Just Open: Via Napoli, Surry Hills
Brace yourselves, inner-city Sydneysiders. Via Napoli's two-metre pizzas have landed on your doorstep.
The renowned pizzeria has at last eased the hoards of crowds at its Lane Cove and Hunters Hill stores and made the journey across the bridge to open a new restaurant in Surry Hills.
"We believe that a pizzeria like ours was missing in the inner city so we jumped at the opportunity," says owner Luigi Esposito.
Taking over Italian restaurant Franco Franco on Crown Street, the venue has been refurbished to mirror Esposito's existing Via Napolis, complete with a traditional pizza oven and central kitchen to watch the magic unfold.
With a plethora of awards up their sleeves, the team is hoping to make a mark in the Surry Hill pizzascape. While they are facing tough competition from nearby Vacanza on Bourke Street, and Lucio Pizzeria in Darlinghurst, Esposito is confident his traditional Neapolitan pizzas will continue to attract a loyal following.
"It's all about the way we do things: good-quality produce, charisma and the passion we put into our food," he says. "When our customers come to Via Napoli, they feel like they are back in Naples."
And the vivacity that has driven the success of Esposito's past ventures is set to continue - just for a new lot of hungry pizza-lovers.
"From the first day we opened our doors, we have been packed," he says.
As the owner eases into his latest venture, plans are boiling under the surface for the opening of Il Girarrosto, a new eatery in Hunters Hill that is set to feature a Neapolitan rotisserie.
"The opportunity to open on Crown Street arose and I didn't want to lose it," he says.
"Il Girarrosto is coming up and it's another concept that people will go crazy for."
628 Crown Street, Surry Hills, 02 9425 3297, Mon-Sun 5pm-late; Thurs-Sun noon -5pm, vianapolipizzeria.com.au
Restaurant reviews, news and the hottest openings served to your inbox.
Sign up