Food Porn!

"I really feel like Pizza for lunch today" - said me.

"Ok - Bankstown? So then we can take the kids to monkey mania and...." - said he.

"No, no, no - I really feel like Pizza (because I eat honey toast every, single, freaking day and then go hungry till dinner time when kids are in bed) in Lane Cove at Via Napoli. Kids? Will be fine. I want to spend money on food not on entry fees to some indoors play crap" - said hungry me.

"Ok - let's go" - said he.

And off I went and put on a loose fitted tee and my maternity jeans on - for that roomy comfort that was going to be needed, post-lunch. I was looking forward to lunch, this place? - Is beyond words.

Ed and I have always loved our Pizza. When we see pictures of a new place? We try, immediately. Reviews in SMH by Terry himself? Booking is made ASAP. We love good Pizza. Heck! we even met in a Italian Pizzeria, one more known to people in Sydney.

We've tried some terrible Pizza's, where the picture let's us down. But every now and then we find a Pizza place worth travelling too and we become familiar with that place and try their menu inside out and then the owner's know us by first name basis after a few visits. We are THAT dedicated. We are THOSE people.

So, when Ed suggested to me he wanted to try a place in Lane Cove late last year for his birthday. I knew he must of been impressed with it. It's not often he asks to try a place, being a chef and all.

The only problem with our first time there was that it was hectic, busy and we had late comers, so it was hard to sit down and enjoy dinner with everyone with all the chaos. But we knew we would be back. And try to order differently.

When you arrive, your welcomed by italian waiters who rattle of the special lists with their authentic italian accent. Brilliant! One step closer to good food.

What I loved about them was that as soon as they saw us with kids? They immediately accomodated without me having to ask. She bought out a high-chair, colouring paper and pencils, paper cups - kid set up was done! Parents relieved - PASS THE MENU TO THE RIGHT HAND SIDE!

I must note before I continue, that Ed and I eat as though there were four of us. We never like to go hungry.

We ordered two starters before we made a decision for our Pizza. We felt that if we had food in our bellies, we would be able to make a more clear and concise decision on flavours!

A must-try there is their Prosciutto and FRESH buffalo mozzarella ball. Whilst having the fresh does cost more - $45 per kilo, we only had 250grams, you will not be disappointed.We polished this off in minutes.

Secretly, I could eat this for breakfast everyday, with a poached egg.

We loved the calamari last time, so we ordered that again this time around. You can't go wrong ordering this dish at Via Napoli. 

Plenty for two

Whilst we waited made a decision, ordered and then waited for our Pizza (which wasn't very long at all), we managed some decent family pics.

 

I loved that they were really hospitable when it came to Aston's fussy-food syndrome. He is pretty simple when it comes to food, sound familiar? And so I asked the lady for plain bread and some plain sliced tomato and she didn't even flinch. She just bought it out and Aston was fed and happy. Which meant that Ed and I could actually enjoy our lunch, a HOT lunch. 

Here is our Pizza - 

Yeh man!!! Gimme som of dat food!

Ok, let's be serious about this and cut up a slice!

We ordered a half metre Pizza, yes they do normal 13'' pizzas, half metre and then a whooping metre Pizza. Our size Pizza could feed four adults easily and you would not go hungry. The only reason why we chose this unnecessary-size-pizza-for-two-adults-at-lunch, is because we really wanted to choose our own flavours. He wanted something different to what I wanted, we knew it would be forever before we could return, so we settled to disagree and go half metre. We managed to get through 70% of this size pizza and it was brilliant.

A perfect crust that is puffy, thin in the middle, beautiful woodfired base that was smokey but not burnt. Trust me, makes all the difference. It is a well constructed Pizza, seems like they're consistent because it was the same last time we were here.

He, dad, ordered 'Vesuvia' - tomato based Pizza with beautiful Fior di Latte - Mozzarella made from cow's milk and not buffalo milk, hams, pepper and ricotta and some basil. I'm hoping I have missed any flavours, but the ham was sweet and smokey, the tomato base is what a nap base should taste like and the ricotta is cooked with the Fior di latte, so it comes out oozing and the flavours together are enough for you to not breathe in between finishing and cutting up your next piece.

I ordered my favourite from last time - I forget the name - but it was a rustic italian sausage, brocolli, fior di latte and a kick of chilli. Again. It is a must try when there, for those of you who like, 'something different'.

We were done, happy, content with the staff, the fact we had no tantrums (except for when the staff sang Happy Birthday in Italian, more like shouted it, it's safe to say that Aston-lost-his-shit-from-fright). We contemplated with the thought of having desserts, but settled for coffee's instead.

Next time we go? I will ditch the Pizza, because I know how fabulous they are and instead choose as many of their entree type dishes that will feed my appetite and leave room for dessert.

Do you like Hawaiian Pizza?? Dont come here. Tandoori? Don't come here. Go to Crust or something like that. Come here purely for the gluttoney of beautifully made Pizza's. For the indulgent of eating good effing brilliant Italian comfort food.

We were lucky that it was a quiet day, but I do recommend to book ahead if you plan to go at night or the weekends? again BOOK BOOK BOOK! Otherwise you will need to queue with the rest of the folk who didn't think to BOOK! and I warn you - if you like chaos, warmth, noise, huge servings, quality food and passionate Italian waiters?  Then go - now - stop reading this - get you big pants on - loose top - and head on in. You will not be disappointed. I'm sure you will be eating saying random things teenagers say, like: Oh-em-gee! or AMAZE BALLS!

and on that note - YOLO (you only live once) so forget about the calories and head on it to - MANGIARE!

Aston after his 'Italian mangiare session' and after he tried some Vesuvia Pizza!

Via Napoli
Address Shop 3, 141 Longueville Road, Lane Cove, 9428 3297, vianapolipizzeria.com.au.

Best Bit: They are opened 7 days for lunch and dinner!

and the great Italian Hospitality...