Review: Tregan Borg at Kiosk D’Asporto, Williamstown beach

Pizza D’Asporto
71 Kororoit Creek Rd, Williamstown
http://www.pizzadasporto.com.au

Kiosk D’Asporto
Williamstown Beach

Sometimes it’s the simple things in life that are most pleasing. Sitting here on Williamstown beach, on a delightful summer morning, sand in my toes with a crunchy ciabatta roll stuffed with frittata patate (potato and egg frittata) and fresh herbs, is my idea of heaven.  A beachside kiosk transformed into a Mediterranean delight?  The name is Kiosk D’Asporto and it’s here all summer.

Kiosk D’Asporto comes from the owners of Pizza D’Asporto a small yet bustling take away pizzeria.  Also located in Williamstown the pizzeria sits amongst a small strip of shops next to Williamstown Woolworths which is essentially a few local shops and a carpark.  I’ll admit after several local recommendations it took me way too long to get there, the location had me feeling skeptical, but I was proved so wrong. The pizza was right up there with D.O.C and 400 Gradi and the pasta was exactly what I look for, authenticity and flavour.  I even warmed to the carpark scenery.

With over 20 years of industry experience Claude Acquaro and his family are no newbies on food scene, before the pizzeria they were in charge of the kitchen at the Hobsons Bay Hotel, when they employed Rosa Mitchell and it was known for churning out some really authentic Italian cuisine.  After handing the stoves over to George Colambaris (Hobsons Bay Hotel is soon to be Hellenic Republic/Jimmy Grants) the Acquaro family opted for a more humble setting, where the focus was essentially all about the food and their local customers.

D’Asporto translates to takeaway, which was the initial idea.  The shop is small but people were wanting to eat in so two communal tables were placed outside and a small bench for window seating.  We were there for dinner on a Tuesday night and it was buzzing with people, take-aways were flying out of the door.

Nothing on the menu exceeds $20, and for the quality of food that’s such a steal.  All of the food is DOP and DOC approved which essentially means it has the tick of approval from the Italian food regulators for quality and authenticity of origin.  The pizzas are thin with big puffy crusts, the toppings are classic with minimalistic combinations, and you have the choice of ‘rossa’ red base or ‘bianco’ white base.  There is quite a variety of pizzas to choose from, so in situations like this where I find it hard to choose, I opt for flavours or ingredients I love. The ‘melanzane’ ($16) was my initial choice, the pizza was layered with eggplant, mozzarella and basil, a classic trio of Italian flavours.  Another favourite is a classic potato pizza, ‘patate’ ($15) which was delivered with a bit of a rustic twist.  Instead of thinly sliced potato it was a more chunky in texture with caramelised leek and taleggio.

As well as the selection of pizzas, were meat boards, (all under $15) a range of pasta dishes, some classic Italian staters and salads.  I enjoy a variety of dishes and sharing, which is great when your in a group and everybody’s on board to share.  We ordered an orecchiette pasta with brocolini and sausage and a ‘ruccola’ (rocket) salad with a fig dressing and crusted ciabatta which we all split between us.  The pasta was just like it came straight from nonnas hands. The simple salad which was drenched in the perfect unami flavour of vinegar and sweet fig combined with crunchy pieces ciabatta croutons was deceivingly good.  The entire food bill worked out to be under $20 per head.

I also made it down to Kiosk D’Asporto at Williamstown beach as previously mentioned, which for me is was so reminiscent of my time spent on the beachside towns in Sicily and Italy.   Beautiful freshly made panini, with fillings that change daily, fish and chips in cones, pizza by the slice, traditional Italian sweets and of course gelato it surely beats the meat pies and soggy chips that you wild usually expect from a beachside kiosk.

The panini fillings vary, from a simple frittata di patate, (as pictured) or chicken cottoletta (schnitzel) or pollpetti (meatballs) which were both sold out by 11:30am.  The salad options vary daily, with the likes of farro apple and sultana, coleslaw with pulled porchetta and green beans with fennel.  You can grab a variety of home-made arrancini or potato and cheese croquettes, and something I’ve yet to see anywhere, artisan gelato in a brioche bun a classic Sicilian summertime treat.  There is a coffee machine churning all day, and Australia’s first Illy Crema, frozen coffee frappe straight from a slushy machine.

Either way both locations offer you something delicious and traditional, in a family friendly, affordable and accessible way.  Pizza D’Asporto is open 7 days for dinner and thurs-sun for lunch and dinner, kiosk D’Asporto is open 7 days 9-5 for the summer.