[invite] Bianca: We’re always on the hunt for good pizza in Sydney. Going on two years of trade is Nude Pizza in Matraville. Neighbours with one of my favourite burger joints in Sydney, Big Bunz.
Owner Nunzio was eager for us to try some of their classic Italian pizzas. The bases here are more of the Sicilian style, with a sturdy but thin crust and ample toppings. We dined early on a Saturday evening and there was a steady stream of dine-in customers and take-away/delivery orders. Big Bunz owners Frank & Mel, praised the pizzeria/wine bar, stating there really wasn’t much like it in the area.
Joining me on my blog date was my brother Nick, who doesn’t really eat much of anything. But the beauty of Nude Pizza is that you can tailor your pizza order to anything you desire. Which is exactly what he did with his custom order. An Original base, nude, buffalo mozzarella, double smoked ham & basil $19.50. Despite the lack of toppings he thoroughly enjoyed his pizza, with the quality of the ingredients really shining through.
The Caprese Salad -w/ Bufala Mozzarella, Roma tomatoes, basil pesto & olive oil $15 was a great vehicle to showcase the quality of the ingredients. Plump ripe tomatoes paired with the pesto and rich mozzarella was a marriage made in heaven!
I was eager to try the Ricotta & Spinach Panzerotti $12 a small deep fried calzone pizza. Amply filled with a thin outer crust. You could easily share this between 3 people as a starter with salad for a taster.
I adore Lasagna, so when I see it on the menu it’s a no-brainer. Lasagna -w/ bolognese sauce & parmesan cheese $17. Wonderfully balanced, the tomato sauce had a great depth of flavour. I typically shy away from bechamel (it’s not really typical in my nonnas cooking) but it was delicious. I ate the whole thing to myself…
And now on to the restaurant’s namesake. Pizza! The Diavola -w/ Italian Salami, tomatoes, olives, basil, chilli flakes & oregano $21 is a good one if you like some spice in your life. Well balanced with the toppings. I do prefer wood-fired pizza as the flavour is paramount but these were still fantastic and the dough not overly cumbersome.
And finally, the Rustica -w/ double smoked ham, button mushrooms & taleggio cheese $24. It was fairly close to what Nick ordered, so I probably should have gotten something vastly different. But it’s more of an excuse to return to try more of the menu.
I’d definitely come back if I was in the area. It’s a stone’s throw from the beach and would make a perfect picnic meal!
Bianca
*For Food’s Sake dined as guests of Nude Pizza.
I always order the diavola! And I didn’t know you had a brother Nick (who doesn’t eat much of anything LOL). I have to admit that white pizzas just don’t it for me. I love tomato and I love a saucy red pizza! 😀