Italian cuisine is one that is notorious for being closely guarded by gatekeepers the world over. It’s an element of Italian living that makes a lot of sense given the pride and passion the Italian people have for their food.
Case in point, where many may seek praise and adoration for making a meal from scratch, this is simply the cultural norm.
So it stands to reason that many react with surprise when served the news that a South Sydney pizzeria flying relatively under the radar – until now – not only passes the authenticity test, but holds a glowing endorsement from the Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana themselves (an NGO that outlines the regulations associated with what does and does not constitute a Neapolitan pizza).
Postcard from Napoli is the unsuspecting restaurant in question, and it’s one of eight sole pizzerias in the entirety of Sydney who can say they have been awarded a bona fide AVPN certification.
“The best thing was when the [Sydney accreditation head of AVPN] Lucio came,” says Dino Fonzone, co-founder and owner of the pizzeria in Oatley, south of Sydney.
“He saw our dough and he looked at me like a baby and said, ‘Can I make a pizza with your dough?’”
Yep. It’s that good.
Postcard from Napoli doesn’t just import the flavours of Napoli to Sydney, it harks back to an era of homemade comfort that inhabits the same ethos of that old cliche, “made with love.”
Handmade pasta recipes from the co-founders’ grandparents, time-honoured cooking methods with woodfire ovens, Italian flour and tomatoes grown next to Vesuvius. Even the staff are told to treat the customers as they would in Naples.
“Food has always been my passion. For us, it’s not about eating, it’s a culture and about bringing people together. My family dinners, we’d sit down at 4 PM and stand up at 10 PM.”
Other pizzerias in Sydney also proudly holding AVPN certifications include:
- Da Mario (Roseberry)
- Gigi Pizzeria (Newtown)
- Lucio Pizzeria (Darlinghurst)
- Aperitivo (Leichhardt)
- Anema e Core (Meadowbank)
- Lucio Pizzeria (Zetland)
And for those interested in visiting Postcard from Napoli, you can find them at Shop 2/93 Mulga Rd, Oatley NSW 2223 (or hit up their site postcardfromnapoli.com.au).
Read the full original interview and article by Nicholas Jordan over at Broadsheet.
