Review: Pizza E Birra – Melbourne
Words and Images by Daria Kill-Smith
Pizza E Birra shimmers brightly at the Fitzroy St junction of Canterbury Rd and Grey Street St in St Kilda. A black and white, 1950’s deli-style shop frontage of glass bay-windows showcases a rear wall of wine laden shelves above the bar, with a massive black and white collage over the kitchen pass that celebrates the immigrants of the time. Our bench seat by a corner window gave an unimpeded view of the constant activity on Fitzroy St, along with the comings and goings of restaurant patrons – adults and kids alike, as well as the staff knuckling down to business keeping patrons well fed and watered.
An extensive menu ensured any craving could be met, and included antipasti, salads and of course, pizza – with traditional Italian flavours including imported Buffalo mozzarella, aged pecorino, and gorgonzola. Italian pork sausage, 36 hour-cooked Veal Osso buco, and local seafood made up the pasta selection, while pizzas were topped with porcini mushrooms and black truffle; zucchini, tomato, and aromatic basil; green apple and chilli. Salads of rocket, parmesan and pear, and a warmed asparagus, spinach and almond rounded off the mains. A selection of gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan dishes were available, plus a dessert pizza of Raffaello, gelato and coconut.
Mark, the manager, ensured all dishes were delivered promptly to our table, with the assistance of the capable service and kitchen staff.
With planned works to bring the restaurant back to its former glory, it is expected that Pizza E Birra will remain a popular destination for St Kilda locals.
60 Fitzroy Street
St Kilda
VIC 3182
Phone: (03) 9537 3465
**Daria was a guest of Pizza E Birra – thanks to co-owner Ly Nguyen
Connie Lambeth
The Australia Times News
Editor GOURMET – Food/Wine/Events
connie.lambeth@theaustraliatimes.com.au
Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/tatgourmetmag
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