Cafe Review: T17 – Box Hill North

Tucked away in the unassuming back streets of Box Hill North, you’ll find T17 Pizza. It’s certainly not the newest pizzeria in the area but it is one of the best, if like me you’re a fan of the real deal wood fired pizza. I’m talking thin base, puffed up and crispy on the edges, and ever so slightly chewy in the middle. Perfecto!

The space is intimate but not cramped with a distinctly industrial feel courtesy of polished concrete floors, lots of timber, glossy black subway tiles and a vibrant piece of street art at the front entrance. The staff are relaxed, friendly and unobtrusive, adding to the congenial vibe of the place.

Pizzas are really the hero of the menu here, but there is a small selection of other Italian specialties including a traditional lasagne, spinach and ricotta cannelloni and gnocchi. There are both red (tomato) and white (olive oil) pizzas on the menu, and excellent gluten free bases are available (for an extra $6 a pop) if that is your preference. Try the T17 Special, Milano, Lamb Shoulder or Prawn pizzas – they are all personal favourites.

There’s a modest drinks menu with a reasonable selection of Australian, New Zealand and Italian wines by the glass or bottle and corkage is $6 if you prefer to BYO. A handful of kid’s pizzas will appeal to the little foodies.

The night we visited we ate the tasty Cacciatore pizza, parmesan French fries, salt & pepper calamari and a very pleasing rocket and pear salad. Everything was delicious and the ingredients fresh. Servings were generous and prices fair considering the quality, although I do question the gluten free pizza surcharge, which adds up when ordering several. However, let’s not forget this is no chain-store pizzeria.

For dessert you can’t go past the Nutella calzone. Need I say more?