The Pizzantica story is one of slow and steady growth. After building a cult following behind its roaming pizza-slinging 1978 Volkswagen kombi, the Pizzantica crew – helmed by Luca Ferone and Michelangelo and Renzo Renda – gradually expanded Pizzantica’s presence across town with a string of low-key yet enticing concepts. First there was the long-running trattoria at Casa Italia Community Centre in New Farm, which was followed by Clayfield dispensary Amalfi Pizzeria and then The Cedar Social in Ferny Hills. Though these pop-up takeover-style operations proved popular, the Pizzantica brains trust had a vision of opening a flagship restaurant it could call its own – nothing high end, just a polished setting where the team could showcase a comprehensive Italian-style dining experience. Antica, the team’s newly open pizzeria and kitchen in Wilston, is just that. Located on Kedron Brook Road, Antica is a snazzy eatery that caters perfectly to romantic date nights and rambunctious family dinners alike. The site, previously home to Sichuan Bang Bang and Pizzeria Violetta, has undergone a significant refurbishment that saw two halves brought together into one 186-sqm space encompassing a main dining floor, bar, pizza station, kitchen and casual outdoor seating area. A dark colour palette has been exchanged for one imbued with warmth, with the team taking cues from earthy Tuscan-style trattorias and Roman street-style vendors for Antica’s colour palette of green and marigold, which is accented by the venue’s timber furnishings, intricate tiling and light fixtures.
Antica’s fare builds upon Pizzantica’s beloved menu, adding to its selection of crowd-pleasing signatures with a few enticing extras. The menu seamlessly blends pizzeria and trattoria-style eats together, creating a comprehensive offering of antipasti, pizza, pasta, secondi, contorni and dolci, with something to suit most tastes. When it comes to antipasti, one new dish is particularly noteworthy – a giant 400-g burrata (sourced from Brisbane-based artisanal cheesemaker Casa Motta) served with figs, truffle honey and prosciutto. Pizzantica’s full range of delightfully thin red- and white-base pizzas (cooked in Antica’s imported Pavesi Forni Modena pizza oven) are available, in addition to a special pizza lunga – a long pizza layered with two kinds of topping that’s perfect for groups. As for the pasta selection, guests can devour the signature Moreton Bay bug linguine, serves of truffle mushroom gnocchi, duck ragu ravioli and traditional bolognese, while mains like chicken saltimbocca are perfect for anyone eager to sample hearty Italian specialties. Antica is also catering to diners with dietary requirements, with an impressive selection of vegan eats available (including a tantalising deconstructed tiramisu) alongside gluten-free pizzas. The bar is stocked with a sizeable selection of wines, with Italian varieties from the country’s renowned regions well represented across the list. Cocktails are also a focus, with specialties like a tiramisu martini and cask-aged negroni available in addition to traditional spritzes, martinis and aperitifs, as well as mocktails made using Lyre’s non-alcoholic spirits.
Antica Pizzeria is now open to the public. For contact and booking details, head over to the Stumble Guide.
