Not too long ago when we were working at Melbourne Uni, we were only a stone’s throw away from Carlton’s Lygon Street and its abundance of Italiano dining options. But as it turns out, there’s also no shortage of decent Italiano eateries on the other side of town. I recently discovered another go-to for the post-work wood fired pizza fix should it ever arise: Pinocchio’s South Yarra. The bases are exactly what you’d want in a wood fired pizza: crispy and light springy doughiness with the right amount of bite, topped off with a gorgeous char. The tomato base is perhaps on the sweeter side but the freshness of the accompanying toppings definitely help to balance this out. Creamy and fresh bufala mozzarella, yes please! But prior to the main event, the antipasto board features quite a nice selection of bites to whet the appetite; cured meats, olives, garlic flat bread, crumbed calamari, and arancini with garlic aioli. And be sure to save room for dessert afterwards. Tiramisu fans will not be disappointed.

Antipasto - with cured meats, cheese, marinated vegetables, olives, and house made bread.

Rustica pizza - with Bufala mozzarella, chilli, fennel pork sausage, Roma tomatoes, and rocket.

Bufala pizza - with Bufala mozzarella, basil, oregano, and olive oil.

Tiramisu - with layers of coffee soaked sponge and mascarpone with chocolate.

Pinocchio’s

150-152 Toorak Rd,

South Yarra, Victoria, 3141.

+61 3 9867 2772

https://pinocchiossouthyarra.com.au/

Disclosure: I dined as a guest of Pinocchio’s South Yarra. All opinions expressed in this post are based entirely on my experience and observations made during the time of my visit.