Pizza Espresso
17 Macedon Road, Templestowe
03 9852 2333
Italian, Pizza
$$
Food
- Quattro Formaggi Pizza with Double Smoked Ham & Tomatoes
- Melanzane E Basilico Pizza
- Casserece Broccoli Sausage Pasta
- Snow White Pizzeta
- Sticky Date Pizzeta
- Nutella Calzone
The Good
It was off to a delicious start with the Quattro Formaggi – Four Cheese Pizza. Topped with ripe, juicy cherry tomatoes and thinly sliced and lightly double smoked leg ham, the star of the pizza was of course the generous helping of cheeses sitting underneath. Aptly melted, the mix of pungent Gorgonzola, light Fior Di Latte, as well as Taleggio and Grana ensured a bold and cheesy experience. With just the right amount of pungent sensation that was forward without being overpowering, this pizza was definitely any cheese lovers dream come true.
The Melanzane E Basilico Pizza was equally enjoyable. The thin yet crispy base was topped with a rich and fragrant tomato base. generously applied throughout were thin slices of perfectly grilled eggplant, delectably soft with a slight crispness in the skin. This was coupled with plenty of basil and the lightly flavoured yet creamy fior di latte. All served with a a crunchy crust fresh out of the woodfired oven, this definitely made for a well balanced and rather appetising pizza.
For those looking for a lighter, healthier pasta choice, you definitely can’t look past the Casserece Broccoli Sausage Pasta. The highlight must be the liberally applied, chunks of well-spiced and juicy Italian sausage, which was served with heads of crunchy broccoli. The pasta itself was cooked just so, at just the right softness and coated in a light yet fragrant olive oil. For a more flavoursome kick, we opted to add some grated pamasean and chilli oil, which brought together a whole new depth in flavour and an unexpected richness that worked incredibly well.
We concluded with a trio of desserts. Most impressive of all was undoubtedly the Snow White Pizzeta, which features a small pizza topped with plenty of beautifully melted white chocolate, fresh slices of strawberries and of course vanilla gelato. All served on top of a hot, crispy pizza base fresh out of the wood fire oven that provides plenty of texture and crunch, this pizzeta was definitely most impressive when hot, as the white chocolate slowly melted away in your mouth.
As lovers of all things sticky date, the Sticky Date Pizzeta surely didn’t disappoint either. The hot butterscotch sauce was sweet and aptly sticky, with a creamy richness that was well juxtaposed by the generous helping of vanilla gelato. The once again delectable pizza base served as the perfect sponge to soak up all the saucy goodness as the gelato slowly melted. Simply an excellent finale to our Italian feast.
The Mediocre
Nothing.
The Bad
Nothing.
The Verdict
Showcasing a woodfire oven that’s front and centre of the store, Pizza Espresso is a long-standing Italian eatery that definitely dished up some pretty impressive pizzas.
With a menu that features both traditional and authentic Italian influences as well as more modern interpretations that cater to various dietary requirements like Vegetarian and Vegan at no extra charge, Pizza Espresso is destined to please the locals of Templestowe, no matter their preference. We were certainly impressed no doubt!
Would Penguin Eat Again?
Definitely. The desserts and pizzas here are undoubtedly a must-try, and we just can’t wait to be back for more!
Penguineats would like to thank Pizza Espresso for inviting us.