Gradi Crown Casino

Shop 25, 8 Whiteman Street,

Southbank 3006

http://www.400gradi.com.au/

Everyone knows 400 Gradi. It skyrocketed to fame overnight by snatching the award of Best Pizza in the World from 600 other competitors, and in Italy no less. And next thing I know, they’ve opened up a huge 200-seater branch in Crown, with another to come in Essendon. Choosing not to challenge the queues at the original location, we made for the crown branch instead. 

Gradi Crown is a pizzeria, with a pair of bronzed wood-fire ovens to show for it. But instead of the warm intimacy of nonna’s kitchen, this is set up like fine dining, complete with the unabashed glamour of crown. The effect was somewhat ruined by the fact that service was scattered and disjointed, though in all fairness they had only been open for less than a week at this point, and I’ve no doubt that this is a problem that will be fixed with time.

Anyway. Despite having arrived just past 6 on Wednesday, the only 2 seater available was in the pizzeria section of the restaurant, under the proviso that we’ll be out within the hour. We were seated swiftly, wine lists were handed out, and pizzas were promised to be in our mouths within 15 minutes of ordering (my words not theirs). 

Given the large deli section we walked past on our way in, we couldn’t resist starting our meal off with a smorgasbord of cheeses and meats. I like the option of choosing your serving size, giving us the opportunity to try a wider variety of smoked, cured, and aged goods, all plated up on a brittle lavosh cracker drizzled in rosemary oil. 

Bufaletto (Taleggio) ($8.5, 25g)

The Bufaletto (Taleggio) ($8.5, 25g) was an easy choice for me, being extremely fond of soft white cheeses. It was creamy and velvety, with the distinctly fruity taste characteristic of taleggio cheese, and a hint of ripe mustiness at the end.

Asiago ($5, 25g)

The Asiago ($5, 25g) was cut from a different block of cheese entirely – literally and metaphorically. Sweet and waxy, but surprisingly mild, it was a lot mellower than its texture would suggest.

Proscuitto Cotto d'Abruzzo ($5, 25g)

`

The Proscuitto Cotto d’Abruzzo ($5, 25g) was less than impressive. Not only did it look like ham, but it didn’t taste much different either, except perhaps with longer fibres. For those who were expecting fat-streaked Italian prosciutto, don’t be fooled! 

NdujaCalabra ($4.5, 25g)

The NdujaCalabra ($4.5, 25g) was a foray into unfamiliar culinary territory. During my research I had confirmed that it was a sausage, but I failed to realise that it was in fact a spreadable sausage. Thus, we found ourselves served with pieces of crusty bread, smeared with a fiery-looking paste. And it was indeed spicy as the waiter had warned, tasting of smoke, pork fat, and chilli peppers.

Margherita Verace ($21)

But really, we were here for the best pizza in the world, and first impressions were good indeed. The Margherita Verace ($21) was hands-down the most delicious pizza I’ve ever been lucky enough to eat, the creamy pockets of buffalo mozzarella  melting into the tomato sugo, sun-ripened to equal measures of sweetness of acidity. 

Margherita Verace ($21)

And the base was pure magic. Despite being just millimetres thick and having sat around waiting for me to take photos, the base still managed to be both crisp yet pliant. The experience culminated at the burnished, puffy crust, and one bite took me straight through the crisp exterior to the fluffy, chewy middle, flavoured with just a dash of salt. It was sheer perfection.

Verdure Grigliate ($13)

It’s a shame I couldn’t say the same about the Verdure Grigliate ($13), aka roast vegetables. Though the freshness of the fennel and baby carrots weren’t to be faulted, their sweetness brought out by a scattering of sea salt, the serving size was beyond absurd. It should be glad that the pizza was around to cover its buttocks.

My meal actually brought to mind one I had some time back at DOC. But whereas at DOC I hated the pizza and adored the sides, it was the opposite case with Gradi. The deli selection was average, the roast vegetables were atrocious, but the pizza shone brightly enough to cast its glow over the entire meal. I will definitely come back, especially given how convenient the location is, but you’ll never see me with anything that isn’t pizza, that’s for sure.

Rating: 12/20 – overall.

Rating: 15.5/20 – pizza only.

This rating reflects my personal experience at the time of visit. 

Kaprica

19 Lincoln Sq South 

Carlton, VIC

I’ve always been glad to live in a multicultural city, and even more so when I began this food blogging biz. But a part of me has always wondered – what if I was eating the ‘fake’ versions of all the delicious foods on offer around the world? Like that time in China where my grandparents bought me what they thought, honest to god, was real pizza. Except it had corn and frankfurts on it.

No, really. That's the restaurant.

After a couple trips overseas, I decided that what we have over here in terms of Japanese and Malaysian food is pretty good, ramen aside. And when I heard from a co-worker who just got back from Italy that she likes the pizzas at Kaprica just as much as what she had abroad, I was stoked. 

The vibe at Kaprica is to die for. Lazy jazz played in the background of an old warehouse, which has since been converted to a broodingly seductive dining room. We’re in Italy, no doubt about it. And not just any part of Italy – the bohemian part for sure. 

Marinated Olives ($7)

A bowl of Marinated Olives ($7) with a side of good bread works for me the same way wine works for other people, transitioning my day smoothly from work to relaxation. These dark olives were rich and bitter, immersed in a marinade that’s aromatic with garlic, but could’ve done with more citrus. 

Margherita ($10, 10 inch)

I’ll get straight to the point here – the Margherita ($10, 10 inch) is marvellous. The toppings were thrown about with joyful abandon, the fresh basil leaves, pockets of cheese, and ripe tomato paste the only garments the wafer- base needed. 

Salsiccia ($14, 10 inch)

A little more adorned was the Salsiccia ($14, 10 inch), a sausage pizza garnished with lively onion slivers, chunks of pork and fennel sausage that complemented instead of dominated, and (boldly) whole slices of chilli. Scattered on top was shredded parsley, its fresh aroma freed by the heat of the pizza.

I can easily say that these are some of the best pizzas I’ve had the pleasure of eating, and whilst I do like the margherita at Firechief more, there is something to be said about paying a tenner as opposed to more than twice that much. Plus the sausage pizza was plain amazing, and I’ve heard marvellous things about the salmon pizza too. Hidden in plain sight, Kaprica is a gem of a find, even if I wasn’t the one who found it.

Rating: 15/20 – kaptivating.

This rating reflects my personal experience at the time of visit.

Lucky Coq

179 Chapel St 
Windsor, VIC 3181

http://www.luckycoq.com.au/

You know why the Lucky Coq is lucky? Because it is untouchable by inflation (knock on wood). For as long as I can remember, Lucky Coq, along with its sister, Bimbo Deluxe, has supplied the masses with pizzas at the unbeatable price of $4, almost all day, almost every day. Check their website for details, but I vouch that the $4 special is on about 80% of the time. 

Lucky Coq is an amply spaced bar, the squishy couches bathed in a red glow. It’s a lot more sophisticated than Bimbo Deluxe, though still far from slick; if it’s unusual, you’re likely to see it hanging on a wall here. The menu is a dream, consisting of a range of gourmet pizzas, hot dogs, and salads for under $10. Better still, they’re all included in the $4 special. 

Salasiccia Festa ($9.9)

Unfortunately it hadn’t hit happy hour yet, but we were hungry enough to pay full price for our Salsiccia Festa ($9.9) pizza. It came out hot and flavoursome, a handful of quality ingredients on a crisp base. The chunks of lamb sausage, sweetened with leek, were beautiful against a backdrop of vegetables and rosemary.

The Bravo ($6.95)

Chris wouldn’t let me get the German sausage, which came with sauerkraut (or as I found out, liberty cabbage as it was called by the Americans during the war). Instead we had the The Bravo ($6.95), which consisted of a slightly dry but flavourful wagyu sausage squished into a bun, slathered in tomato sauce and mustard. I happily monopolised the pickles. 

Chocolate Pizza ($6)

Chocolate Pizza ($6)

We finished our meal with a Chocolate Pizza ($6). It had chocolate, it had mascarpone, and it sat on a crisp bread base. What could go wrong? The answer: absolutely nothing.

Rating: 13.5/20 – bountiful.

This rating reflects my personal experience at the time of visit. 

DOC Pizza & Mozzarella

295 Drummond St 
Carlton, VIC 3053

http://www.docgroup.net/

It’s exam time, and nothing cuts through the stress like a good meal. On a chilly Friday evening during swot vac, Chris and I found ourselves at DOC Pizza and Mozzarella Bar.

For one of the most highly regarded pizzerias in Melbourne, DOC is surprisingly homely and has a great family-feel to it. The service was perfunctory and a little hard to come by even when quiet, but the waiters with gorgeous Italian accents almost made up for it. 

Bresaola with Fior di Latte ($16.9)

It comes as no surprise that a place toting itself as a mozzarella bar would have an extensive cheese menu. On this particular night, we sampled the Bresaola with Fior di Latte ($16.9). Five minutes later, out came a wooden paddle carrying shavings of air-cured beef, and milky balls of mozzarella the colour of pale butter.  The mild creaminess of the cheese was gently brought out by the rich slivers of salted beef, and the sweet oiliness of the basil. It was pure, unadulterated joy. 

Pizza Capricciosa Nuova ($19.9)

Then there was a bit of a wait, but eventually we got out hands on the Pizza Capricciosa Nuova ($19.9), a classic concoction of ham, mushroom, artichoke and olives, on a base of tomato and mozzarella. On the up side, the cheese stretched on forever and was pretty much heaven on dough, and the serving size was generous too. 

Pizza Capricciosa Nuova ($19.9)

Unfortunately, the center of the pizza was very soggy; in fact the entire pizza felt rather... wet. Chris even commented on how weird it was to have pizza drip down his face as he ate, and he’s not a messy eater – not by far. 

Mixed Gelati ($9.9)

Feeling a little limp (see what I did there) from the subpar pizza, I ordered the Mixed Gelati ($9.9), wanting something sweet to finish our slightly disappointing meal with.

It was incredible.

I had never tasted such an amazing gelato in my life. It was like having sweet kernels of young pistachio, icy home-made lemonade, and dark chocolate fudge transfigured (by Professor McGonagall) into a frozen treat with the silken texture of cream. I had been feeling very deflated from the pizza, but the gelato wiped the slate clean.  

Our dinner at DOC was a bit of a contrasting experience. Our starter was excellent and the dessert was astronomical, but the main event wasn’t up to scratch. It’s still very popular with the crowds, with the al fresco seating filled up even on a freezing winter night, but if you ask me, the mozzarella really is the glue that holds the place together. And the gelato, of course.

Rating: 15/20 – best. gelato. ever.

This rating reflects my personal experience at the time of visit. And the number of hairs Chris has on his fingers. 

Pizza Religion

493 Tooronga Rd 

Hawthorn East, VIC 3123

www.pizzareligion.com.au

Now that the weather is as crisp as autumn apples, I’ve once again begun to crave the heartier things life has to offer. Pasta, curry, noodles, and of course, a good pizza. And that’s where Pizza Religion comes in. 

Ever since I got a recommendation from Sarah that pretty much went ‘OHMIGAWD MING HAVE YOU BEEN TO PIZZA RELIGION?’, I’ve wanted to go. Except it seemed like such a pain to get to, being in the middle of suburban Melbourne and not really close to any trains. Then I realised that there was a tram that goes right by, so I got on that (literally and metaphorically) in a jiffy.

Pizza Religion is a humble place. It’s a little bit cramped and gloomy in the outer section but then we walked through a narrow walkway and all of a sudden, we were in a beautiful courtyard. The heater was going, the rain was bouncing off the clear plastic sheets, and we could smell the pizzas in the oven – it was perfect. 

Chorizo Pizza ($18)

Chorizo, prawns, and jalapenos? Sold. Except Chris wasn’t so thrilled about the jalapenos, but I managed to convince him that he could just pick them off. The Chorizo Pizza ($18) was a vibrant take on a traditional sausage pizza, the sweet prawns and chunky, piquant chorizo melding together perfectly on a crispy base. It was also a little bit spicy thanks to the jalapenos and chipotle sauce but, it’s the kind of spicy that tingles the lips and makes you want to take another bite. 

Mushroom Pizza ($17)

I also had my eyes on the Mushroom Pizza ($17), which has already been raved about by many bloggers. I absolutely loved this; the mushrooms were dark and earthy, complemented by the sweetness of the onion and balsamic, and a faint underscore of musty Talleggio cheese. It was the perfect autumn pizza, heady with the flavours of a good harvest.

I really, really enjoyed Pizza Religion. The pizzas were wholesome, fresh and rather exciting, and the courtyard on a rainy afternoon was comfortable like sitting in your pyjamas with a cup of tea. I sincerely hope the people who live in the vicinity know just how lucky they are. 

Rating: 15/20 – church of the mushroom pizza.

The rating reflects my personal experience at the time of visit.

Garden Tuscany

32 Young St 

Moonee Ponds, VIC 3039

http://www.gardentuscany.com/

I could not believe my eyes. I was walking down a quiet Melbourne laneway paved with cobblestones, but then we ducked through a sliding wooden door, and all of a sudden I was possibly no longer in Melbourne, and almost definitely no longer in 2013.  

Being in Garden Tuscany was like stepping into a fairy tale. It was an indoor garden that spoke of bygone civilisations with its brick floors and rough-hewn stone walls. Piles of firewood were stacked in the corners, and the walls were adorned with carvings and oil lamps. There was even a huge wood fire oven in the corner that was actually used to make pizza.

Skewers of Cherry Tomato, Bocconcini, Fresh Basil, and Balsamic Glaze ($7.5 a la carte)

Under some gentle guidance, we opted for the Tuscan Sharing Menu($27pp), which gave the two of us a starter, 2 pizzas, and 2 desserts to share. 10 minutes later, we were snacking on a plate of Skewers of Cherry Tomato, Bocconcini, Fresh Basil, and Balsamic Glaze ($7.5 a la carte). This is a classic combination and it’s beautiful when done right, with firm cherry tomatoes that exploded in the mouth, mild, doughy balls of cheese, and basil leaves just crushed enough for the scent to wash out in waves. 

Chorizo Pizza ($14 a la carte)

We were both keen for the Chorizo Pizza ($14 a la carte), and it was a good choice. The sausage was generously sliced, housing pockets of gooey fior di latte and sprinkled with oregano. I couldn’t taste much of the roasted capsicum but it was still delicious, especially on a thicker, crispy base that could hold the weight of the toppings without being heavy. 

Vegetariana Pizza ($14 a la carte)

A Vegetariana Pizza ($14 a la carte) is yummy, but it’s even yummier when it’s loaded up with mozzarella. This was a homely pizza, the mushrooms and capsicum covered in a sheet of stretchy cheese, occasionally interspersed with an olive or two. 

Artisan Chocolate Brownie ($10 a la carte)

We couldn’t go past the Artisan Chocolate Brownie ($10 a la carte) for dessert, and this was a beautifully flourless chocolate slice, studded with macadamia and almonds. It was comforting yet indulgent – a spoonful of warm brownie for a spoonful of cool ice cream. 

Frangelico Dark Hot Chocolate Affogato ($10 a la carte)

Frangelico Dark Hot Chocolate Affogato ($10 a la carte)

When it comes to Frangelico Dark Hot Chocolate Affogato ($10 a la carte), you really can’t lose. This is the adult’s version of the childhood drink – a jug of frothy hot chocolate thickened with ice cream, and a tipple of hazelnut liqueur added to give it an alcoholic tingle.

Garden Tuscany is unlike anywhere I have ever been before, and I’m not just talking about the fantastical decor. Stella, Sam and Lance run the restaurant flawlessly; they make you feel like you’re in their home as a treasured friend, and they always have a moment to stop for a chat. It’s neither the place for a gourmet pizza nor a huge feed; rather, it’s a place you go on a Friday night when you want a home away from home. This really is as romantic as pizza gets.

Rating: 13.5/20 – cheesy romance.  

The rating reflects my personal experience at the time of visit. / Sweet and Sour Fork dined as a guest of Garden Tuscany