Gigi Pizzeria, Newtown

 The pizza festivities continue to our next destination Gigi Pizzeria [(379 King Street, Newtown), no real website] which is located only a couple of blocks from Newtown Station. Patty and I decide to take a break from third wheel tryouts and hence we become the lonely twosome for the night. Unfortunately, Gigi's doesn't take any bookings so Patty and I had to head in early in order to beat fellow pizza hunters to the door. We went in a little sceptical because Patty had found some ordinary recent reviews of Gigi's prior to us heading there, but who doesn't get keen for pizza!?

 

 

 We were seated on a cosy two seater, banked against a wall toward the back end of the restaurant where the best part of the restaurant's atmosphere seemed to linger. The wait staff were quick to give us the altered menus for the night (which was also chalked onto their blackboards) and remained quite helpful throughout the night (there was quite an attractive waitress that I had quickly developed a crush for too, much to the delight of Patty).

 

Menu on the blackboard

Menu

 

  The selection of pizzas for the night included:

• Margherita -

          San Marzano Tomato, Buffalo Mozzarella & Fresh Basil

• Marinara Tradizionale -

          San Marzano Tomato, Garlic, & Fresh Oregano

• Salsiccia e Friarielli -

          Buffalo Mozzarella, Italian Sausage & Broccoli Friarielli

• Filleti -

          Buffalo Mozzarella, Cheery Tomatoes, Garlic & Fresh Basil

• Fiori di Zucca -

          Ricotta, Buffalo Mozzarella, Fried Zucchini Flowers, Cherry Tomatoes & Fresh Basil

• Melanzane -

          San Marzano Tomato, Buffalo Mozzarella, Eggplant, Ricotta Salata & Fresh Basil

• Funghi -

          Ham, Cream, Buffalo Mozzarella, Swiss Brown Mushrooms, Fresh Basil & Parmigiano Reggiano

• Salame Piccante -

          San Marzano Tomato, Smoked Scamorza, Ricotta, Hot Salami, Rocket & Parmigiano Reggiano

and there was also a Nutella Panzerotti for dessert, but more on that later!

 We order our pizzas and also grab a couple of drinks as well. Patty has a 'Kasaura Trebbiano D'Abruzzo' (white) which didn't really have much flavour and I elect for an organic Phoenix Ginger Beer.

Our drinks + tube of water

 Before our pizzas arrived there were arancinis (risotto filled ball with mozzarella, fried and coated in breadcrumbs) being handed out to each table for sampling. Patty and I couldn't get our hands on them quickly enough and savagely dug into them. They were quite delicious and it was an excellent idea to get customers coming back by giving free samples. Later during the night we helped ourselves to more and they also offered batches of breadsticks with cans of anchovies that we had to reject because we were too full.

Arancini Ball
Risotto, Mozzarella

 

 Not long afterwards, our pizzas arrived at the table, much to the delight of hungry Patty. Buffalo Bernard went for more of his favourite cheese and helped himself to the Filleti, which was a Margherita with added garlic. The toppings itself were pretty nice and fresh but nothing outstanding. Unfortunately the pizza base for Patty and I seemed a bit much and wasn't as fluffy or soft as the pizzerias I have blogged prior to this. Nevertheless it still tasted good and I liked the idea of each pizza being finished off with a good drizzle of olive oil before being served.

Filleti
Buffalo Mozzarella, Cherry Tomatoes, Garlic & Fresh Basil

 

 

 Patty ordered the Salame Piccante, which had the largest range of toppings out of all the pizzas. Some hot salami coupled with smoked scamorza (similar to mozzarella) and ricotta and then topped with parmigiano reggiano (parmesan) and rocket, what's not to like! The toppings together made a really flavourful combination but we struggled to finish off our thickish crusts that became more of a nuisance, rather than pleasure to eat. In saying that, the quality of the base is definitely not like Pizza Hut standard but in comparison to the other Napoletana pizzerias around it doesn't fair too well.  

 

 

Salame Piccante
 San Marzano Tomato, Smoked Scamorza, Ricotta,
Hot Salami, Rocket & Parmigiano Reggiano

 

 

 For dessert we order a scrumptious serving of Nutella Panzerotti (small versions of calzone - closed pizzas) for $10. There was literally nothing to fault about this dessert and it was so good that I imagined myself as a little figure climbing the berry mountain and standing on top of the panzerotti itself. The outside of the panzerotti tasted much like a soft doughnut and inside the pillow was liquidy, gooey nutella staring you in the face. The fresh assortment of blueberries, raspberries and strawberries accompanied with a scoop of vanilla ice cream topped off the dessert in the best way possible. I'll probably be dreaming of this once I get to bed.

 

Nutella Panzerotti
Fried Panzerotti filled with Nutella,
Homemade Vanilla Gelato & Berry Compote

 

 

 

 As The Sydney Pizza Festival draws to a close, so too does our adventure to experience some of Sydney's best pizza (we missed out on Lucio's Pizzeria but I'll be there soon!). Gigi Pizzeria is our final pit stop for now and although the pizza itself was nothing too special, both Patty and I left feeling satisfied with the meal. This was probably due to the free samples and the extraordinarily good dessert, but nevertheless it still counts.


Bunny Rating-
Category: Pizza Festival

Magnum Sydney Pleasure Store, Westfield Sydney

 I am joined by my partner in crime (Pat) to adventure into a not so secret chocolate haven that is the Magnum Sydney Pleasure Store (Ground Level, Westfield Sydney) open from 16th July - 25th August 2013. Have you ever felt like changing the bits and pieces that nestle within the crispy chocolate coating on your magnum?

No? Nor have I.

 Anyhow, the public are now 'free' (wait no, it actually costs $7) to customise their own, with the 'Make My Magnum' experience! Essentially, there are three simple steps to take to create your very own magnum;

Step 1 - Choose your chocolate coating from:

• White Chocolate
• Milk Chocolate
• Dark Chocolate

Step 2 - Choose 3-4 toppings:

• Chopped Hazelnuts
• Chopped Macadamias
• Chopped Almonds
• Chopped Pistachios
• Crumbled Biscuit
• Chocolate Flakes
• Chocolate Sprinkles 
• Honeycomb Pieces
• Dried Strawberries
• Dried Raspberries
• Toasted Coconut Flakes
• Goji Berries
• Crumbled Meringue
• Rose Praline
• Crushed Chocolate-Coated Coffee Beans
• Rose Petals
• Rock Sea Salt
• Popping Candy

 Step 3 - Drizzle with your choice of:

• White Chocolate
• Milk Chocolate
• Dark Chocolate

Cue; a tonne of photos (the line was quite long, so I took a lot):

 

 It's probably important to note that payment is processed through CASH ONLY and that the store gets very busy, with a line twisting and turning its way through Westfield. After making up your mind for a chocolate coating/drizzle and combination of toppings, you are horseshoed around the store whilst simultaneously staring at the staff assembling the magnum (sort of like subway, but not as fresh).

Menu

 The selection of toppings you pick are added into a 'magnum' martini shaker as an uncoated vanilla magnum is dunked into a pool of white, milk or dark chocolate (the only thing from stopping me swimming in the chocolate was the display glass). After the magnum takes a swim, the toppings are carefully sprinkled on top and then finished with a patterned drizzle of more chocolate! For a stamp of approval, a milk or white magnum button is added onto the base of the snack turned meal.

Freezer with the uncoated vanilla magnums

 Pat and I were undoubtedly keen to dig into our creations and we held very high expectations that were quickly dashed after the first bite. After setting, the chocolate coating became really thick and a little bit chewy, instead of crisp like a store bought Magnum. We sort of struggled our way through it, not quite sure what it tasted like. The ratio of chocolate to ice cream became a bit too much and we both had to get some water afterwards to wash the richness down. Even though it didn't taste the greatest, the presentation was so nice.

Dark Chocolate Coating with Milk Chocolate Drizzle
Crumbled Biscuit, Chocolate Sprinkles,
Honeycomb Pieces, Crumbled Meringue

Once it sets

On the underside

White Chocolate Coating with Milk Chocolate Drizzle
Crumbled Biscuit, Honeycomb Pieces,
Dried Strawberries, Crumbled Meringue

Yeah, good one Pat

  As mentioned before, the sweetness was a little overpowering and for some it got the better of them.

Victims of Magnum

 After digesting the block of sugar, we bumped into Patty (who was with a few of her high school friends) cheating on our food blog by going to the Magnum Pleasure Store without us. But with Pat and I being the nice detectives we are, she was only let off with a warning.

Rainbow, Morn, Patty, Ricky

 The Magnum Pleasure Store is the talk of town at the moment and everyone is flocking in to experience a one of a kind ice cream. Even though the product itself wasn't really the best and in most ways sickening, we all agreed that the concept itself was worth the visit anyways. They really pushed forward the 'Make My Magnum Experience' which made it exciting to be part of, however the end product was a little off. It'd be nice if Ben & Jerry's had a concept store similar to this one, with some custom toppings and bits mixed into ice cream on the spot (like cold rock!).


Bunny Rating-

Opening Hours:

Monday-Wednesday, Friday, Saturday: 9.30am - 6.30pm
Thursday: 9.30am - 9.00pm
Sunday: 10.00am - 6.00pm