One of the world's most famous pizzerias opens in Sydney

One of the most famous pizzerias is opening its first outlet in Sydney. 

L’Antica Pizzeria Da Michele, the 155-year-old Naples institution featured in the Julia Roberts film Eat Pray Love, opening its first Australian doors this week. 

Da Michele now has more than 80 locations worldwide and aims to bring "an authentic piece of Naples to Sydney’s dining scene", its media release proclaims. 

“Sydney, the wait for true pizza is finally over,” says Da Michele representative Giuseppe Costagliola, who has a bit of confidence about him. 

“For years, Australians have travelled to Naples for the real deal, or have been eating overpriced fakes. Now, we’ve brought the same ingredients and craftsmanship to Australia, so locals can experience the real pizza that started it all.”

Since 1870, the Naples Da Michele has been "widely regarded as the global benchmark for true pizza, and still family-owned by the founder’s descendants".

Every element, from imported Italian tomatoes and Agerola Fiordilatte cheese, to specialist equipment and tools, has been sourced from Naples. 

“Many pizzerias claim to serve ‘Neapolitan style,’ but no others can live up to the original,” says cocky Costagliola.

“We’ve brought everything from our hometown: the oven, the artisans, the vitality of Naples, so that every bite can transport you there in an instant.” 

Prices are a surprise. Da Michele has pizzas costing from $18. 

“When it comes to food, luxury is about authenticity, not about money,” says Costagliola. “

The menu will highlight Da Michele’s iconic margherita and marinara pizzas, along with a selection of antipasti, pastas and desserts. 

L’Antica Pizzeria Da Michele officially opens at 50 Pitt Street, Sydney CBD on Friday, December 5. 

The venue will be fully licensed and open seven days a week, 11:30am-11:30pm.

Let's all go for a Chuck

Australians love their Maccas. But will they soon be loving going for a Chuck? 

US pizza chain Chuck E. Cheese has announced plans to expand Down Under - but I wonder if they know what they are letting themselves in for.

Let the Macquarie Dictionary explain with this definition: "Chuck means, among other things, to vomit, as in he chucked up on my carpet!"

OK. Given the Australian sense of humour, Chuck E. Cheese might well find itself the butt of some jokes. 

Anyway, the company has signed a deal with the West Australia-based Royale Hospitality, which operates Perth's Planet Royale venue.

The agreement aims to "redefine family entertainment across Australia" by introducing a reimagined Chuck E. Cheese kid-centric experience that combines pizza with interactive play and activities.

"Chuck E. Cheese is a powerful global brand [well not in Australia - and is 19 countries really global?] that transcends language and cultural boundaries, centred around the timeless essence of family fun," chief operating officer Mario Centola said in a statement. 

"We are thrilled to bring the magic of Chuck E. Cheese to Australia and to collaborate with the Royale Hospitality Group, a partner that shares our commitment to delivering exceptional family experiences."

Ray Strauss, managing director of Royale Hospitality, said the group looked forward to tailoring the US-mega brand for the Australian market.

"This is a momentous step towards establishing Chuck E. Cheese as the premier destination for families seeking an unparalleled kid-centric entertainment and dining experience," said Strauss.

"I am thrilled, along with my dedicated team, to embark on this exciting journey, taking Chuck E. Cheese to the next level throughout all of Australia."

Founded in 1977 in Texas, Chuck E. Cheese has a mouse mascot.

Meet the "orange" wine inspired by Bruce Springsteen

Combine the name Bruce Springsteen with hip Melbourne suburb Fitzroy and you know the topic has to be on trend.

It's wine that we are talking about - a small-batch orange wine, of course.

Fitzroy pizza joint Deep End Pizza has teamed up with natural wine hipsters Dirty Black Denim to create "an energetic and gritty" pinot grigio inspired by “The Boss” himself, Bruce Springsteen.

Who could resist?

Available exclusively at the pizza spot, the Born In Fitzroy Pinot Grigio is a small-batch orange wine made with minimal intervention from grapes grown in a small vineyard in Whitfield (King Valley).

I have not tried it yet, but I'm told the wine "boasts a bright orange colour and lively notes of lychee, green mango, fernet bitter herbs, and spring florals."

I'll report back when I have sampled it.

It apparently will pair well with Deep End’s three styles of American regional pizzas: the New York Thin Crust, Detroit Deep Pan and Chicago Deep Dish.

Dirty Black Denim is the artisan winemaking project from brothers Tim and Lawrence Scanlon, who "aim to make wines that should be drunk from a mug or tumbler in a park with your mates". Or, apparently, with pizzas.

"We are extremely excited to launch this new collaboration with Dirty Black Denim," said Deep End Pizza co-owner Kate Paterson.

"We have had a lifelong love of Bruce Springsteen and his music, and we wanted to create a wine that embodied his spirit and passion - particularly given his Italian and New York roots [well, New Jersey, actually] - while also celebrating the local community of Fitzroy.

"Thanks to Tim and Lawrence, Born In Fitzroy Pinot Grigio is a fitting tribute to The Boss, and we can't wait for pizza, wine and Springsteen-lovers alike to give it a crack the next time they join us at the shop."

Get your pizza from a film star

 A Melbourne couple is wooing customers of its new mobile pizza catering business with a unique and original ingredient - a film star. 

The big screen star is a tiny, totally Italian little catering vehicle - The Piaggio Ape (bee) scooter-based vehicle that is widely used in Italy as a snappy form of transport. 

The Ape's compact size allows it to negotiate narrow streets, park easily, and serve as an impromptu market stall.

The tiny Ape was first seen on Australian roads in the 40s and 50s and it has appeared in dozens of films, ranging from Return of the Pink Panther to the more recent 500 Days of Summer.

Signorino Pizza partners Gianna De Luise and Vincenzo Lobosco use the Ape to service corporate and private events. 

“Vincenzo’s grandfather actually owned a Piaggio Ape when Vincenzo was a child - and he zoomed around in it quite frequently," says Gianna. 

"He loves the idea of using the vehicle to bring something everyone can love and enjoy – pizza. We also wanted to give our two sons similar experiences, even if we are so far from small town Italy.” 

Signorino Pizza’s Ape is fitted out with all the mod cons. 

 

“We wanted Signorino Pizza to be about amazing quality food, uniqueness, authenticity, and of course Italian passion and flair for life, la bella vita (the good life)," says Gianna. 

"We want to bring amazing memories and experiences to people’s events."

The Ape is equipped with an Australian-engineered compact and light Aqueous 10-litre 240V hot water heater from Aus J Hot Water Solutions - ideal for operating in a small space. They were the people who alerted me to the story.