Freddy’s

78 Chapel St
Windsor, VIC 3181
https://freddyspizza.com.au/

Freddy’s was a last-minute decision, when I decided I didn’t want to head into the city whilst Melbourne treated us to the last of the winter rains. And given I was looking for something lowkey and comfortable, this was a perfect pick. The folks at Freddy’s are disarmingly casual, welcoming customers like old friends dropping by for dinner, no biggie. But the traditional pizza oven in the back gives away its true pedigree – the food is serious business here, and it smells the part from the moment you come through the door. Freddy’s is the perfect neighbourhood restaurant, the kind of place so effortless it feels like eating in your own home. Except importantly: no dishes.

Rating: 13.5/20 – someone tell me how the pastas are. i assume they’re also excellent.
Really good: calamari fritti.

The Calamari Fritti ($24) hit the spot for something fried yet light, the tender coils lightly dusted with semolina flour, and not a single trace of oil to be seen. And unlike the usual handful of leaves scattered onto the plate as an afterthought, the accompanying rocket salad was elegantly dressed with a light vinaigrette, providing a peppery, bitter contrast to the fried seafood.

Meanwhile, the Mozzarella in Carrozza ($15, 3pcs) hit the spot for something fried and decadent. I initially thought this was a fried sandwich filled with cheese (cheers Google) but nope. Turns out it’s straight up mortadella sandwiched in mozzarella, deep fried. Mind you, it’s impressive how non-greasy this tasted, and though phenomenally enjoyable by itself, it really benefits from the chunky slow-cooked tomato sugo to dip into.

The pies here range from traditional to lamb and hot honey, and we went a bit of a middle route with the Framptonelli ($30) – a more or less traditional take on the capricciosa, complete with ultra-thin base, and a chewy, malty crust. Despite the relative lightness of the toppings, the trio of mushroom, olives, and artichoke built up complex layers of umami flavours, providing depth and balance to the salty slices of fatty pancetta. This hit the spot real good.

Yes of course they have a no-groni on the menu, but I was more excited by the Mango and Mint No-jito ($13). Shame this basically just tasted like a tropical fizzy drink; maybe I should’ve gotten the rosewater spritz instead.