Summer in Bondi. Fresh woodfire pizza. Name a more iconic duo, I dare you. Throw in some Aperol spritz and negroni, and you’ve got yourself a good time.
Maybe Frank is a traditional Italian Woodfire pizzeria with spots in Surry Hills and Randwick and just for the summer, they’re taking over level 1 at the Beach Road Hotel in Bondi. Their head pizzaiolo, Francesco Repole, started out making pizza in Naples as a teenager. He knows what he’s doing, and your tongue will know the difference. The dough is light and crisp, with a delicious elasticity in the thicker crust. It’s the type of pizza you can eat and keep eating without getting sluggish. The pop-up is also serving Aperol spritzes and negronis that go to your head surprisingly quickly so make sure you’re not driving home.
The Beach Road Hotel is the perfect venue to hang out and have some pizza and cocktails. The teal painted wooden boards have contrasting pops of orange (level up your Insta) and the dusk sky behind the rust-coloured fairy lights is spectacular.
I was feeling too carnivorous to go for any of the vegetarian options on the night, but check out the Tartufo (mozzarella, mushroom, blue cheese, truffle oil, grana). I found the Alba (mozzarella, Italian sausage, truffle pecorino, rosemary) a little heavy on the truffle flavour, so if that’s not your jam, best stick to a classic Margherita.
The Prosciutto was my favourite (I’m a sucker for prosciutto). My plus one nominated the Frutti Di Porko (Italian style meat lovers) as her top pick, and I can confirm it is extra tasty with the addition of a surprisingly spicy salami. These two were a little more substantial than the others we tried, so if you’re feeling more hungry, go with one of these.
If you’re waiting on payday, head over on a Thursday between 6 and 10 pm for $10 pizza and cocktails – if you’re a hospo worker you get the same sweet deal on Sundays.
– Liv
Liv S. is a creature of warm weather and negronis. Her interests include pizza pop-ups, trying new things, and triple utterances. Follow her frolics on @callmememphisjones, or tenderlcreative.com.au
