Puffy, chewy, a gentle crunch as well as a soft gooey centre – it’s the ideal Neapolitan pizza crust as well as it’s impossible to perfect. impossible unless your name is Lucio De Falco – owner of Sydney organization Lucio Pizzeria in Darlinghurst.

As the Harbour Bridge has always spanned the city’s sparkling waters, as well as the sails of the Opera home have permanently craned their necks for the view, so it seems that Lucio’s has been in Sydney because the beginning.

I mean, imagining a Sydney without any type of of these three landmarks is imagining a different Sydney altogether.

Since showing up in Sydney when he was just 21, Lucio has been making the finest pizza in the country.

In fact, in 2018 Lucio won finest pizza in Australia at the Campionato Mondiale Della Pizza in Parma. He was likewise awarded fifth finest pizza in the world.

And these accolades make absolute sense. All you have to do is try one of his masterpieces.

These days, there are two Lucio Pizzerias in Sydney – one in Darlinghurst and, because 2015, one in Zetland. however the original in Darlinghurst is where you truly sense that Napolitano soul.

Lucky numbers, ideal pizzas as well as totally free dinners – Lucio Pizzeria turns 13

Unlike the rest of the world, Italy believes that 13 is a lucky number. The phone call of ho fatto tredici! – I have thirteen – is a preferred expression when somebody hits the jackpot.

We’ve got the whole story about exactly how 13 isn’t poor luck in Italy (but why 17 is) best right here – it’s an fascinating tale.

But this event isn’t just about a lucky number.

Not only has Lucio survived the hospitality-crushing impacts of 2020, his infant has just ended up being a teenager as well. Of program he ought to celebrate.

And in true Italian style, Lucio wishes to celebrate with everyone!

So if you’re likewise celebrating 13 – whether it’s a birthday, wedding event anniversary or if you celebrate the 13th of the month for whatever reason, Lucio is inviting you to find as well as eat for free! inspect out the offer here.

Christina as well as I have just started our thirteenth year of being married, so we feel a bit of connection with Lucio’s. even much more so when I believe we’re all on the exact same wavelength when it concerns food.

The dinner we delighted in in Darlinghurst just recently was excellent. as well as we got to chat to Lucio about Naples, food as well as his plans for the future as well.

Dining at Lucio’s Darlinghurst

The very first thing that strikes us as we sit down at our al fresco table in the courtyard on Palmer street is exactly how extremely much like Naples it feels.

There are neither bells nor whistles here, as well as in a great way.

It’s a true reflection not only in the authenticity of the food, however likewise Lucio’s down-to-earth character as well as his confidence in his food.

Sitting right here with whatever going on around us, we’re transported to the alleyway dining as well as true Italian-ness of Naples. It’s a fantastic city – a living museum. It’s great to feel we’re back.

The only difference right here is that there are printed menus, which makes ordering much easier!

The food

For entree, we purchase the burrata con pan gratatto e spinaci. sitting atop a stack of wilted spinach as well as covered in the crunchy crumbs of gratatto, this huge, marvelous balloon of milky cheese bursts at the merest touch.

Decadent as well as delightful, yet easy as well as completely balanced. That’s Italian cooking for you.

We likewise try the casarecce con ragú d’angello. All made in-house, this is a genuine southern Italian dish. Spirals of firm, chewy pasta embracing the rich, unctuous slow-cooked lamb take on as well as its dark tomato sauce.

The casarecce right here is different to the stuff we’ve had before. It’s made from tighter twists than fusilli however looser than those we’ve discovered even more east in Puglia. It’s outstanding nonetheless.

Finally we have the pizza from the monthly specials board. I’ve ended up being consumed with n’duja, so this pizza was an simple option for me. If you haven’t had it before, n’duja is a very rich meat that’s soft as well as crumbly as well as turns to practically a sauce when you warm it.

It’s a conventional spicy sausage from southern Italy, however it’s only now ending up being understood somewhere else in the world.

This pizza – together with n’duja – has mozzarella as well as fresh ricotta. as well as it’s nothing short of perfect.

In true Neapolitan style, the edges of the pizza are rather puffy as well as ‘deep pan’ however it’s not dense. The centre is soft as well as gooey, however it’s not undercooked, which is something people tend to believe the very first time they have southern-style pizza.

Thin as well as crispy is not Naples’ style whatsoever as well as I question it ever will be.

We surface off with a caffè corretto. This isa easy espresso ‘corrected’ with a shot of grappa – certainly my type of dessert.

We leave feeling extremely satisfied, however still missing Italy hard.

It was fantastic to chat to Lucio, to hear his story as well as have a laugh.

Next up for Lucio

In mid-2021 Lucio’s pizzeria pair will ended up being a trio, with a new location opening in Kensington called Bar Lucio.

This will be a conventional Italian cafe providing appropriate Italian coffee as well as some traditional Aussie breakfast as well as lunch snacks. The ideal storm.

We dined as guests of Lucio’s however our opinions stay our own.