Just open: Stefano Manfredi launches Pizzaperta at Pyrmont's The Star

Waiting for takeaway pizza is never much fun, so a pizza joint where you can grab a negroni while your margherita cooks is great news for Pyrmont-based punters.

Italian chef Steve Manfredi has opened Pizzaperta, directly underneath his existing restaurant, the hatted osteria Balla at The Star. Pizzaperta offers traditional and non-traditional pizza, cocktails, and al fresco seating with views of Pyrmont Bay Park.

Pizzaperta is using unrefined, stoneground Molina Quaglia "Petra" flour from Italy for its dough. This is naturally leavened for a minimum of 24 hours, which Manfredi says results in a more easily digested dough.

"Our work is to achieve one goal," he says. "To make pizza with the flavour of the grain, a texture that's soft and airy, is easily digested, and has a balance of flavours."

Pizza varieties include margherita with buffalo mozzarella ($19), potato, rosemary, and gorgonzola ($17), and slow-cooked lamb belly with ricotta and Mediterranean herbs ($23). There's also arancini, salads, and a handful of desserts should you feel like a helping of tiramisu ($7.50) on your lunch break.

All of the Pizzaperta tables are outdoors, save for a nook next to the cash register. If you find yourself tucking into pizza and a negroni ($15) on a sunny day and the weather has a change of heart, no matter: the pizza and salad is served in boxes regardless of whether you're eating in or taking away.

Just snap the lid shut and head back to the office.

Ground Floor, The Star, 80 Pirrama Road, Pyrmont. Tues-Sat 11:30-10pm; Sun 11:30am-5pm