In the farther reaches at the South Yarra end of Chapel Street, where Hello Sam and Burch & Purchese call home, a new food outlet has just claimed its place in the shopping precinct – A25 Pizzeria.
A25 boasts a sexy take on Italian kitsch in its fit-out, including pink neon light installations, images of Sofia Loren and audio of a former Italian president and his mistress cheekily rolling in the background when you visit the bathroom.
Similar to its sister restaurant Non Solo Pasta, which is popular with the corporate lunch crowd in Docklands, A25’s mission is simple – serve good-quality, uncomplicated Italian food at a good price. There are five “red” pizzas, five “white” pizzas and five “crazy” pizzas on offer, along with some delicious pastas, snacks and desserts to boot. “We’re keeping it simple and authentic Italian. You’ve got to have your classics, but we’re also trying new things, too,” owner Remo Nicolini says.
Some real standouts are the squid ink pizza with prawns, calamari, pecorino and oven-roasted tomatoes, the “A25” with asparagus cream, zucchini and ricotta, the rolled eggplant parmigiana with fregola and cherry tomatoes. For dessert, a beautiful blueberry and rosewater panna cotta with Persian fairy floss. If you’re feeling a tad celebratory, wash it all down with a delicious prosecco spritzer.
Best of all in these trying financial times (because when are they not?), there is nothing over $16 on the menu.
A25 boasts simplicity, quality ingredients, a solid wine list and some great cocktails boasting an Italian flavour. With everything served to you with that playful Italian charm, it’s definitely worth a trip southside.
A25 Pizzeria
720 Chapel Street, South Yarra
03 9826 2233
[email protected]
a25.com.au
facebook.com/a25pizzeria
instagram.com/a25pizzeria