The closure of Italian diner Rosetta left a boot-shaped hole at Crown Melbourne. Johnny Di Francesco (of Gradi Crown, 400 Gradi and 90 Secondi) has stepped in to fill it, opening Di Francesco Cucina on the casino’s ground floor in October 2024.

The menu is nostalgic, with a heavy Roman influence. Start with antipasti like prosciutto and burrata, and choose between pasta, pinsa (Roman-style pizza; oval-shaped with a soft center) and secondi including eight-hour slow cooked beef.

Di Francesco Cucina is open now.