As many of you know, I started blogging in order to write down my family’s recipes and keep them handy for me and my daughters and to clear up some of the most common misconceptions and misrepresentations of Italian food in the world. After blogging for a few months though, I feel the need to write about other things as well. I want my blog to be a kind of food journal, where l write about my experiences with food, new produce, things I discover and restaurants l eat in, not just recipes. You will still find that the majority of posts will be about recipes, but I will also write about other food related experiences every now and then.
The first post of this new “series” is going to be a restaurant review. Yes, my first review! I chose a place I am familiar with both for cuisine and because my family and I have been eating there for years. I am talking about Caffe’ Moretti, a ristorante-pizzeria in Leichhardt. For those of you who are not familiar with Sydney, Leichhardt is the “Little Italy” of Sydney, where you find plenty of Italian inspired restaurants, cafés, shops… If you want to buy some Italian food, Leichhardt is a good place to shop as chances are you will find what you are looking for.
I still remember the first time I ate at Moretti. My husband and I had just moved here from Italy and we were craving pizza… We tried to satisfy our craving in the city, but the experience was awful and I personally was quite worried about any other future attempt. An Italian friend of ours who was living in Sydney recommended Caffe’ Moretti to us… this friend is also a chef, so I was really happy when he came up with a suggestion! We went out for pizza the following weekend. Needless to say, we loved it. It is just like eating pizza back in Italy! We have been eating pizza there often (as often as you can when you have 2 very young children and do not live in the area) and the quality of food and service is always consistent.
The place is not too big and it can get crowded at times so we tend to go there early… that is why you don’t see many people in the pictures. Much of the clientèle is Italian, which is an indication of the authenticity of their food. There is a bar and a flat screen TV where they sometimes show soccer matches. It is a very “familiar” place, just a typical Italian “pizzeria”, so do not expect silverware (not that you would need any… pizza should be eaten with your hands!!!).
We have only eaten pizza there, even though they serve Italian food from appetisers to desserts. So I will only review their pizze as I have not tried any other dish (though I will need to try their mussels sooner or later as whenever we go, there’s always someone eating them and they smell divine!).
I have tried a few of their pizze and they are all extremely good. There is one thing I need to say about Italian pizza which I am sure the majority of you already know, but it never hurts to repeat it. Italian piazza does not come overflowing with toppings. The “real” Italian pizza has “just enough” toppings to balance the flavours and that is why when you eat an Italian pizza you do not feel as full as when you eat an “imitation”. It is also why Italians eat 1 full pizza per person. That is our meal! Typically, when you eat pizza out in Italy, you order a pizza (per person) and a drink, followed by dessert (often ice cream). If you are interested, you can learn more about Pizza toppings – the do’s and don’ts, in the Techniques page of this site.
Now, to get back to my review… Moretti’s pizze are just right… perfect ratio of toppings to base. They come with a thin base and a crunchy crust and they are cooked in a traditional wood fired oven, which is right there in front of the dining area! I love that you can get to see how pizze are made, from working the dough, to putting the toppings and even the cooking process. It so reminds me of “home”.
They use simple and good quality ingredients (like real mozzarella and not the plasticky cheese used in many places) and you can taste the difference.
In the last few years, I have eaten:
Margherita (tomato sauce, bocconcini and basil)
Diavola (tomato sauce, bocconcini and hot salami)
Trastevere (bocconcini, sliced potato, rosemary and roman sausage)
Popolo (tomato sauce, bocconcini, mushrooms and prosciutto crudo)
Jema (bocconcini, gorgonzola, figs and prosciutto crudo)
San Pietro (bocconcini, zucchini flowers and anchovies)
The other day, we were in Leichhardt for my eldest daughter’s story time in Italian at the Co.As.It. and we decided to stop by Moretti and have pizza before heading back home. I ordered a Margherita (and shared it with the girls)
and Clint ordered his all-time favourite pizza: Diavola.
As you can see from the pictures they were as good as always! Nice tomato sauce base, deliciously melted mozzarella and, for the Diavola, thin slices of spicy salami.
What keeps us coming back are both the authenticity and quality of food and the friendly service. The people at Moretti are always very attentive and their service is fast and prompt. It is also a very family friendly place, which is a plus for people like us who eat out with 2 small kids. They always have coloured pencils for the little ones who get to draw on the paper tablecloth till the pizza is ready! They have many highchairs for toddlers, which is another big plus… so you are assured that you can find one for your child.
You can check out their menu and they always have a few specials written on a blackboard, so make sure to check that out too before ordering… and Buon Appetito!
Caffe’ Moretti
47 Norton Street
Leichhardt, NSW 2040
Ph. (02) 9568 1354
Fax (02) 9560 3640
http://www.caffemoretti.com.au/
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Great review Manu! And I love the idea of your blog being your food journal… now if only I could get a slice of that Margherita through my computer screen! 😀
Oh, what fabulous pizza, Manu! I can see why you enjoy this lovely spot. And now I know who to come to for restaurant suggestions when I come down under (some day, I hope!!!).
PS…LOVE the drawing by one of your sweet kiddos 🙂
This looks like my sort of restaurant, Manu. I am related by marriage to the family who started the amazing Pizza Regina in Boston’s North end in 1926 (it was sold on in the 50s). I agree, pizza should not be overloaded with toppings and should be eaten with the hands. Your photos are great – they really capture the atmosphere – even without the crowds – and I love your children’s art work!
I envy cities with a little Italy!
First off, great first review. Secondly, if you liked the pizza after moving from Italy then you KNOW it has to be good!!
Lots of yummy love,
Alex aka Ma What’s For Dinner
http://www.mawhats4dinner.com
Oooh the pepperoni on the pizza looks sooo good. I love it when it gets crispy and curls up around the edges. Great review manu, I wish it was closer so I could go! =)
With your vivid descriptions and pictures, it felt like I was with you eating those authentic pizza at Caffe’ Moretti! Awesome review, Manu!
Manu, I loved you review and love to see you doing this on your blog, too. It’s great hearing about all your foodie adventures. Understand about the pizza toppings and bases; it’s very rare to find a good, authentic pizza these days. The last time I remember a REAL pizza, was in Corte in Corsica (of all places), with an Italian chef serving up wafer thin pizza bases and just a hint of tomato and onion and cheese on top. At first, I thought (don’t forget I’m Scottish!) “that’s pretty stingy: not much here” – until I tasted it and it was the best in my life. Cheers to Caffé Moretti and to your review!
I’m glad you are expanding your blog Manu. As much as I love reading your recipes, I also write your story telling and your review is also as interesting. I have to put this restaurant in my yelp list to visit it when ever I get the chance to come to that side of the world. Thanks for sharing your review.
Great review, the pizza looks perfect! and so is that drawing.
btw my daughter turns 4 this year 😉 we should have a play date……
Cool! It would be lovely! My “eldest” is turning 4 in 3 weeks! Time flies! And my little one is 1.5… both a handful (well… two handfuls?)… hehehe
My daughter turns 4 in september, and my little boy is almost 10 months. definitely handfuls….
Wow this place sounds amazing! That pizza looks to-die-for!
Manu, what a great review! I really want you to be here and review all the Italian restaurants in SF! I really want to go true authentic Italian restaurant! I love that you “checked” how they were cooking with your camera! 😉 Now I want to eat thin crust pizza…
Great first review Manu! You did brilliantly and I can’t believe it was your first one! The pizza is drool inducing 😀
I love the picture drawn by your daughter. Adorable. The pizza looks delicious (although I am partial to Neapolitan pizza, which is not as thin).
Wonderful review!! Looking forward to more. I can see why you guys eat there, the pizza looks SO good! The popolo pizza sounds amazing.
Fantastic review..If I am EVER in the area I will stop by for Popolo or just plain and delicious Margherita…Love it!!
Great review Manu! 😀
I’m not really a pizza lover but I love that you get to see how your pizza is being made and cooked in the restaurant and also the thin, crispy crust of the pizza! In SG we don’t get to see all these and now Pizza Huts and other Pizza restaurants don’t serve those thin. crispy crust pizzas(my favs!) anymore… so sad 🙁
Per fortuna esistono locali come questo anche agli antipodi… L’ultima immagine della pizza che cuoce in forno per me è bellissima, così come il disegno dei tuoi bimbi 🙂
Wow, that pizza looks amazing! I will check it out for sure, never know where to go in Leichhardt. And I love a base with plenty of tomato sauce, nothing annoys me more than when they’re stingy on the sauce!
Congrats on expanding the blog btw, it’s a tad nerve racking I know, but it was a fantastic frist review. Thanks again for the reccommendation!
Ohhh thank you soooo much Lau!!! <3
Hey, just thought you should know I went here last night for my boyfriend’s birthday – it was amazing! Arrived around 7, the place was about 2/3 full but half an hour later it was packed – not bad for a freezing Tuesday night.
Loved the pizza bases, potato and rosemary pizza was brilliant, as was the tiramisu. Thanks so much for the recommendation!
I am sooooo glad you went there and you guys liked it! :-))))))))
I am going again tonight. Can’t wait!
So glad to hear that!! We were in Leichhardt this morning for our kids’ story time in Italian and we bumped into the guy who makes pizze at Moretti’s! 🙂 Enjoy it!!!
manu … that was such an excellent read for me. The review was so clear .. gorgeous picture… you didn’t leave any detail. You got me crave for pizza hon! 🙂
Looking forward for more review from you.. and your writing is beautiful .. you should know that 🙂 Hugs !
Well done with your first review. The pizzas look pretty delicious. I am so used to reading your wonderful step-by-step recipes this seems a little weird almost!