Absolutely the best pizza I have tasted on this continent and in Europe and have tried a lot of pizzas on my travels. Base is perfect, not charcoal. Ingredients are fresh, not overy cheesy. Had the gamberi and potato pizza. Atmosphere is great, probably not long before they move into bigger premises..
Even though its location is underneath blocks of fairly pedestrian units don't let that put you off. Had my foodie friend not 'insisted' we visit I would have not bothered. I always get excited when someone insists that you have to try food, it usually sets the tone for a great night. I was not disappointed. The staff is unashamedly Italian, they look great, move fast and listen patiently to recommendations before politely correcting pronunciations and then with a nod they leave returning very quickly with your order.
The food is authentic Italian, on the menu it explains that they will not serve Pineapple and other rules that exist to reinforce the integrity of the menu. Good on them! It is so annoying when restaurants water down their culinary standards. The pastas are exceptional and pizza well priced and well worth it. It is busy and a bit loud, but after all it is a Pizzeria and that is the atmosphere you would expect.
This place is a gem tucked in the least interesting part of Balmain. I wonder how long it will be before its food and atmosphere prompts a move. Alfresco would be magic.....
Being a lover of pizza I had to check this place out after being recommended by a fellow food lover. This place is awesome. After being to alot of good pizza places in Sydney this definitely ranks up there one of the best.
Fresh Italian ingredients, good prices and no corkage on byo.. what more could you want! Best pizza's to go for ... potato with Italian sausage and rosemary is divine... the calzone is always good and the bruscetta is fresh and bursting with flavour. Love this place ... keep up the good work.
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the_stomache_rules_the mind -
See my reviews 9, 14 March 2008
Overall
Recommended
Food 9
Ambience 6
Service 8
Value 8
Reasonable price for the quality, $90 for 3 special pizzas and a house salad, which filled four of us. Noisy but child friendly. Pizzas as good as SMH GFG said.
Wow! Italy without the airfares or the attitude. At last, an alternative to Haberfield. This is damn close to the real thing. Sensational ingredients, fabulous dough, stone baked pizza's are brilliant. Not big on the nutella thing but my daughter loved it. More of a cafe than a restaurant, the staff are friendly, quick with the good humour and a smile. Service was a tad slow but otherwise all good. We'll be back.
Speedy service, and the food is quite nice, (watch the Pizza de la casa-- the sausage is pretty spicey!!. I have to say that any restaurant that does not have a toilet is a CAFE. They give you a huge spoon with a key attached, and you have to walk down the road to the toilets at the back of some offices. It took some finding, and if it was pouring with rain, it would be a problem. 2 x Bruschetta + garlic bread + 2 x pizzas + 1 calzone + 1 pasta + soft drinks came to about $170 for 5 adults and 1 child.
Not the best pizza in Sydney, but a good attempt. Loved the authentic Italian staff/service, as well as the no corkage policy - wish there was more of that in Sydney!
The nutella calzone (as previously mentioned in reviews) is a must-do for anyone wanting a nutella and almond overload. Book early, the place fills to capacity - with seating packed maybe a tad close to other diners - but an enjoyable evening.
Great pizza with a good traditional Italian feel. I would recommend to anyone. Service was great and although it was loud once the place filled up, it was still enjoyable.
Expensive salads. Can I just have chili? does every Italian restaurant have to be only chili oil? not even spicy. The pasta can't have been that good, it literally took about 3 minutes to come out but lovely flavours nonetheless.
Bad outdoor chairs. if you've got approval for alfresco, then why not go all out and do something which is going to leave an impression on people like myself who have to be careful of leaning the wrong angle lest the flimsy stool give way.
Poor service, but that's what you get when you only budget for cheap student labour.
Alas, the pizza would likely make me come back, maybe this is what happens in Rome...