First we had Tamana’s On Top, then we got the Bollywoodistic Posh Spice occupying the lofty space above the original Tamana’s North Indian Diner and now we have Top Level Woodfired Pizza Bar. Not so long ago the crew from Haberfields La Disfida decided to join in on the fun in downtown Newtown, bringing their know-how along to rev up the pizza game along the strip.
The last time I sat in that room was whilst tucking into some kind of curry and rice, watching with bemusement at people willing to be dragged from their seats and meals to partake in a bit of cultural dancing. Festive music and Bollywood clips on flat screens everywhere you look, and that awkward non-Indian bloke trying to bust a move.
Today the room takes on a very different vibe. Echoes of Bollywood have remained with the brightly coloured walls and dangling metalic mobiles and those distracting flat screens are now covered with patterned fabric. Out with the spice and in with the slice.
A few nibbles are ordered and the first to arrive is the very thin garlic pizza. The entire thing is bubbled and crispy and sprinkled with burnt granules of garlic. Much like a massive round cracker, a tad dry, but nothing a good splodge of ex virg olive oil and sea salt couldn’t have fixed.
On its crusty heels is the mozzarella fritta, a pair of slightly gooey pieces of cheese, lightly crumbed and fried to golden perfection. This is one for the cheese lover, not packed with flavour as mozzarella usually isn’t, but it does go down a treat.
Another fried little goodie is the olive fritte. Black olives dunked into batter and deep-fried. It’s simple, salty, a little juicy and delicious.
The pizza is of the thin-crust variety, traditional and topped with few ingredients. Most of our choices are quite tasty with the mussels on the santa pizza being closer to raw than cooked and the octopus only tasting of vinegar. A cool gelato from Gelatomassi ought to fix that.
{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }
I’ve never seen deep fried olives before! Somehow it sort of defeats the purpose don’t you think? I eat olives because of the delicious olive oil, but I wouldn’t mind trying this version either.
Thin crust and few ingredients is the way I like my pizza. Too bad that the seafood toppings were not that good.
Gaby recently posted..Review- Cafe Newtown
Oh, deep-fried mozzarella! *swoon*
And, ahem, did you happen to be the “awkward non-Indian bloke trying to bust a move”??
mademoiselle délicieuse recently posted..Exceeding expectations at Sakana-Ya
Those olive fritte look really lovely. I was wondering where this place was when someone at work mentioned it last week…and now I know. Thanks.
MelbaToast recently posted..Ms Gs- Potts Point
I remember eating at Posh Spice one night before a salsa lesson. LOL The decor doesn’t look like it’s changed much like you said. The santa pizza looks pretty with the mussels ringed around, but with the shells? I don’t really like olives but the frittes look good. Anything battered and fried right?
Pizza and fried cheese – just a few of my favourite things. Noted to steer clear of the seafood pizza
Tina@foodboozeshoes recently posted..Feeling a bit Parched this March
I have always wanted to taste these fried olives; thin-crusted pizza and a good wine is my idea of heaven.
tasteofbeirut recently posted..Bazin Libya
Ooh! I love the fried olives and mozzarella!
Peter G @ Souvlaki For The Soul recently posted..Photo Friday-Bacon and Eggs
MAMA MIA!! I want 2 slices of that garlic pizza please! But really, all the pizzas are so beautiful looking! I dig charred crust. Hahaa!
maameemoomoo recently posted..Orh Nee Cheesecake Yam Cheesecake
Deep fried olives? I have never heard of that, but they sound wonderful. I have to say, I do prefer a bit more topping on my pizzas though..
Susan recently posted..Morks
We really enjoyed the pizza here (and the olives)….service a bit so so. Reminds me that we do have to visit La Disfida again soon.
Buggles & Squeak recently posted..Review – The Moose Newtown
I dined here and had one of the worse dining experiences EVER!
Enter at own risk.