Via Napoli owner to open new Roman-style pizzeria in Surry Hills

An Italian pizzeria by Via Napoli owner and pizza aficionado Luigi Esposito is opening soon in the heart of Surry Hills.

Located in a prime location on the corner of Crown and Foveaux streets, 170 Grammi will serve up some of the only “la tonda Romana” or Roman-style round pizza in Sydney.

Named after the weight of each ball of dough, the pizzas will be thinner and crunchier than the traditional Verace Neapolitan-style varieties from Naples. 

Esposito, who has more than 35 years’ experience in pizza making and will be running the kitchen at the venue, said he was excited to introduce something new to diners.

“Sydneysiders love their pizza, so we wanted to give them an alternative style that showcases another beautiful part of Italy,” he said.

Rome also has special significance for Esposito, whose wife’s family are from the region.

“I really wanted to acknowledge her heritage through the business,” he said, adding one of the pizzas would feature his father-in-law’s porchetta recipe.

Roman-style pizzas are known for being served by the slice or as a rectangle, but 170 Grammi is bringing back the forgotten round classic from the 1950s, or “la scrocchiarella” in Italian, style.

“It’s really unique,” he said.

“The thin crust going crunch with every bite matches perfectly with the freshness and flavours of the toppings, which melt in your mouth.”

The 60-seat venue will feature a mix of indoor and outdoor seating, as well as a long bar with counter seating that stretches back to the 1.9-tonne pizza oven that was handmade in Italy.

Esposito said while the pizzas would be slightly different to what diners had come to expect from his owner venues, their warm and lively atmosphere would also be a hallmark of 170 Grammi.

“For me it’s about the happiness and joy that comes from bringing people together to eat,” he said, adding diners could expect a casual experience filled with good food, music and wine.

Esposito said he also had a deep love for the venue itself.

“It has a piece of my heart,” he said, adding he had hung onto it after relocating his Pizza Fritta 180 to be next to Via Napoli further down the street.

“It’s on the corner, it’s bright and it’s next to so many iconic places like Gelato Messina and The Dolphin.”

170 Grammi is set to open in late May-early June and will be open for dinner from Wednesday to Sunday.