I adore this pokey little restaurant on Rathdowne Street, with the neon sign and wood paneled walls. Yes, there are literally hundreds of other Italian restaurants in and around Carlton, some good, some bad, but La Contadina Bistro & Bar may be the most atmospheric and is right up there in terms of authenticity. The interior of La Contadina is a sight to behold. Every possible inch of space is covered with pictures, flowers and even a faux-David sculpture. The proprietors are clearly proud of their Italian heritage! The food at La Contadina is authentically home-style and very, very filling. I’ve been here a couple of times now, but my order always tends to involve the gnocchi, which is made in-house and is perfectly fluffy. The bruschetta is also a really winner. La Contadina also have a fantastic selection of local and imported wines — most are reasonably priced. I say skip the trash Italian on Lygon and head out here — so much better!