PROFILED BY DE GROOTS MEDIAChinatown has probably filled its quota on Asian restaurants, which is why a myriad of European, South American, and even African diners have suddenly been emerging from the woodwork in the Dickson area. Among them is Firestone Pizzeria, a newly-opened space on Woolley Street with a flair for all things Modern Italian. This sleekly outfitted space is pleasantly ambient on the quiet nights and buzzing on the busy ones, bringing a touch of colour and modernity to a street of mostly older shops and restaurants. Slightly retro touches – a row of hanging lights resembling giant, glowing marshmallows; walls papered in a silver, brown, and white pattern vaguely reminiscent of an M.C. Escher print – stand out against a decor of reds and deep browns, and give its aspect a quirky originality that meshes well with its mellow atmosphere.
The menu at Firestone is unfussy and as sleek as its interior, with little inventive twists on the usual pizzas, pastas, calzones and starters. With rock oysters and balsamic mint sorbet, salmon and prawn tortellini with creamed cauliflower and shellfish oil, a tempting array of wood fired thinly-crusted pizzas and crisp salads; it’s difficult to go wrong when it comes to ordering. Unless of course, you leave no room for dessert, which means missing out on a truly spectacular selection of sweet pizzas (brimming with flavours like strawberry, marshmallow and white chocolate) and sweet calzones (hazelnut and triple chocolate, or bitter choc and banana). Wash everything down with a drop of vino (everything available by the glass and bottle) and make sure you have friends on hand to roll you out the door.
Stephanie Wang, November 2007
