Even Luigi Esposito can't live on pizza alone. The chef, judged by several critics as the creator of the best pizza in Sydney at his Via Napoli restaurants, is turning his attention to the other great love of his childhood in Naples: rotisserie meats.
Via Napoli il Girarrosto opens this week in Hunters Hill, over 12 months behind schedule after Esposito was sidetracked by launching a spin-off pizzeria in Surry Hills.
"I grew up around rotisserie restaurants, my brother owns one back in Italy," he says. "I still remember the smell of the timber, charcoal and meat. I've been able to get hold of the same type of wood, so it'll be [like Naples]."
The chef has a barnyard of a menu, with suckling pig, lamb, and quail cooked over wood fire, while a separate grill will be used for fish and other meat dishes.
Esposito knows he won't win all his customers over from pizza at the first outing, so he's hopeful its location, next to Via Napoli in Hunters Hill, will help sell the message: "They can come here, have a glass of wine and something to eat, then head next door for a pizza," he says.
58-60 Gladesville Road, Hunter Hill
Mon and Wed-Sat 5-11pm; Sun 11am-11pm
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