With +39 Pizzeria & Degustation going gangbusters, there appears to be demand for good pizza in the Melbourne CBD. So, the opening of Barbagallo Trattoria e Pizzeria (103 Lonsdale St, Melbourne) seems like a no brainer.
It’s the new restaurant of Pietro Barbagallo, who started i Carusi fame, arguably the place that kicked off Melbourne’s pizza renaissance, so it’s a safe bet that the pizzas are going to be good, and they are.
The pizzas subscribe to the less-is-more theory, with minimal toppings. My salsiccia pizza was topped with passata, cheese, chilli, red onion and, of course, sausage. The flavours worked well together, but the passata could have been richer and the sausage could have been a little more multi-dimensional.
I also found the base a little bland, and worse still, by the time I had finished, it had turned a little soggy in the middle. To be fair though, it was only the first week, so it may be that they’re still getting used to the oven.
The biggest problem that I can see, however, is the pricing, with most pizzas sitting around the $18 mark. Given the Lonsdale Street location, I’d imagine they’re expecting to draw in the lunchtime crowd, but I think the pricing is a little steep. Drinks are also pricey, with pots of Trumer Pils costing $7.50.
WIth +39 serving up pizzas that are not only much cheaper (around $12), but also better in my opinion, Barbagallo Trattoria e Pizzeria still has a bit of work to do.
I rather pay $18 for a pizza and be in the beautiful surrounds of Barbagallo Trattoria than pay $12 and sit in +39′s concrete box. I have had the pizza’s at +39 and it’s bland. Pietro Barbagallo’s new establishment is by far a cut above other city pizza joints and we wish him well.
can’t comment on the food yet, but a glass of trumer is $8 pretty much everywhere
Very Unsatisfied with this place. Eager to check it out but completly underwhelmed.
Used to work for the owner. If ever you go please watch how he interacts with the people that work for him.
I went there recently and must say the salmon pizza was one of the best I’ve had.