Taking pride in its position is +39 Pizzeria, a bustling venue where Italian is intertwined with English, and the pizza oven takes centre stage.

If the language and cuisine weren’t enough, the restaurant shares its name with Italy’s country code – emphasising the direct link with the owners’ treasured homeland. +39 Pizzeria is the first business venture from Andrea Ceriani and his co-partner, Head Chef Carlo Omede, who share an Italian heritage and a great love of food.

Since opening in 2009, the restaurant has provided diners a genuine Italian experience, with simplicity at the heart of its culinary ethos. The commitment to strong yet simple flavours filters into the menu, which Carlo and his kitchen team have designed to celebrate individual ingredients.

But first, a drink. An Aperol spritz will have you in the right mood to indulge in a selection of cured Italian meats, served like little clothes pegged on a washing line – ‘lo stendino’. This replicates the traditional dry-ageing process where meats are hung over time to enhance flavour.

A selection of aged and fresh cheeses in the ‘degustazione di formaggi’ are adorned with house-made red onion jam and truffle honey. Perfectly crisp polenta chips with gorgonzola fondue are a decadent pre-dinner snack, but for something more substantial, try Nonna’s meatballs in rich Napoli sauce.

As the restaurant name suggests, pizza is where it’s at when it comes to mains. A designated pizzaiolo mans the oven to turn out beautifully thin, crisp and lightly smoked pizzas with a large wooden paddle. Only the best ingredients are used in the simple toppings. Did somebody say cheese? Fior de latte, scamorza, parmesan and gorgonzola are all included in the Quattro Formaggi option.

However, pizza isn’t the only choice. A selection of house-made pasta, risotto and salads are not merely backup dancers on this stage, with dishes like lasagna, a rotating ragu, and rockling and potato-filled ravioli served with a velvety crayfish bisque and fresh chives.

Whatever the main, make sure you leave room for dessert. Pannacotta is given a modern update with salted caramel and toasted almonds, while a red wine hazelnut crunch accompanies luscious dark chocolate mousse. Nutella lovers will be duly satisfied with the sweet pizza, with fresh strawberries and vanilla ice cream.

High ceilings, concrete floors and unclothed wooden tables provide an uncluttered backdrop to the always-busy space, creating the perfect environment in which you can taste the traditional dishes of the Mediterranean country. +39 Pizzeria is a welcoming spot, ideal for a quick drop-in dinner for two or for a more languid group celebration. If authentic pizza and pasta cravings are calling, you can’t go wrong.


Article by Smudge Eats
source: https://smudgeeats.com/directory/melbourne/restaurants/39-pizzaria/

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