Since its establishment in 1994, Woodstock has been a family affair. Family recipes, particularly Sicilian ones, ensure the menu is authentically Italian.

Parmigiana di Melanzane comes with a comforting rich and hearty sauce, and the fried eggplant are tender and melt-in-the-mouth. It’s a beautiful dish that sets high expectations for the rest of our dinner. Today we also try the arancini and gnocchi, still made fresh daily by nonna. As with the parmigiana di melanzane, the sauce in the arancini is rich, and the cheese balances the acidity of the tomatoes. The exterior surface of the arancini is very crisp, and they’re amongst the best I’ve ever had.

We sample the gnocchi special of the day – a spicy number that comes with nduja. I’m always hesitant to order gnocchi, given it usually comes out as quite a stodgy dish. No qualms here. The gnocchi is light and pillowy, easily crushed with the tongue. Three generations’ worth of pizza-making knowledge has been passed down through the family, so it would be remiss to not try Woodstock’s Roman-style pizza. The Porcini pizza with mozzarella, porcini, shaved parmesan, truffle oil and the optional addition of speck is a delight. To finish, we have Pannacotta and a lovely, heady Tiramisu.

Woodstock goes down as one of my favourite restaurants this year, and I’d be up for another visit for that gnocchi any time.

Disclaimer: I was invited to Woodstock Pizzicheria as a guest, however, opinions expressed here are purely my own, and are based on my experience at the time

Woodstock Pizzicheria, The Original Woodstock
612 Nicholson St
Fitzroy North, VIC, 3068
(03) 9489 5294
woodstockpizza.com.au