Sydney meets Italy at The Italian Bar Pizza.
The whole clan is welcome for those balmy summer meals on High Street, where The Italian Bar Pizza dishes up all your favourites plus some unexpected items to keep you excited.
The décor is Italian chic, plush leather seats lining an exposed brick wall, teamed with alfresco style tables and chairs. Bright neon lights illuminate the main dining room, while a pizza oven shrouded in white unformed chefs can be found down the back.
The menu travels through all your Italian favourites like Tomato and Basil Bruschetta ($9.50), Mushroom Arancini ($13.50 and yum) to an unusual but eye-grabbing entrée of Zucchini fries ($13). Served with aioli, they are the crunchy and crispy vegetable you can feel a little less guilty eating.
The pasta varies between the classics like Beef Lasagne ($23) and Buffalo Ricotta with Saffron Ravioli ($25), to a more modern take of Gnocchi Fritti with 3hr braised lamb ($27) and Rigatoni Norma with eggplant, ricotta, tomato and basil ($24). Our favourite was definitely the Gnocchi Fritti with that delicious lamb that was so soft and flavoursome.
Like most things in this restaurant, there is the option between tradition and modern with the pizza offering too. First, you’ll need to decide between their stoneground original dough or their striking black charcoal dough. For something a big different, we went for the charcoal dough, which doesn’t taste any different but makes for a great Instagram worthy moment. Highly commendably pizzas include the Margherita with basil and fior di latte ($20), Prosciutto with rocket, parmesan and mozzarella ($24), The Ivano with garlic prawns, roast capsicum, jalapeño, basil and mozzarella ($25) and our favourite, the Diavola with spicy salami, olives, capsicum, parmesan and mozzarella ($23).
The two vegan options are the Vegana (classic) with mushrooms, zucchini, capsicum, olives, notzarella and nutritional yeast ($24). Notzarella is a vegan lactose-free pizza cheese. The other is the modern twist; Porcini Patate with porcini mushrooms, potato, rosemary, garlic, notzarella and nutritional yeast on a tomato base ($24). We didn’t get to try any salads, but the Roast Beetroot with basil and stracciatella would have been our choice ($14).
Desserts are traditional with Tiramisu ($10), Vanilla Panna cotta ($10), Gelato ($11) and Nutella and Strawberry Pizza ($15) to name a few. There is also an extensive kids menu which is ideal for parents who want the buzz of a bar and restaurant, with the ease and local proximity in Willoughby.
The Italian Bar Pizza is the perfect spot to get your dose of Italy in the suburbs. Their wine list is commendable and the décor and vibe will ensure for an enjoyable evening if you find yourself in the area.
The Italian Bar Pizza
Shop 5 191/183 High St, North Willoughby NSW 2068
(02) 9967 5468
Open 5pm Monday – Thursday and Saturday, 12pm on Friday and Sunday.
For more information, you can check out The Italian Bar Pizza website here.
