Six months ago I told you the tale of how I never really ‘cross the river’ in Melbourne. I was cocky, I have Carlton and Fitzroy in my ‘hood. I had little need to go to the dark south side. But the world is changing. Chapel street and its surrounds used to be the home of fashion, and other than some notable stalwarts of Melbourne dining, the incumbents were the cheap and cheerful franchises and tourist traps.
Then the girls arrived (Sally, Hannah and Tina – you know who I’m talking about) and restaurant royalty started claiming back the landscape. Now every time I read Broadsheet, I am forced to contemplate the need to change trains.
I have been watching photos from A25 Pizzeria snake across my Instagram feed for some time. Here was a hardcore pizza aficionado, Remo Nicolini (brother of Tony at Carlton’s DOC), doing some quirky fusion stuff. Would it work? When I was invited to try the new spring menu I didn’t think twice about the river crossing – as I wrote in my RSVP, “Pizza is (one of) my spirit food(s).”
As you enter A25 Pizzeria, Sofia Loren give you a smoldering look and reminds you that ‘Pizza is sexy’.
It sure is.
Over the next few hours we were treated to ten dishes from the new menu; ensuring that we most certainly did not feel sexy as we waddled out the door. But I’m getting ahead of myself.
The wine list is concise and filled with local and imported Italian varietals at affordable prices, including a couple of choices by the jug.
Let’s get started on the feast though
A little palate cleanser of blood oranges soaked with Campari
Bombolone di Parmiggiano
Doughnut holes filled with a creamy parmesan custard and then a tastebud stimulationg slightly salty sugar dusting. Way to start a dinner!
Anana e Mortadella
Grilled pineapple served with really lovely, balanced mortadella
Coniglio Fritto
Described as ‘KFR’, Kentucky Fried Rabbit. The coating was absolutely delicious but the middle was a little dry. I think that is fairly common of rabbit though (I’m quite new to eating bunnies. Let’s not call them bunnies). The artichoke pesto on the side balanced this beautifully. It was an absolute flavour explosion.
Orecchiette alle Fave
This felt gorgeously healthy with an onion, lime and broad bean puree. Really punchy and satisfying. Topped by yummy crunchy bits, maybe not quite so healthy 😉
Zucchine e Mirtilli
Pan fried zucchini dotted with crispy sardines. The thick, garlicky guacamole and pickled blueberries on the side lifted it to a thing of beauty. I am not a big fan of sardines but cooked like this, I’m onboard.
Salmone e Cicoria
The salmon was so beautifully fresh. I wonder if the pomelo was just a little underripe because it was a touch sour but all up this was a lovely fresh dish.
Pizza is Sexy
This was what I was waiting for (and trying to save room for)
Bufala
The fresh housemade sugo was so rich and concentrated; combined with fresh toppings and a lovely chewy/crispy top notch pizza base, we were off to a good start.
Tartufo
Ummm check out all that truffle! My notes tell me that this pizza had gorgonzola, leek, chicken skin and potato but all I can think about was the amazing umami magic.
L.S.D
Stands for liqorice (as in the herb), sausage and dates. I love sweet/savoury combos and the date puree underlying spicy italian sausage made me very happy.
Dessert was described simply as Gucci by Gucci – a bit of a mystery
Now, I am a bit of a dessert fiend. My buddies will all tell you that even when they have retired for the night, I will still plump for the sweet stuff. It is a big call then to say that this was one of the most extraordinary desserts I have ever had. Inspired by Gucci perfume this had all the elements of the fragrance sprayed lightly on the business card. It was a cloud of musk, vanilla, and orange citrus with chewy, crunchy, creamy textures. Everyone was silent for at least 5 minutes – that’s saying something.
We had lovely service and even he chefs were good-natured as food bloggers snapped away at the open kitchen. If you are a SoMe (Social Media) addict, there is plenty of Instagram fodder from the glassware to the waiters (it ain’t just the pizza that’s sexy) and of course, the food. Do try to keep room for dessert.
Disclosure: I attended A25 Pizzeria as a guest. All opinions remain my own.
Willunga Wino
August 19, 2015 at 12:05 pm (11 months ago)WOWOW
I don’t know where to start. I want to eat EVERYTHING at this pizzeria!
Next time I visit Melbourne, it’s on my (ever expanding) list. To hell with my waistline!
Nicole Bilson
August 23, 2015 at 9:44 pm (11 months ago)Wait until you eat ALL THE PIZZA in Rome
Gary Lum
August 19, 2015 at 1:33 pm (11 months ago)It’s funny how we grow accustomed to a side of a town. In Brisbane, Darwin and Canberra I’ve been a northside person. The southside is basically dangerous. I know nothing of Melbourne except they host my third favourite rugby league team and the coffee is good 😀 I’m guessing if you live on the northside Nicole that must be the best part of Melbourne too
Nicole Bilson
August 23, 2015 at 9:43 pm (11 months ago)Haha, thanks Gary. Good to know you trust me
The southside is coming around here now. And i have to say, in Brissy I was a southside girl.
Gary Lum
August 23, 2015 at 9:47 pm (11 months ago)lol, even though I always seem to live northside in Brisbane and Canberra I work southside 😀
Cilla Haywood
August 19, 2015 at 1:46 pm (11 months ago)Zomg yum
Nicole Bilson
August 23, 2015 at 9:41 pm (11 months ago)So yum
Blah Blah Magazine
August 20, 2015 at 1:54 pm (11 months ago)Oh, wow. I’m stock piling places to go for my next Melbie visit and this is definitely on the list. Thank you xx
Nicole Bilson
August 23, 2015 at 9:40 pm (11 months ago)Where you you stay when you are here? Just so many good places.
Malinda (@MBPaperPackages)
August 20, 2015 at 5:46 pm (11 months ago)Oh yum – drooling on my keyboard … adding it to my next time list.
sherry from sherryspickings
August 21, 2015 at 11:31 pm (11 months ago)Sounds Delish! See u at the conference
Lynnette
August 22, 2015 at 6:19 pm (11 months ago)I think every resident of Melbourne is passionate about food. You don’t really need to try too hard to find a cafe or a restaurant that serves good food
This place though, sounds like something special. I still can’t get that image of Bombolone di Parmiggiano out of my head. drools*
Nicole Bilson
August 23, 2015 at 9:37 pm (11 months ago)Oh Lynnette, you’d be surprised, it always shocks me how many people go for average over great, even though great is so easy to find. I love it when someone puts such a crazy new twist on something like those doughnuts
Lynnette
August 24, 2015 at 9:20 am (11 months ago)As long as they are not doing nutella doughnuts, so over these popping up everywhere!
It is true that heaps of people do end up in places that are average, but in a city like Melbourne, only the ones that are great stand the test of time (and expensive shop front rental costs) 
I love reading your reviews of places, I have been in Melbourne nearly 14 years and I haven’t even heard of half these places! #suburbangirl
Jem @ Lost in Utensils
August 23, 2015 at 4:00 pm (11 months ago)Looks like a cool place but Carlton and Fitzroy are really my Melbs favourites too!
Nicole Bilson
August 23, 2015 at 9:35 pm (11 months ago)South Yarra really is becoming a hotspot now though.
thehungrymum
August 24, 2015 at 10:07 am (11 months ago)Totes worth crossing the river for. Would Sophia lie to you?!
Natasha
August 25, 2015 at 3:41 am (11 months ago)I love the look of this place and the food looks so good! Your posts never fail to make me smile and get hungry at the same time! Love them. – Tasha