although it is a cheesecake, it is not too sweet and the flavour of Baileys blend nicely with the cream, ice cream and slight dessicated coconut in the cake. It was a nice ending to a dinner.
Bailey's cheese cake with cream and vanilla ice cream
This place is really worth the trip, but I won't recommend it as a place for romantic candlelit dinner kinda theme. Preferably go as a group, so you can out-shout the other groups, lol... it can get really really noisy in there.