“The best flourless chocolate cake ever” reads the descriptor against the chocolate nemesis cake on the dessert menu at relaxed Italian eatery Bucci.

Taken from London’s famous The River Cafe, the cocoa treat is more like a mousse than a cake, made of simply dark chocolate, eggs, butter and sugar. Is it the best ever? That might be stretching things a little, but would you fight your dinner date for the last spoonful, certainly.

It’s simplicity like this that is at the root of all Bucci’s fare. From share-style dishes like pumpkin arancini, stringy with melted mozzarella to pastas including ravioli with paper-thin, al dente noodles wrapped around yielding braised goat shoulder or mains such as a classic cotoletta Alla Milanese finished with garlic and lemon butter.

Wines — mostly Italian — are expertly paired to the food, with a range of premium varieties under Coravin. While classic cocktails, Italian and local beers, spirits, aperitifs and digestifs form the remainder of the comprehensive drinks list.

Opening onto Fortitude Valley’s thriving James St through bi-fold windows, Bucci blends an indoor/outdoor feel that channels Italy while being distinctly Queensland.

Exceptional dish (or dishes): Chocolate nemesis cake