Il Solito Posto is off Collins Street in an alleyway and it has a casual bistro and a more restaurant dining room. We arrived slightly early for our restaurant reservation and were given two seats at the end of the bar to sit and wait. The bistro seemed quite buzzy and busy and at just after 6pm we were shown to our table.
Service was friendly and capable. Wait staff were confident and knew what they were doing although it did take a little time to order drinks and get menus. I guess it's a leisurely pace they work to as opposed to turning the tables round.
The atmosphere in Il Solito Posto is pleasant. The underground dining room with the walls of wine is cosy and very Italian enoteca like. It feels classy and is a place that is calm and relaxing and conducive to conversation. It's just across the alleyway from The Kitchen Cat and is my much preferred choice if I had to compare the two.