tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-42578190667271887652024-03-14T22:49:28.387+11:00Sublime Pizza On Thursday (SPOT)Sublime Pizza on Thursday (SPOT)http://www.blogger.com/profile/10510319808502960007noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4257819066727188765.post-82895028991055180082009-12-17T16:40:00.006+11:002009-12-17T17:43:02.843+11:00Woodstock Cafe612 Nicholson St (corner Nicholson & Richardson)<br /> Fitzroy North 3068<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEist1N-kCVy2pRhLl0-xwiLbLatz7aHJ584R7D_i0tHEPD-Y1_km7nPE8StQzqT3fD0qysN_UktgvUjT7oPnijCFSWiuH2L26yQs72MaS2-50AFfiO9rVl89s21nkrNREGzroKr4-g9730/s1600-h/woodstock_collage%231.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 201px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEist1N-kCVy2pRhLl0-xwiLbLatz7aHJ584R7D_i0tHEPD-Y1_km7nPE8StQzqT3fD0qysN_UktgvUjT7oPnijCFSWiuH2L26yQs72MaS2-50AFfiO9rVl89s21nkrNREGzroKr4-g9730/s400/woodstock_collage%231.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416085387141966594" border="0" /></a><br />Spotters who braved the downpour last Thursday (there were some decidedly squelchy shoes on show) were treated to the 'real thing' at Woodstock Cafe: traditional Italian fare served on red and white checked tablecloths. The (somewhat noisy) restaurant is divided into front and back sections by the large wood-fired pizza oven and preparation area.<br /><br />The pizzas here are apparently made with triple-proved dough, and the crusts prove perfectly thin and crisp. Confident toppings are strewn about the pizzas in large chunks, and pizzas are served whole rather than sliced (always a point of contention amongst our group, but personally I'm a fan of pizza served this way - I think it involves you more in the whole pizza experience if you have to cut it yourself!)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW5aLKZjJZYZKfbZNUdFL00JR1EmDeZOyO0UWZfpJ26vw8rb_FOAS8W_aMRCBCOAbioydxbLlbt7lYSoBXeotf58QuLngOUZlcP0aw4RSJU7JegPbvosvd8m2awl7jwVUsu2rpu3oe1qQ/s1600-h/WoodstockPizza.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW5aLKZjJZYZKfbZNUdFL00JR1EmDeZOyO0UWZfpJ26vw8rb_FOAS8W_aMRCBCOAbioydxbLlbt7lYSoBXeotf58QuLngOUZlcP0aw4RSJU7JegPbvosvd8m2awl7jwVUsu2rpu3oe1qQ/s400/WoodstockPizza.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416079626020321762" border="0" /></a>There is a good list of Italian wine (and beer). And a dessert list that was very tempting (if only we hadn't ordered so many pizzas...)<br />Bookings recommended - by the time we left the place was full.Nycolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17932905930701712146noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4257819066727188765.post-70358942711426969072009-08-16T16:43:00.001+10:002009-09-02T21:57:06.030+10:00Cafe Romantica<div style="font-family: verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-weight: bold;">52 Lygon St, Brunswick</span><br /><br /></span></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span">The regularity of SPOT meetings (and perhaps reviews) has taken some hits from the Melbourne winter, but a dedicated few made it to Cafe Romantica (Lygon St, East Brunswick) last Thursday to keep the pulse beating. </span></span><div style="font-family: verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=";font-size:100%;" ><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span">Romantic in name only (the tiled floors and laminex tables perhaps don't recommend it for secret <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">rendevous </span>or first dates), it's nonetheless c<span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span">osy and welcoming - good if you find yourself waiting </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span">da sola </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span">for the rest of your crew to straggle in (Sorry, Nyc).</span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: verdana;"><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span">Unfortunately the pizza rating hasn't made it to committee yet, but in this humble Spotter's opinion, the base was nice and chewy, the toppings better than standard, and there was a good vego range. This can be extended by the addition of extras to any pizza - something a lot of other places won't allow. The home-made gelato counter was too hard to ignore, and though we don't usually venture into the business of dessert, the liquorice is a goer.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=";font-size:100%;" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=";font-size:100%;" >All in all, Cafe Romantica is cheap, cheerful and comfortable. Sounds like a perfect first date to me.</span></div></div></div>Sublime Pizza on Thursday (SPOT)http://www.blogger.com/profile/10510319808502960007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4257819066727188765.post-87921334461284334262009-07-17T14:32:00.002+10:002009-09-02T21:57:29.068+10:00The Darwin Pizza Scene...<span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:100%;" >ROVING REVIEWS BY PIZZA SPOTTERS</span><div style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" ><!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;">Hypothesis</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span">One SPOT member opined that warm humid climates like Darwin’s are not conducive to pizza eating.</span><span style=""><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span">An interesting view.</span><span style=""><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span">I investigated the theory.</span><span style=""><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span">If it were true then Darwin would probably have less pizza places and the eating experience would be less pleasurable regardless of the quality of the pizza.</span><span class="Apple-style-span"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span">Results</span><span class="Apple-style-span"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span">I confined my investigations to the CBD.</span><span style=""><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span">First of all I went into what looked like one of Darwin’s oldest Italian restaurants. It had a musty smell and no customers. Alas also no pizza on the menu.</span><span style=""><span class="Apple-style-span"> Perhaps </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span">that says something about the suitability of the climate for pizza. However I don’t think this necessarily follows as I doubt customer satisfaction was high on the proprietor’s list of priorities.</span><span class="Apple-style-span"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span">Next I went into "Mitchellis" on Mitchell St. It presents itself as Darwin’s official sit down pizzeria.</span><span style=""><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span">Nothing flash.</span><span style=""><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span">Atmosphere soured by tv screens and bright lights. I was directed to a seat in the back corner and told to order at the counter. Aok with me except the pizzas and wine were super expensive (it would have cost me $40+ for an average looking pizza, a salad and a glass of wine).</span><span style=""><span class="Apple-style-span"> Hence I</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span"> walked on. </span><span class="Apple-style-span"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span">Next door however was another pizza joint - Cafe Uona, specializing in takeaway, but licensed and with outdoor tables and a sign saying Darwin’s best pizza. I ordered the "Vegetarian". And it was pretty good.</span><span style=""><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span">Reasonable value, nice toppings, a good garden salad, and bottled house wine for $5/glass. Friendly genuine backpacker staff too.</span><span style=""><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span">I’d say this place would hold its own in Melbourne but probably not stand out.</span><span style=""><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span">Conclusion</span><span class="Apple-style-span"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span">So to the non tropics pizza hypothesis.. I enjoyed my Darwin pizza as much as usual in Melbourne. And, eating outdoors in Darwin is better than being outdoors on Lygon on a wintery summer’s afternoon.</span><span style=""><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span">But would I want pizza every week in the tropics?</span><span style=""><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span">Hmm.. I think yes.</span><span style=""><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span">Still, the lack of pizza places in Darwin suggests not everyone does.</span><span style=""><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span">So it seems more research is needed.</span><span class="Apple-style-span"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span">Notes</span><span class="Apple-style-span"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="text-indent: -18pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:100%;"><span style=""><span class="Apple-style-span">1.</span></span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span><!--StartFragment--><span style="" lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span">I suggest there</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span"> is a business opportunity for a Darwin pizza place experimenting with Indian and north African flavours. </span><span class="Apple-style-span"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="text-indent: -18pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:100%;"><span style=""><span class="Apple-style-span">2.</span><span style=""><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span></span></span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span">Lack of time stopped me getting to “Super Pizzas” in Fanny Bay. Judging by its name it is also worth a visit.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <!--EndFragment--> </div>Sublime Pizza on Thursday (SPOT)http://www.blogger.com/profile/10510319808502960007noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4257819066727188765.post-69522629084159710862009-07-17T14:25:00.003+10:002009-09-02T22:06:06.485+10:00Vicky's<!--StartFragment--> <p style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" class="MsoNormal" ><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p></o:p><span style="font-weight: bold;">5-7 Strathalbyn St (Harp Strip), Kew East</span></span></p><p style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" class="MsoNormal" ><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Ph 9859 6471</span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" class="MsoNormal" ><span style="font-size:100%;">This is my local pizza place.<span style=""> </span>On a Thursday if SPOT doesn’t meet, this is where I eat.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" class="MsoNormal" ><span style="font-size:100%;">Its instructive to see what a pizzeria offers away from the charged atmosphere of Melbourne’s inner north.<span style=""> </span>I like it.<span style=""> </span>Vicky’s décor is kinda mid eighties inspired pastelish inoffensive, functional with rather too bright lighting. But its in a really cool old double storey building.<span style=""> </span>Whoever occupies upstairs with its deeply recessed verandah is lucky.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" class="MsoNormal" ><span style="font-size:100%;">The restaurant has a dedicated clientele of canny baby boomers.<span style=""> </span>Nothing fancy but a proper family run restaurant conscious of and attending to all the things a restaurant should.<span style=""> </span>Quality food, a serviceable bar and friendly, polite service without pretence.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" class="MsoNormal" ><span style="font-size:100%;">Selecting a vego pizza is easy – it’s the one called “Vegetarian” (notwithstanding the Margarita).<span style=""> </span>It’s pretty tasty, lots a mushroom, cheese and capsicum on an agreeable base. (Although I note my housemate ordered a takeaway pizza the other day that had a too doughy base). The wine list stands out for value with a $3 house wine.<span style=""> </span>But, life is too short to waste time with this given that for $4 you can have a glass of decent bottled wine.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" class="MsoNormal" ><span style="font-size:100%;">All in all I’m proud Vicky’s is my local pizza restaurant and happy to recommend it to anyone visiting Kew East.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <!--EndFragment-->Sublime Pizza on Thursday (SPOT)http://www.blogger.com/profile/10510319808502960007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4257819066727188765.post-37640043452348891252009-05-03T15:02:00.002+10:002009-09-02T21:53:22.056+10:00Beer DeLuxe<span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;" >Federation Square, corner Swanston & Flinders Sts<br /><br />It was a rugged-up and wintry crew of spotters that met at Fed. Square last Thursday night, for only our second foray into the pizza joints of the CBD. After getting into the groove with some free jazz (courtesy Melbourne Jazz Festival), we made our way to Beer DeLuxe for the evening's repast. Fortunately none of us was wearing spectacles, so we were free to pass the "no glass wear beyond this point" sign and enter through the beer garden/courtyard.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsVPah8_ygNT9Xw8Zqzat88QeILZpViFDXiRTVH3ufAY2Qb9LZEX3c1guCuKCaKwbY0i7tNKQFy8kU5srvC0-EDPHq_DvgQttkqs0l-aKIwqmoVjNXnt5VmUS8OL4OSF4riMXzOG5iWSg/s1600-h/glass+wear.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsVPah8_ygNT9Xw8Zqzat88QeILZpViFDXiRTVH3ufAY2Qb9LZEX3c1guCuKCaKwbY0i7tNKQFy8kU5srvC0-EDPHq_DvgQttkqs0l-aKIwqmoVjNXnt5VmUS8OL4OSF4riMXzOG5iWSg/s320/glass+wear.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335936868392093922" border="0" /></a>For a place that appears not to want its patrons to see clearly, Beer DeLuxe was quite well lit. The lighting was warm and cosy, the light-fittings even earning the approval of our Architect member. However the night following the coldest April morning in over 50 years is not the best time to find yourself seated next to the door. The warmth and cosiness was somewhat disrupted by the arctic breeze tickling the backs of our necks everytime someone went outside for a fag.<br /><br /><em><strong>The Verdict:</strong></em><br /><br /><strong>Base:</strong> 6/10. Not bad, nothing special. There were complaints of sogginess, but perhaps this is a fault of the -<br /><br /><strong>Topping:</strong> 6.5/10. The stand-out was the Onion, Leek and Gorgonzola, a tasty combination that had us all looking for more. The 'special' Pumpkin and Rocket was not a good example of what roast pumpkin on pizza can do - if you need to add salt and pepper to a pizza, something's lacking.<br /><br /><strong>Atmosphere/service:</strong> 4/10. That arctic breeze cost them big time, and the general din didn't help. The only mitigating factor here was our waitress, who saved them a score of 3/10 by recommending an excellent choice from the -<br /><br /><strong>Beer/wine list: </strong>8/10. Great, and as you'd expect some excellent beers, the dark ales helping us bear up under the cool conditions.<br /><br /><strong>Value:</strong> Overall, quite good. Considering the location, $14 for a pizza can't be sneezed at (there were some sniffles though, courtesy of the arctic ...)<br /><br /><strong>Overall:</strong> 6.3/10. This place wasn't bad but we left without feeling we'd want to return - at least, not for the pizza. We get the impression that the question to ask at Beer DeLuxe is not 'Would you like a drink with your pizza,' but rather 'Would you like some pizza with your beer?'</span>Sublime Pizza on Thursday (SPOT)http://www.blogger.com/profile/10510319808502960007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4257819066727188765.post-455706689749874752009-04-21T13:26:00.001+10:002009-09-02T21:55:49.829+10:00Bar Fred<!--StartFragment--> <p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">797 Nicholson Rd North Carlton</span><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-size:100%;" >This place makes very good cheap pizzas, serves lots of beer and quite a bit of wine.<span style=""> </span>By the end of the evening I was suggesting it could become SPOT’s spiritual home.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-size:100%;" >But I’m ahead of myself.<span style=""> </span>Using the VAWTB (Value, atmosphere, wine, toppings base) assessment methodology:<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><i style=""><span style="">Value</span></i></b></span><span style=";font-size:100%;" >- Excellent.<span style=""> </span>9.5<span style=""> </span>Big pizzas, with good ingredients, all about 10 bucks.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><i style=""><span style="">Atmosphere</span></i></b></span><span style=";font-size:100%;" >- 6.5 OK but perhaps the area with greatest scope for improvement. Manager made some at best ambiguous comments which didn’t bode well but the bar staff were friendly and unpretentious.<span style=""> </span><span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-size:100%;" >I think its still in transition.<span style=""> </span>The walls painted deep red and dark colours together with op shop chic chairs, seemed a bit in conflict with the dirty old tile floor and stark white ceiling.<span style=""> </span>I guess the rest of the SPOT team didn’t notice but perplexingly there was a palm tree in the urinal!<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-size:100%;" >Music was good.. eclectic. Boards of Canada and jazz (played through big Wharfedale Speakers!).<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-size:100%;" >The atmosphere somehow improved as soon as I read the menu and saw the long list of wine and pizzas at good prices, which brings us to…<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-size:100%;" >Pizzas – Damn fine!<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><i style=""><span style="">Toppings</span></i></b></span><span style=";font-size:100%;" > 9.5.<span style=""> </span>Mostly vego apart from a few with Salmon that swam their way onto the menu.<span style=""> </span>We could only try three but I would have loved to Eat the Menu!<span style=""> </span>We tried the Serra (pumpkin); the Columbus (named for tomatoes.. begs the question what were italian pizzas like before Columbus visited the Americas); and, the Bianco (potatoes, red onion, caramelized garlic, olives).<span style=""> </span>All were great, Roh seemed to wax lyrical most about the Columbus.<span style=""> </span>I still believe the Quattro (with spinach) is worth a follow up visit. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-size:100%;" >We also had a desert pizza which showcased their versatility.<span style=""> </span>Pretty tasty, though the masses of icing sugar tended to stick better to my black jeans than the pizza.<span style=""> </span>There was some discussion of the whole idea of desert pizzas having a bit of an NQR factor.. hmm bit like sparkling shiraz perhaps??<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><i style=""><span style="">Bases</span></i></b></span><span style=";font-size:100%;" > 8.5 Sarah summed it up. “Good.. chewy, not too thick or too thin”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><i style=""><span style="">Wine List</span></i></b></span><span style=";font-size:100%;" > 9 – This joint is about beer even more than pizzas.<span style=""> </span>Which is fair enough and that’s a whole new genre. <span style=""> </span>I guess there are implications for styles of pizzas, base etc.<span style=""> </span>For now let’s just say if you like beer (9.5) this place is for you, and if you like wine (8.5) you’ll be fine – even had an organic shiraz which tasted pretty good.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" >THE VERDICT</span></p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-size:100%;" >So based on the VAWTB, X gets 43 out of 50. That’s 86% or a High Distinction.<span style=""> </span>I reckon Top of the Class.<span style=""> </span>And the good news is when they hang those 60’s paintings currently tucked out the back this place will only get better!<o:p></o:p></span></p> <!--EndFragment-->Sublime Pizza on Thursday (SPOT)http://www.blogger.com/profile/10510319808502960007noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4257819066727188765.post-53136728205801101432009-03-28T11:50:00.003+11:002009-09-03T17:55:06.636+10:00Joe's Garage<span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: verdana;font-family:courier new;font-size:100%;" >366 Brunswick Street Fitzroy</span><span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:100%;" ><br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:courier new;font-size:100%;" ><br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:100%;" ><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBtFhrcO7QPAeVm0ggnlJXol1dwGlrbfCLDFYEkbQxbpj3CJAx9uAw9OnTUaylfTmPZat6U41HSdwj-Nej8kM76nGC9Db-reA6iZTBquTym-wO3FWZ_2lS8oItFkF1C_nYCfVf50rdof4/s1600-h/DSC00112.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBtFhrcO7QPAeVm0ggnlJXol1dwGlrbfCLDFYEkbQxbpj3CJAx9uAw9OnTUaylfTmPZat6U41HSdwj-Nej8kM76nGC9Db-reA6iZTBquTym-wO3FWZ_2lS8oItFkF1C_nYCfVf50rdof4/s320/DSC00112.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318030798280227250" border="0" /></a><br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >After attempting to cut the budget this week (going with a Global Financial Crisis theme) and feast on $5 pizza at Bimbo Deluxe, the spotters found themselves in a spot of bother when Bimbo's had no seating spots to be found. After realising that Brunswick St is not particular famous for pizza (compared with its near neighbour Lygon St), our intrepid bunch were faced with limited options. In the end we trekked south (approx 20 metres) and settled on Joe's Garage. Joe's is designed as a kind of 50's American diner, with its neon sign and 50's-inspired 3D (?) artwork on the walls. Amongst the burgers the menu also manages a pizza list of 13 and a selection of pasta & risotto dishes. It does feel like Joe's has a slight identity crisis - perhaps in an attempt to appeal to the group 'birthday dinner' clientele - trying to cover all bases (pizza, pasta, burgers, dhal, saganaki...) and with their focus leaning more towards quantity than quality. </span><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 0); font-weight: bold; font-family: verdana;font-family:courier new;font-size:100%;" >pizzas sampled:</span><span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:100%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:courier new;font-size:100%;" >1. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Margherita</span></span><span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:100%;" >: </span><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:courier new;font-size:100%;" >tomato, bocconcini & basil</span><span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:100%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:courier new;font-size:100%;" >2. </span><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:courier new;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Veg out:</span><span>roast vegetables, cheese, pesto & fetta </span></span><span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:100%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:courier new;font-size:100%;" >3. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Pump the jam:</span></span><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:courier new;font-size:100%;" > tomato, cheese, roasted pumpkin, semi dried tomato, marinated artichoke, fetta & hommous</span><span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:100%;" ><br /><br /><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 153, 0); font-family: verdana;font-family:courier new;font-size:100%;" >the verdict:</span><span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:100%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: verdana;font-family:courier new;font-size:100%;" >base 6</span><span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:100%;" ><br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:courier new;font-size:100%;" >not bad - </span><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:courier new;font-size:100%;" >not too thick and well cooked. We debated amongst ourselves whether the bases were bought in or made on site. Should have asked!</span><span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:100%;" ><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-EFnzvjIc9ucxHvZEChvGJKO1rx40g1Otz_m3jb_lv_2svI17i20UBcyMvxoipoV6kNWyPsHzEiqwkV2qqfMvXV7rqTWpmxxL_JG4_4z8yk4zpGLaJvR2D2FCZ0g255kbEfvA8qbaqvE/s1600-h/DSC00114.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-EFnzvjIc9ucxHvZEChvGJKO1rx40g1Otz_m3jb_lv_2svI17i20UBcyMvxoipoV6kNWyPsHzEiqwkV2qqfMvXV7rqTWpmxxL_JG4_4z8yk4zpGLaJvR2D2FCZ0g255kbEfvA8qbaqvE/s200/DSC00114.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318031239509094930" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: verdana;font-family:courier new;font-size:100%;" >topping 6.5</span><span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:100%;" ><br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:courier new;font-size:100%;" ><br />satisfactory but not exciting. MJoe's menu is downloadable from their tired-looking website, which lends us to believe it probably hasn't changed in quite some time. We question the addition of hommous</span><span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:100%;" > </span><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:courier new;font-size:100%;" >on pizza. Also, it would help if the menu gave more information than just 'cheese'</span><span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:100%;" >.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: verdana;font-family:courier new;font-size:100%;" ><br /><br /><br />ambience/service 6.5</span><span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:100%;" ><br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:courier new;font-size:100%;" >Bright & noisy but the place was less than half full. Football on the tv in the corner may or may not be your thing. If you are after an authentic italian experience, Joe's is not your place. Service was friendly</span><span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:100%;" >.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: verdana;font-family:courier new;font-size:100%;" >wine list 6</span><span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:100%;" ><br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:courier new;font-size:100%;" >While Joe's has a large u-shaped bar taking up the middle of the restaurant</span><span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:100%;" >, </span><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:courier new;font-size:100%;" >beer & spirits seem more of a priority than wine. The house red was uninspiring. </span><span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:100%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: verdana;font-family:courier new;font-size:100%;" >price: 6.5 $</span><span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:100%;" ><br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:courier new;font-size:100%;" >prices range from $13.90-$15.90 for approx </span><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:courier new;font-size:100%;" >10 inch pizzas</span><span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:100%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: verdana;font-family:courier new;font-size:100%;" >Overall:</span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: verdana;font-family:courier new;font-size:100%;" > </span><span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:100%;" ><br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:courier new;font-size:100%;" >Satisfactory. We wouldn't seek out Joe's for the ambience or the pizza experience, but the pizza was better than expected and the prices were reasonable</span><span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:100%;" >.</span>Sublime Pizza on Thursday (SPOT)http://www.blogger.com/profile/10510319808502960007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4257819066727188765.post-22505059708003969412009-03-28T11:47:00.002+11:002009-09-02T22:02:01.647+10:00D.O.C Pizza e Mozzarella Bar<span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">295 Drummond Street, Carlton</span><br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:courier new;font-size:100%;" ><br />A bit of background first: D.O.C stands for </span><span style="font-style: italic; font-family: verdana;font-family:courier new;font-size:100%;" >Denominazione D'origine Controllata</span><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:courier new;font-size:100%;" >, which is a label given to foods and wine that are deemed to apply to the lofty standards set by various Italian agricultural bodies. It is basically an Italian quality assurance, developed by a few Italians worried about the poor reputation of many so called "Italian" food and wine.</span><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" > (Please note that no such body exists for Italian cars...)<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:courier new;font-size:100%;" >By naming a restaurant D.O.C, the restaurateur is clearly trying to tell us that their food is authentic, guaranteed, stamped & signed Italian goodness. And so was it? Well yes it was, right down to the imported Italian waiters in their shiny white 1980's sneakers and cardigan knits with collars.</span><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" ><br /><br />While D.O.C emphasises their selection of Italian small goods, cheese and wines, they also serve a number of Australian items, including cheese and wine. The menu is divided into four categories: D.O.C Mozzarella Bar & </span><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:courier new;font-size:100%;" > Antipizza Bar</span><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" > (cheeses & smallgoods); Insalatone (salads); D.O.C Pizza Bar; & dolci, cafe e digestivi. As for the rest - see our comments below:<br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 0); font-weight: bold; font-family: verdana;font-family:courier new;font-size:100%;" >pizzas sampled:</span><span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:100%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:courier new;font-size:100%;" >1. <span style="font-weight: bold;">foccaccia potato</span> c/ caramelized red onion e rosemary</span><span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:100%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:courier new;font-size:100%;" >2. <span style="font-weight: bold;">pizza abruzzese</span> c/ porchetta, montovana fruit mustard, mozzarella & radicchio</span><span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:100%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:courier new;font-size:100%;" >3. <span style="font-weight: bold;">pizza cicoria</span> c/ chicory, piave cheese & lemon</span><span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:100%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:courier new;font-size:100%;" >4. p<span style="font-weight: bold;">izza ai porcini</span> c/ wild mushrooms, truffle oil & mozzarella in bianco</span><span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:100%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:courier new;font-size:100%;" >5. </span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: verdana;font-family:courier new;font-size:100%;" >sweeet pizza</span><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:courier new;font-size:100%;" > c/ belgian white chocolate & fresh strawberries & vanilla bean ice-cream</span><span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:100%;" ><br /><br /><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 153, 0); font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >the verdict:</span><span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:100%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: verdana;font-family:courier new;font-size:100%;" >base 8.5</span><span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:100%;" ><br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:courier new;font-size:100%;" >thin enough to not be bread-like, but still soft with enough crusti-ness</span><span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:100%;" > that all good pizza bases should have.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: verdana;font-family:courier new;font-size:100%;" >topping 8.5</span><span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:100%;" ><br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:courier new;font-size:100%;" >very interesting selection of pizza topping departing wildly from the standard cappriciosa and aussie specials. every pizza is carefully conceived to produce a simple arrangement of ingredients. solid range of vegetarian pizzas that are very tasty.</span><span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:100%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: verdana;font-family:courier new;font-size:100%;" >ambience/service 6.5</span><span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:100%;" ><br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:courier new;font-size:100%;" >very noisy, but the service was good. the couple flirting in the kitchen out the back added to the authentic italian experience.</span><span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:100%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: verdana;font-family:courier new;font-size:100%;" >wine list 7</span><span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:100%;" ><br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:courier new;font-size:100%;" >good traditional italian style wines, produced both inn Australia and Italy. extensive beer list with large number of Italian beers.</span><span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:100%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: verdana;font-family:courier new;font-size:100%;" >price: $$</span><span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:100%;" ><br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:courier new;font-size:100%;" >pizza prices range from $14.90-$18.50 with three selections of pizza above $20. not quite porchetta prices, but you do get what you pay for - excellent pizza!</span>Sublime Pizza on Thursday (SPOT)http://www.blogger.com/profile/10510319808502960007noreply@blogger.com0