Fratelli Famous and The Bavarian open at Westfield Penrith

What is it?

Can't choose between a pizza and a pinot or a schnitty and a stein? Point your GPS towards Penrith Westfield and get the best of both culinary worlds. Fratelli Fresh and The Bavarian Bier Cafe have teamed up to create an Italian-German lovechild, the second such instalment in the country. The space is divided into two areas, each offering its own distinctive cuisine and decor. The common factor? Fresh, authentic ingredients in a fast-casual setting.

What's on the menu?

Fratelli Famous will be dishing up nine signature pizzas including a classic margherita and a spicy vegan number topped with eggplant, olives, pepperoncini and vegan cheese. There's also something called "Crispy Greens" which looks like a pizza/sandwich mashup with cos lettuce, tomato and parmesan on a rosemary focaccia base.

The biggest drawcard, however, is the 'build your own' pizza. Select a base (including a handmade gluten-free option), add some sauce (pesto, garlic with oil or tomato) and then stack it with an impressive range of toppings. In other words you can upgrade a Quattro Formaggio to a Sette-Formaggio and add meatballs and chilli and chorizo and fresh herbs and mushrooms. If you're into that kind of thing. Other menu item include breakfast pizzas, dessert pizzas, gelato and Italian brews to match.

More salty carbs are available on the Bavarian front. The crew will be serving burgers and hot dogs as well as meaty German classics like crispy pork knuckles, schnitzel and wings. It's the kind of spread that will make you want to try all 17 beers offered on tap. There's imported favourites such as Lowenbrau and Hofbrau as well as locally brewed beers from Urban Craft Brewing Co.

Why should you care?

There's no sommelier raising an eyebrow at your unconventional food and drink pairing choices and no egotistical pizza chef who won't let you order off menu. That's a free pass to build the most sacrilegious, frankenpizza you can think up and wash it all down with whatever vice you please.

Bonus bucks

The Bavarian has stretched happy hour into 120 minutes (4pm-6pm daily) where a fiver can get you craft beers, spirits, house wines and cocktails and $1 wings. The best deal has to be "Fry-Day Fridays" where you will be rewarded with bottomless fries with every burger or a schnitzel order. We all need more deep-fried generosity in our lives.

Fratelli Famous has three happy hours (3pm-6pm daily) where you can get a pizza and a craft beer for $20, as well as other wallet-friendly specials throughout the week such as half-price thickshakes on Tuesdays.

As Chief Brand and Culinary Officer, Neil Perry gives the restaurants culinary direction, working on menu planning, recipe development, training, and quality assurance. He's hands on in all kitchens, including those of Fratelli Famous.

Ground Floor, Westfield Penrith, 585 High Street, Penrith.