Mex Cartel, Burleigh – Inside Gold Coast

We need to talk about Crispy Italian Bar and no, this isn’t a watering hole for local signores and signoras who’ve copped too much sun. This brand new hot-off-the-press Burleigh-based trailblazer is introducing a traditional Italian dining concept to our ‘hood, showing the GC why it’s time to look outside the (pizza) box.

Opening last week, Crispy Italian Bar was born out of two friends’ shared passion for their culture and cuisine. In Italy, the term “bar” means a place offering a wide selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, also serving coffee, pastries, and savoury Italian fare. After sampling a slice of the Crispy Italian action first-hand, we’re pleased to confirm that this awesome concept and our GC lifestyle go together like panini and pizzas – which is exactly what they serve.

We simply a-dough passionate owner Riccardo ‘Ricky’ Proserpio for bringing us the ‘bar Italiano’ experience as literally no-one else is doing it here #bravo. He and uber-talented Head Chef Matteo Tricarico don’t just have epic Italian names, but an extensive background in hospitality. With cool factor and charm in equal measure, this modern take on a traditional fave looks and feels as good as its nosh and sips.

As you cruise down the GC Highway at Burleigh, the striking red and white umbrellas and festoon lights grab your attention and give you a whiff of what awaits inside. Once you step into this incredible space, you’ll find a multisensory wonderland filled with Southern European goodness.

With an authentic red and white aesthetic sprinkled with dashes of yellow and green, it’s everything we want from an Italian joint. Think red and white grid tiles, funky red couch wall seating and matching stools, and one of our fave wall murals, like, ever. Giving a nod to the quintessential bar Italiano experience, amazing artist Lau Longone has flexed her painting prowess with olive vines, lemons, tomatoes, red red wiiiiiiiiine, a giant pizza, and the hero – Crispy Italian Bar’s signature chilli.

Let’s start at the bar shall we and duh, obvs. Those keen on a caffeine hit can order from the exclusive premium selection of coffee-based bevs, like a traditional Italian Cappuccino served with their exclusive Attibassi premium coffee blend. Naturally there’s a hearty wine list, plus a selection of beers, soft drinks and juices.

What we really love is the Digestivo menu with the likes of Limoncello, Frangelico, Amaretto Disaronno and all the ‘o’s. And what we really really love are the cocktails and no-one does an Aperol Spritz like the Italians! The failsafe blend on of Prosecco, sparkling water, Aperol served with ice & orange slice is the perf sunset sip, before moving into their signature cocktail, the Espresso Martini with a shot of coffee, Kahlua and vodka. Salute!

The wood fired pizza oven not only looks the part, but churns out the most flavoursome pizzas and paninis you ever did nom. From the brunch menu, we’re ordering the Panino Goloso Wood Fired Panini with melted mozzarella, smoked leg ham, premium champignon mushrooms, artichokes and special crispy sauce. Or for something with a bit of a mash-up, how about an Australiano Wood Fired Panini with avocado, carbonara sauce, melted mozzarella, crispy sauce, bacon and our national spread; vegemite.

Fast forward to night-time and the dinner menu is lit. Who can go past an entrée of Burrata Cheese and sure as heck not us. We’re talking homemade bread with Nonna’s secret recipe marinated cherry tomatoes, fresh basil, vegan pesto, burrata cheese and extra virgin oil, and srsly, they had us at Nonna.

Then, it’s pizza o-clock and we’re crushing hard on the Mezzanotte Wood Fired Pizza with a tomato base, mozzarella cheese, Italian mushrooms, gorgonzola cheese and shaved parmesan. We strongly recommend the Bella Carne which also boasts a tomato base and mozzarella cheese, along with mild salami, Italian pork fennel sausage, and premium leg ham. Which brings us to dessert time and shut.the.door coz they make a Nutellami with folded Nutella stuffed pizza, topped with icing sugar, whipped cream and chocolate pralines #WeDie.

So if it’s freshly sourced local ingredients beautifully cooked in a wood fired oven, a coffee at any time of day or an aperitivo at sunset, every pizza you will love Crispy Italian Bar.

Where: 4/1840 Gold Coast Highway, Burleigh Heads
When: 9am – 10pm Friday & Saturday, 9am – 9pm Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday. Closed Monday.

Words by Bianca Trathen.
Images by Belinda Symons.