Vacanza in the Hills may be situated on the busy corner of Fitzroy and Bourke Streets, Surry Hills, but the simple, authentic dishes served here will take you on a culinary holiday to Southern Italy. The first of the Vacanza venues opened in Sydney’s Bronte in 2010 with Vacanza in the Hills following just two years later.
Nick Gilbert is a self-confessed pizza fanatic who is the owner and operator of the restaurants. His passion for good pizza took him on a journey of learning and discovery to Southern Italy. It was here where he studied the art of traditional pizza-making and returned to open the first of his Pizzerias, which he named “Vacanza” meaning “Holiday” in Italian.
Gilbert has instilled the great Italian philosophy of “less is more” across the pizza menu and chosen the highest quality ingredients sourced from both local and Italian produce. His choice of oven is no different, only the most innovative equipment with the most authentic results will do.
The Moretti Forni Amalfi is a high quality Italian made deck oven. The Amalfi was chosen for use in the Bronte kitchen and after such great results and reliability the same oven was chosen to be installed in the kitchen in The Hills. Offering both dine in and take away options, pizzas from the busy inner-city restaurant are often in high demand. The ovens have been reputable in delivering quality every time, even under pressure.
Although the pizzas are cooked in an electric oven, the reviews of the authentic pizzas come flowing in with praise for the thin crispy base and the perfect ratio of toppings. The pizza menu contains eight carefully designed pizzas that range from the classic Margherita through to the more adventurous Il Capitano dressed with pork and fennel sausage, truffle oil, goats’ cheese and roasted mushrooms.
The rustic meets modern décor and soothing lighting creates a casual atmosphere with just enough hustle to allow for a good laugh over a pizza. Although the location of Vacanza in the hills is ideal for observing Sydney-siders pass by both on foot and by car, the food here will take you away from Sydney for a few moments, on a Vacanza to the South of Italy.