Arrivederci Pizza — Restaurant in Brisbane City

FOOD & DRINK I started with a schooner of one of my favourite ales: “Little Creatures pale ale”, while my wife chose a cold drink. For our meals, we shared a rocket salad, a vegetarian pizza and a “Romana” pizza. Having read many reviews of this place, I was expecting something special and I wasn’t disappointed. The salad was smallish, but nicely presented, with rocket, thin, long slices of parmesan cheese, and smothered in olive oil. The perfect way to start the meal. The pizzas were square, with thick, chunky bases. The “Romana” had lashings of flavoursome bocconcini cheese, plus olives, basil, pesto and my all-time fav topping, spicy anchovies. The vegetarian had an interesting variety of ingredients including mushrooms, onion, capsicum, pesto and herbs, and we opted to add anchovies to that as well (that’s an extra 2 pesos). Both pizzas were fresh, tasty and filling. The serving sizes were generous.

AMBIENCE This place is clearly popular with the locals, because despite it being a Monday, which traditionally is a quiet night for restaurants, there were plenty of diners at Arrivederci, to give it a nice, happy vibe. Probably it has something also to do with the “Monday Madness” specials, a clever marketing tool to bring in the crowds on what would otherwise be a slow night. The space is large and airy, with indoor and outdoor seating. Being a warm spring night, we choose an outdoor table. Decor is standard “Italian Pizzeria” style with white and red checked tablecloths and colourful, cheerful decor, bright lighting and an interesting selection of flags on the ceiling. This works well, to create a fun, lively and energetic atmosphere, but it’s casual, informal and relaxed.

SERVICE Service was excellent from the bevy of pretty young waitresses. They’re casually attired in jeans and t-shirts, but you couldn’t find a nicer bunch than these guys. They were super friendly, helpful and attentive, and made us feel welcome the moment we arrived. Orders were promptly taken and the drinks came out quicksmart. Then followed a wait of about 15 minutes before our salad entree appeared, but that was followed soon afterwards by the main event. Food is freshly prepared in the pizza ovens and it’s all delivered to the table piping hot on smart white crockery. This place hums like a well oiled machine and, despite the crowds, the evening flowed smoothly from beginning to end. We arrived at about 6.20pm and within an hour we were done. That’s just the way we like it.

COMFORT The furniture is fairly utilitarian with metal chairs and wooden tables, just large enough to fit all the dishes and the drinks. Being a balmy night, we were quite comfy sitting outside, obviously, in winter, indoors would be the only option. Tables are well spaced out making for good acoustics, and we were easily able to converse.

TOILETS Toilets are in the car park at the back of the restaurant, which isn’t ideal especially as no key is required so in effect they’re open for anybody to use. There was only one male cubicle and one female cubicle, clearly not adequate for a popular restaurant like this one and it’s no fun waiting for your turn in the car park. They were clean and well provisioned though, but the aging hand dryer is well overdue for a replacement to the more modern, faster ones.

COST We paid a reasonable 53 pesos for a single beer, a cold drink, two pizzas (one with extra anchovies) and a salad. That's solid value for money in these hyperinflationary times, where a small cup of coffee now sets you back at least 4 pesos. But of course, this was “Monday Madness”, where all 25cm pizzas are 14 and tap beers 7. On any other night, expect to pay around 22 for your pizzas and 10 or 11 for a schooner of tap beer.

SUMMARY We had a pleasant evening here on a busy Monday. Food was excellent and served in generous portions. Service was fast, polite and efficient from a group of lovely, friendly young lady servers. Ambience is relaxed and casual; the perfect place to enjoy a laid back evening with family or friends. There's easy street...

Excellent Italian food, good atmosphere, great staff.

We brought our grandchildren here so they could experience proper Italian food, not cheap tourist food.

We are in the process of introducing them to a wide range of cuisines so they can tell the difference between good food and the junk most kids (and many adults) eat. Good food doesn't have to be expensive.

Here at Arrivederci you order the pizza by the metre or part thereof, because it's rectangular and not round. It's very cool seeing a large table group order and then receive several metres of pizza at once.

We had the fettucini carbonara, 25cm of arrivederci special pizza and the same of marinara pizza.

All were superb. Servings are generous. The pizza base is light but still firm, and the toppings are piled quite high. Really recommend the arrivederci special pizza, number 7 I think. The pesto base was the secret I think.

The carbonara was easily 10/10. Delicious, creamy, perfect pasta texture. Not goopy like many places who think they are serving carbonara. My 9 to granddaughter loved the carbonara so much she begged to be able to take the leftovers home. If that's not an endorsement I don't know what is.

Kids has soft drinks or juice. We washed our food down with some Moretti beer and a perfectly matched Chianti.

For those so inclined there are huge screens for live football (all codes). It was filled with all the noises of people enjoying themselves, just like a trattoria should be.

Parking is limited in the whole Park Rd area. Private paking is quite expensive. We parked 2 streets away (5 minute walk).

A great evening, very easy...

It never ceases to amaze me when pizza is done as per my request - well done and crispy. To me, it’s a simple request of leaving the pizza in the oven a little longer. I always appreciate when a pizzeria gets it right!

Requested a well done, crispy cheese and garlic focaccia - got that. It was flavoursome and a generous portion. So much so, there was enough to take back home!

The other main was a peri chicken which I was advised was tasty and filling.

I requested a small entree size portion of pasta and the wait staff suggested that although a vege option wasn’t on the menu for a kids meal, they could do a kids size in some cream sauce with olives. Perfect, just perfect. Just what I wanted. This was delicious as well. Simple and flavoursome.

Thanks Arrivederci; we were a late night request at 8.50 pm as our intended Cooparoo restaurant closed early due to staff shortage. We arrived at 9.15 pm on a Sunday night and you looked after us. No wonder you’re popular with the locals as even though your staff were cleaning up the inside part, there were at least 3 takeaway requests at 9.35 pm that your kitchen looked after. That was impressive.

I’m glad we thought of you guys and called as it was a delightful meal and the service was wonderful too. Although it’s been a few years since we’ve been, we hope to return again soon on an intended...