Pizzeria Violetta

PIZZERIA VIOLETTA HAS PERMANENTLY CLOSED.

Pizzeria Violetta is now a takeaway and Uber operation only, having given up its space to new opium-den style Chinese bar Bang Bang Bar.

Pizzeria Violetta is a real slice of Italy that shares a beautifully renovated Paddington cottage with its equally fabulous Chinese sibling *Sichuan Bang Bang.

From the gleaming state of the art imported Italian pizza oven that takes pride of place in the front kitchen come what are arguably Brisbane’s best pizzas and diners can enjoy them in-house in the cosy front dining room with a bottle of Chianti or take them home.

For years Kenmore residents were lucky enough to call Pizzeria Violetta (& Sichuan Bang Bang) theirs but savvy owner Renata has opened the Paddington outlet so that more Brisbane-ites can experience what Kenmore was keeping to itself  – delicious authentic Italian pizzas (and a handful of other dishes) cooked to perfection.

As is tradition, Pizzas come Bianche (with mozzarella base) or Rosse (with tomato sauce) with Bianche toppings including Boscaiola (mozzarella, porcini mushrooms, bresaola, taleggio and truffle oil, Vergine (mozzarella, ricotta, Prosciutto, cherry tomato, zucchini, basil, salt, pepper & EVO oil or Qattro Formaggi (mozzarella, gorgonzola, provola, taleggio, basil and olive oil).

Rosse Toppings include Primavera (tomato sauce, mozzarella, rucola, cherry tomatoes, Parmigiano shavings, cracked pepper, EVO oil and Prosciutto, Maiala (tomato sauce, mozzarella, mild salame, pork and fennel sausage, pancetta & chilli oil) or Margherita (tomato sauce, mozzarella, basil & EVO oil).

While pizzas are the main attraction, diners can also choose from a range of Starters such as Italian Green Peppers with sea salt, caperberries and fig vincotto, Baby Octopus with tomato, oregano and lemon, Bagna Cauda savoury dip with crostini, endive and radish or Nonna’s Rosemary & Garlic Bread.

There’s also a choice of 2 delicious pastas – Papardelle with wild boar ragu or Clam Linguine with garlic, chilli, white wine & herbs – and for Mains a choice of Slow Braised Lamb with soft polenta, green olives & artichoke or Spatchcock Saltimbocca with zucchini, fries, salse verde and marsala.

To accompany are a tempting range of Salads and Sides such as Roasted Beetroot, goat’s cheese, rucola and balsamic Glaze, Broad Beans, mint, pecorino cheese, mesclun and fig vincotto, a traditional Caprese or Italian Frites with pecorino cheese, herb and garlic oil.

And no need to go elsewhere for dessert when Pizzeria Violetta serves up Homemade Tiramisu, Vanilla Buttermilk Pannacotta, Pear & Ricotta Cake and Gelato from La Macelleria in flavours of chocolate, caramello, biscotto and vanilla.

Then diners can finish, Italian style, with a coffee - Espresso (single or double), Macchiato, Cappuccino, Affogato or Caffe Corretto (with Grappa, Sambucca, Amaro Montenegro or Bailey’s).

Note that Pizzeria Violetta is fully licensed, with an interesting and well-curated wine list that spans the best wine-growing regions of France, Italy, Australia, Portugal, Greece, Germany, New Zealand, China and Mongolia, with about half of the wines available by the glass as well as the bottle.

Beer drinkers can go Italian with Peroni Leggera, Birra Menabrae or Peroni Nastro Azzuro Drought, Mexican with Dos Equis Lager Especial, Chinese (Tsing Tao) or choose from a handful of Oz beers such as XXXX Gold, James Boag Premium Light or James Squire ‘The Chancer’.

There’s also a cocktail list including a mix of Italian classics (Bellini, Aperol Spritz, Negroni) , along with Espresso or Churchill Martini (gin, olives & a hint of dry vermouth), spirits and a range of Digestives (Grappa Prunella, Sambuca Limoncella, Amaro Nonino and Amaro Montenegro) available.

And for something non-alcoholic, there’s a selection of Italian and standard soft drinks and San Pellegrino or House Sparkling Water.

Nice to know -  Two Kids Pizza options are available: Formaggi (mozzarella, provola and EVO oil) or Margherita – tomato sauce, mozzarella, ham and EVO oil.

Need to know - Pizzeria Violetta is also open for Benzina (breakfast) from 7am till 3pm on weekends.**

*Behind the ornate Asian screen in Pizzeria Violetta is her oriental sister eatery Sichuan Bang Bang, where diners can take a trip to the ‘far east’ under the ceiling dragon and enjoy fiery Sichuan style cuisine that also happens to be up there with the best most authentic Chinese food to be had in Brisbane.

** Opening times correct at time of publishing in May 2016.