Zero95 Pizza Bar Alphington

Post

Subscribe

Alphington Paper Mill was replaced by a gleaming tower so tall that residents can watch planes circle Melbourne Airport from their balconies in the heart of suburbia.

Nestled behind this tower is a planned community few have ventured into. The residential precinct of YarraBend is home to 1300 residencies, including townhouses, apartments, and riverfront homes. A work-in-progress infrastructure, including shops, supermarkets and restaurants, is being built to serve this community.

Billed as The World's Most Livable Suburb, social cohesion is fostered through a Facebook page and app.

Recently, there was an announcement: one of the first restaurants in the complex, Zero95, a woodfire pizza restaurant (with branches in Doncaster and Dromana), was opening and inviting residents and others to attend the opening.



While I was an "other," the first thing I noted about Zero95 was its determination to become part of this vibrant community while still opening a restaurant that would be available to the broader community.

Pizza lovers already know Zero95 for its authentic Neapolitan-style pizzas baked in woodfired ovens as used in Napoli.

The restaurant's name comes from 095, the area code for a small town with a rich cultural and culinary history on the East Coast of Sicily called Catania.

This cooking style gives their pizza a unique flavour and crispy crust. Biting into one means moreish centres with fresh ingredients and the crunch of the perfectly charred edges.

At Zero95, sharing a pizza is not just a meal. It's a cultural exchange that fosters a sense of togetherness—exactly what individuals and a community need.

The owners of Zero95 demonstrated their generosity by hosting a large number of people at the inaugural party. Over 200 guests were warmly welcomed, richly fed, and liberally watered, making everyone feel like a valued part of the community.



The bartenders turned out Aperol Spritzs, glasses of Italian Prosecco, wines and beers and a range of San Pellegrino drinks, including Limonata, Aranciata Rossa, Chinotto & Pomegranate/Orange.

Then there was the food, with people topping their plates with freshly shucked oysters, Italian meatballs in tomato sugo, Italian cured meats, the ham carved in front of you, polenta wedges, and arancini, amongst other delights.



No skimping. Generous, warm Italian hospitality. Endless pizzas emerged from the woodfired pizza. The oven that had been imported from Naples.



The quality of the ingredients at Zero95 is outstanding. Each dish is a testament to the restaurant's commitment to excellence. I would drive back to Zero95 in a heartbeat for another plate of their olives, the best I've ever tasted.



The set-up is different from other restaurants. Yes, ample indoor seating for up to 80, a bar area, and 60-seat outdoor seating for al fresco dining, but wide open doors face what might described in this context as a village piazza.

Artisan Park has a lush lawn and playground and is the perfect spot for picnics and play dates. Surrounding the area is innovative architecture, which is glorious to behold.



Alongside a reputation for creating the world's best Margherita pizza menu, Zero95 has other favourites, including Spaghettini Pescatore al Cartoccio, homemade baked gnocchi, fresh pasta, calamari, salumi boards, cannoli, and tiramisu – and an impressive array of classic and signature cocktails.



The Italian artisan gelateria Meno Zero is connected seamlessly to Zero95 through an open doorway and offers gelato and dolce flavours to swoon for. We left cradling cups of Pistachio Gelato – sweet and creamy with subtle hints of nuttiness.



You can't see Zero95 or Meno Zero from Chandler Highway, but simply turn into Mills Boulevard, and you will find these new hidden culinary delights. This adventure is also a chance to explore a new slice of modern inner-city living. Enjoy looking at the interesting architecture as you walk down to the Yarra River as the new enclave of YarraBend has 300 metres of riverside frontage that also merges with other trails.

39 Mills Boulevard
Alphington 3078 VIC

PH: 0468 881 064



Website

%wnmelbourne
#food_drink
#outdoor
#family_friendly
#community
#nightlife
#alphington
#pizza
#italian_restaurant