It's 6.30 pm on a Thursday night, hardly prime dining time, yet most of the tables at Alfredo’s Pizzeria in Brisbane's inner city Fortitude Valley are already occupied.
And they stay that way for the duration of our meal, filled with rotating groups of happy diners tucking into some seriously good food.
http://eatdrinkandbekerry.blogspot.com.au/2013/08/il-locale-new-local-restaurant-at.html With Limes Hotel and Roof Top bar, a collection of eateries and bars in Alfred & Constance and now the new Alfredo's next door, he is certainly well on his way.
Star of the kitchen is the wood fired oven topped by a ’sexy pizza’ sign. The decor is rustic warehouse with plenty of exposed brick and a ceiling height bar bar that oozes drink appeal.
The menu has some interesting share plates. We tucked into arancini balls with a parmesan crisp which were tasty but a little dry and a full flavoured char-grilled eggplant and feta bruschetta.
From the wood fired pizza oven come pizzas that beg to be tried, if only for their name. How about a slice of Sex Pistols (gorgonzola, parmesan, taleggio, mozzarella and rosemary), Brown Sugar (meatball, pancetta, provolone, bourbon and bbq sauce) or (P)Iggy & the Stooges (roast pork belly, apple sauce, potato and crackling)? Could I suggest a raise for who ever thought up these names? Fortunately the pizzas are available whole or in slices which are a quarter pizza serve so you can try a few combos.
It's no surprise that the dessert menu rocks. Designed by A&C patron chef Jocelyn Hancock (ex Jocelyn’s Provisions), its a list packed full of old faves including banoffee pie and a self saucing chocolate pud. Break open the chocolate pud and velvet chocolate sauce runs out while the banoffee is the perfect construction of pastry with a slight crunch and rich, creamy caramel accompanied by a grilled banana. It's all too good, really. I'm going back to try the red grape dessert pizza with carribean sugar and lemon mascarapone and the waffles with lemon curd and limoncello gelato.
There's enough variety on the drinks menu to keep things interesting with more music/Italian/celebrity themeing - well you have to call the drinks something!
Bottom line: Don't forget to save on your Valley Metro Car Park fee and have your parking ticket validated.
Best tip: Alfredo's offers a full menu every night until midnight and pizza by the slice Friday and Saturday nights until they close at 3am.
Kerry Heaney
Alfredo's Pizzeria
Disclaimer: Ed+bK was a guest of Alfredo's for dinner.
