5 OF THE ITALIAN BEST
Now summer is over we’re free to pursue our passion for pasta and pizza. Denise Raward finds five Italian eateries fit for indulgence
GOCCIA ITALIAN PIZZERIA 2375 Gold Coast Highway, Mermaid Beach
This small pizzeria is the passion project of Verona couple Anna Gazzola and Loris Perobello who worked for seven years in fine Italian restaurants in Sydney, learning all they could. On a trip to the Gold Coast, they fell in love with the climate and lifestyle and knew it was the place to open their own pizzeria and restaurant. In a whirlwind six months, locals have claimed Goccia as their own. Anna says it’s because Goccia doesn’t pretend to be what it isn’t. With a pizza oven imported from Verona, it prioritises top quality ingredients and simplicity. “The food is humble, authentic and true and we put all our passion into it,” she says. The must-try dishes are the carpaccio di manzo – raw eye fillet served with rocket and shaved parmesan – and for dessert lovers, the frittelle di mela, a lightly fried apple pastry with vanilla gelato.
TASCA 114 Griffith Street, Coolangatta
Tasca, or “pocket” in Italian, prides itself on its carefully curated wine list featuring biodynamic, organic and low-intervention wines sourced from Italy, Spain and Australia. It’s also serious about its cocktails, with classic Italian aperitifs on the list alongside more fashionable offerings. Owner Carlee Bufalino comes from Sicilian stock and describes the menu as a mix of modern and classic, with a casual, coastal influence. Pumpkin gnocchi is the locals’ favourite.
GEMELLI 2/2685 Gold Coast Highway, Broadbeach
After five years on the Gold Coast, Gemelli has staked its reputation on traditional handmade food. The recipes are straight from Nonna: sauces are slowcooked for more than eight hours, pastas and breads are made from scratch and the wood-fired pizza oven is the heart of the establishment. Gemelli’s general manager Tom Turchut says it’s the attention to detail that keeps diners coming back. “It’s in everything we do, from the food to the wine list to the service.”
RIVEA 89 Surf Parade, Broadbeach
A move across the highway from Pacific Fair has created a semi-alfresco space in the new-look Rivea, perfect for long lunches, afternoon cocktails or dinner. The menu keeps its classic Italian casual dining offerings: house-made pastas, pizza and seafood. Signature favourites include gnocchi with sautéed mushrooms, spinach, asparagus and white wine truffle cream sauce and the porchetta pork belly filled with spicy Italian sausage and pesto. Save room for a dessert pizza.
CUCINA VIVO The Star Gold Coast, 1 Casino Drive, Broadbeach
Inspired by the cliff-top restaurants of the Amalfi coast, Cucina Vivo overlooks a more Gold Coast style water feature, The Star’s tropical pool. It was the first indooroutdoor dining venue to open as part of the casino’s transformation. The woodfired pizza oven is the centerpiece – it’s a show in itself watching the chefs toss the pizza dough in the air. Chefs spend all day preparing the pastas and sauces from scratch. It’s hard to go past meats and fish cooked on the charcoal grill.