THE WHARF’S WOOD-FIRED PIZZA
Top End chef David Taylor gives you a taste of the good tucker to be found in the Territory
Il Lido Bar/Pizza
ADDRESS 19 Kitchener Dve, Waterfront Precinct, Darwin PHONE 8941 0900 OWNER Pina Sommerville and Darren Lynch CHEF TBA SNACKS $6-$11 PIZZAS AND BURGERS $18- $26 OPEN 7 days all day and night STAR QUALITY 4.1/5
Ireally like this neck of the woods. The waterfront is almost like escaping the real Darwin, It’s smart, chic and modern, giving off a big city vibe. Il Lido was originally the name for the bar, wood-fired pizzas and what is now Wharf One.
Il Lido now aims for a more casual, lighthearted crowd looking for simple fun meals and wonderful and amusing cocktails.
Perfect for a starting or finishing party time venue. In fact most who start here end up staying and abandoning any ideas of moving on for the night.
If you manage to get a booth table, it is perfectly understandable that you set up shop as they are super comfy. Overlooking the big swimming pond, with fans to keep you cool, It is a perfect chill-out space.
Four of us were on a pizza super drive this night and decided to put the wood-fired oven to the test.
Our friends who have been here a few times ordered haloumi chips with aioli and a side salad or rocket greens and pear. A pleasant bottle of Chilean soft red worked a treat.
Firstly, we need to point out the very good base. A good pizza is as only good as the dough that starts it.
Il Lido has got this down pat. I recall they brought in a team of chefs from Italy to teach us how it’s really done. Thin, but not a wafer, crispy browned bottom and sides and a tender chewy middle. Perfect.
I got the spicy handorf salami with buffalo mozzarella and chilli flakes. House made tomato sauce was herbaceous and very tasty.
I got a taste of the pork belly; this was with extra smoky bacon, and toffee apple and the combo was like a Sunday night pork roast with crackling and crunchy apple sauce.
The truffled mushroom was quite a feast of earthy flavours with a sharp hit of bitterness from the rocket greens.
In all, it was a pleasant relaxed meal in very comfy surrounds. The bar was kept busy whipping up wild and wonderful creations for a neighboring table of revelers.
The paddles of sliders heading their way looked like fun too.
I noted too that in a most Territorian tradition, they have a “metrey” on the menu.
Not a barra but a metre-long pizza to share with a small mob.
Oh, and I have to mention the barbecue ribs are excellent, according to a workmate. She lived the States, so says she is amply qualified to judge.
Uncomplicated, straightforward, wellprepared food from the best ingredients on offer will always produce good food.
Nice work Team Il Lido.