Pizzeria Officina: A Unique Dining Experience in Canberra
Canberra's newest pizzeria, Pizzeria Officina, is a converted garage with a unique, automotive-themed interior. The pizzeria's temporary setup, with its rough and ready decor, is a far cry from the usual fancy fit-outs. The owners, also behind Terra and Recess, have opted for a low-key approach, avoiding long-term investments in equipment and fancy interiors.
The menu features classic and custom pizzas, with a unique twist. The Surf n' Turf pizza, with prawns, nduja salami, and stracciatella cheese, is a standout dish. The vodka tomato base adds a unique flavor, with the stracciatella cheese providing a cool, creamy contrast to the hot, spicy nduja salami.
The Big Mac pizza, a playful take on the classic burger, is a bit of a miss. The 'mac sauce' might have been better applied on top of the shredded lettuce, which would have helped it stay in place. However, the Surf n' Turf pizza is a definite winner, with evenly distributed prawns and a tasty tomato vodka base.
One of the best parts of the dining experience is the addition of dipping sauces for the pizza crusts. The garlic mayo was a hit, making it easy to finish the crusts. The side salad, with endive, woodfired peach, parmesan, and tarragon vinaigrette, was a bit of a miss, with the peach needing more ripening or woodfiring.
The price tag for the pizzas is a bit steep, with expectations running high. However, the overall experience is fun and kitsch, with a self-referential twist. The drinks menu from Bar Outro, located next door, is available at the pizza shop, and pizzas can also be ordered at the bar.
Pizzeria Officina is located at 4/9 Lonsdale St, Braddon, and is open from 5 to 9 pm on Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday, and from 5 pm to 10 pm on Friday and Saturday. They are also open for lunch from 12 noon to 2.30 pm on weekends. Follow them on Instagram for more updates.
