A new Italian bar in Fitzroy is dishing up one of the tastiest mortadella sandwiches in town – and that’s no baloney.

What started as a pandemic pop-up quickly grew to become a cult favourite for its hot Italian sandwiches. But when restrictions eased, the demand for the sandwiches did not, and owners Zoe Rubino, Emilio Scalzo and Josh Fry decided that Rocco’s Bologna Discoteca deserved a permanent home.

Rocco’s 2.0 has since slotted into a new site on Gertrude St. The menu has expanded significantly, but the bologna sandwich remains the star.

The namesake sarnie is filled with thin slices of mortadella, which have been fried on a hot griddle and stacked with a pickled relish and provolone cheese. A picante version comes with a smear of Calabrian chilli paste.

Owner Emilio Scalzo, whose family hails from Sicily, confirms that his love for baloney was a big inspiration for the venue. “I’ve grown up whacking mortadella on a piece of crusty bread –  that was basically my childhood,” he says.

Another surprise hit off the menu is the veal tongue tonnato sandwich. Inspired by the Northern Italian dish vitello tonnato, Rocco’s version is made from fried veal tongue layered with tuna mayonnaise and crispy capers.

“We really try and embrace those offaly dishes,” Scalzo says. “On our late-night menu, we do tripe, we do another tongue dish, and to be honest, people come for it. It’s really one of the few places around Fitzroy that offers those kinds of different cuts.”

In the evening, the venue transforms from sandwich shop to trattoria, with a selection of housemade pasta dishes and a bistecca alla fiorentina. A soft serve machine churns out fresh flavours every week, from pistachio to limoncello with torched meringue.

After 10pm on Fridays and Saturdays, the sandwiches return. Party-goers can end their night in the best possible way – with a cheesy meatball sub.

Designed by Studio Co & Co, the two-storey venue takes its inspiration from old-school Lygon St trattorias.

“The team wanted the venue to feel fun, warm and like it had been there forever, with lots of nods to nonna’s house,” Scazlo says.

Downstairs, an open kitchen and bar area has been decked out in honey timber with curtain-covered windows and ornate Italianate features throughout. There’s also an ivy-covered courtyard for sipping chianti out back.

Upstairs is Vince’s bar, named after Scazlo’s old man, as well as a dining room and ball room. The back bar is stocked with housemade Italian liqueurs, including a finger lime limoncello, green almond and wild fennel amaro, and peach and rosemary grappa.

For something more familiar, you can also get a longneck VB in an ice bucket.

“We just hope guests and staff have fun in the space, and that Rocco’s triggers nostalgic memories of Italian trattorias from Melbourne’s past,” Scazlo says.

Rocco’s Bologna Discoteca
15 Gertrude St, Fitzroy
03 9046 2000
Wed & Sun: 12pm – 4pm, Thurs – Sat: 12pm – Late
roccosbologna.com

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