Redforno

With the queue at RaRa Redfern showing no signs of diminishing, I put aside my longing for ramen and reacquainted myself with Redforno Pizzeria. Located on the pedestrian thoroughfare between Redfern Station and the suburb’s main drag, it’s prime people-watching territory on their al fresco tables. For a slightly quieter meal, duck past their busy pizza oven to their back section where wood panelling, fake ivy walls and trailing strands of fairy lights give it some atmosphere. Coming directly from an earlier function, we’re straight into the thirst-quenching craft brews. Flavoured with orange zest and coriander, Isaac ($12), by Baladin Beer, is an Italian crafty made with six strains of native yeast. It drinks almost like a bubbly, light sparkling wine and is perfect for the simple Italian eats on offer here. We ease our way into eating with the tricolour Caprese Salad ($13.50) presenting well-seasoned fresh tomato slices and discs of fior di latte mozzarella around a mound of rocket drizzled with sticky balsamic. The addition of thinly sliced double smoked ham sitting under the golden Grana Padano and fior de latte cheese topper is a good one on Redforno’s Lasagna ($16). The béchamel is light and creamy, the Bolognese meat sauce well balanced, and the pasta sheets that separate between them are not too plentiful. It’s comforting and warming on a slightly too cool spring evening. Made using Italian flour, Italian tomatoes and a sparse collection of fresh ingredients that allow you to taste the nicely blistered bases, pizzas at Redforno are well-handled. Truffle ($28) is my favourite, but I’m a pizza bianca (white pizza) enthusiast. This pizza takes fior di latte cheese and truffle cream and tenderly covers each slice with prosciutto crudo San Daniele, a dusting of oregano and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil to lubricate its passage. It’s simple and good, just like this small restaurant.

‘Little Italy’ in Sydney feelings. Pizza is absolutely pizza. Plus Redforno hosts a pizza + drink event fortnightly. And Great music, DJ. Staff has the best vibe, the groove, the smile and the mood while making pizza, making spritz (and other cocktails) and enjoying the music - that’s their secret ingredient. It’s one minute walking distance from Redfern station. great breakfast and lunch options. Coffee (Italian, of course) by Segafredo is worth the visit too. We’ll be back.

This place is always a mystery for us. It's so so good but it's never crowded. We've been coming here for almost two years and it never failed to amaze us. We tried a lot of pizza places in Australia and this is one of the few that can compare with the italian ones. Long story short : if you want to eat a real pizza, this is the place to go !