Deep dish, thin and crispy, folded, oozing with cheese — so many options and so many pizzerias to choose from. Yet, everyone has their favourite — a sacred place if you will. And god forbid if somebody else comes along and tells you that their go-to place is better. Countless verbal wars have been sparked by this topic, much like the endless discussion of best burger and noodle bowl. We commend Sfizio's valour for being the brave new Italian kid on the block who, for once, isn't interested in brick walls, wood-fired ovens, candles and opera singers. Instead, they opted for a modern look with a laid-back atmosphere. The cosy 22-seater restaurant feels like a friend's house (if you have an impressive Italian chef as your friend, that is) and serves up authentic Italian salads, pizza, pasta and desserts. Slightly hidden from the bustling street of Asok, the diners here are office workers, expats who reside in the area and returning customers who can't get enough of Sfizio.
Sfizio
Italian
44/4 Sukhumvit Soi 21 Mon-Fri 11:30am-4pm, 6-10:30pm, Sat 6-10:30pm 02-262-0405 fb.com/sfiziobkk
THE MENU
After trying Romana (B230), your taste buds should inform you instantly that the salad revolution has arrived and you can forget about greasy dressings and factory-made croutons. What you'll get is crispy pork cheek — salty, savoury and good enough to bump bacon down your list of favourite things. The semi-dried tomatoes add a sweet tang to the dish that rounds off nicely with crunch from the walnuts. Cheese-enthusiasts should try Zola (B300), which is the signature dish of the restaurant. The unusual red colour of the pasta is from the beetroot that has been infused into the dough. These little dumplings add a nice contrast to the smooth, aromatic gorgonzola cheese sauce. Pasta fans should give the simply-named Spaghetti (B220) a try and discover what a "real" carbonara should taste like. Think al dente spaghetti, cured pork cheek, egg and lots of pecorino cheese and black pepper — a combination of humble ingredients that provide an explosion of earthy and rich flavours. There are 18 different pizzas on the menu. It's not exactly a long list but that's a good thing; nobody wants to stare at a three-page pizza menu with overly adventurous toppings like tom yum or larb gai either. Capricciosa (B280) has a tomato sauce base topped with mozzarella cheese, ham, mushroom and black truffle sauce. The fragrant smell of truffle adds an extra oomph without being excessive or frivolous, and its simplicity packs a punch that you won't forget. Tiramisu is much like sticky rice and mango at a Thai restaurant — predictable and you can find it virtually anywhere. So go for a dessert lesser-known and expand your palate. Cassatina (B180) is a Sicilian ricotta cake made with almond paste, dark chocolate and orange blossom scent. Refreshing and not too heavy, it adds a sweet finish to your meal. Cocktails, beers, red and white wines by the bottle (B980) and glass (B190) are available.
INSIDER TIP
If you're craving pizza but haven't got the appetite to finish a whole one, they offer individual slices for B40-B90 as well as other popular Italian dishes at lunchtime.
SOCIAL MEDIA MOMENTS
The walls of the restaurant are filled with vintage snapshots of wine barrels, cobbled streets and beautiful women in Italy. These make a suiting backdrop for your Instagram photos (especially when you're holding a pizza in your hand).
VALUE & VERDICT
Although every dish is made from scratch by a true Italian chef, Sfizio doesn't carry the steep price that similar Italian restaurants have. Like most of their loyal customers, you can expect to return here on a weekly basis and say ciao to your old pizzeria.
