PROFILED BY DEGROOTS MEDIAFor the pizza aficionado, no cooking method outshines the taste of a wood-fired pizza. Vespa Pizza offers some traditional flavours as well as some well-constructed in-house items on the menu. The preludes section of the menu features some delicious Italian bruschetta, salads and calzone which present some beautifully simple ingredients, wrapped in golden pizza bases and wood-fired to perfection – the chicken, pesto and camembert, and the cheesy chorizo are among some other equally appetising combinations. For something different to start, try a taste sensation of crispy polenta pieces with rosemary and garlic aioli. Smashed kipfler potatoes with parmesan and garlic aioli is another that stands out, as well as potato wafer pizza with rosemary and sea salt.
The pizza list will keep you busy as you contemplate one or more of the traditional and modern Vespa specialities. One of particular interest is the pizza verde, which tantalisingly melds pesto chicken with artichokes, basil, zucchini, green olives, lemon zest and fior di latte. Also tempting are the sesame chicken with mango chutney and organic yoghurt, and the cinnamon roasted butternut pumpkin with dried chilli, sage and fetta which caters for those who prefer vegetarian too. For those who prefer a lot extra for a little more it is definitely worth checking out Vespa which succeeds in not overcomplicating something that is so delicious when made simply.
Ben Upton, August 2008
