We have finally heralded in some warmer weather with Spring on our doorstep and with the end of lockdown hopefully on the very near horizon, things are looking very positive! With that positivity, it has been heartening to see a number of new businesses open their doors here in Victoria Harbour!

Here are a couple of new places in Docklands and also an old-time favourite. Be sure to pop by and check them out!

SAN MARZANO PIZZERIA

Not even two weeks old, Vikramth (Vik) Vijay recently opened up San Marzano Pizzeria at 831 Bourke Street. Vik has been established in the hospitality industry in and around Docklands for 18 years. While Covid-19 has hit Docklands incredibly hard, Vik saw an opportunity (the lack of takeaway dining options) and forged ahead with his plans for a Napoli style pizza restaurant, and just like that San Marzano Pizzeria was born.

Vik sources his fresh seasonal ingredients locally, while all other key ingredients, including his cured meats, are all imported directly from Italy. Not least of which is the San Marzano tomatoes which make his pizzas stand out with their unique flavour. The 12” pizzas are all hand stretched and traditionally topped using their own cultured sourdough and cooked in the stunning wood-fired oven sourced from Italy and fired up to 370C.

My boys and I thoroughly loved the fresh taste of the simple and pure ingredients topping the pizzas, especially the soft texture of the crust with a very light char teamed with a smoky taste imparted from the redgum wood fuelling the oven. My favourite has always been the prosciutto & rocket, but I cannot wait to try the simple potato pizza with caramelised onion and leek.

Operating Monday-Sunday from 4pm, head into San Marzano Pizzeria and say hi to Vik and his enthusiastic team, where they are also serving homemade pasta, vegan alternatives, together with local beer and wine. Once restrictions are eased, dining will be available at outdoor tables.

San Marzano Pizzeria
831 Bourke Street, Docklands
03 86586013
www.sanmarzanopizzeria.com.au

TANGMAMA PASTRY

Across the street, opened in the midst of lockdowns, is a jewel of a pastry shop named Tangmama Pastry, owned & operated by Zie Li. Tāng means soup in Mandarin and while at University, Zie ran a small soup and dessert business. However, her friends and family greatly preferred her dessert creations over her soup, so the name Tangmama is a reference to those beginnings. At 842 Bourke Street, Zie has been able to establish her own commercial oven base and retail space here in the heart of Docklands, which she refers to as her destiny.

Creating jewel-toned, delicate Chinese pastries in 15 different flavour combinations, together with traditional egg tarts which are a huge hit with my boys! On a recent visit, we sampled the Coconut & Raisins and the Salted Egg Lava with Taro which had a gorgeous lavender hue from the colour of the taro. We couldn’t decide which we liked better.

Always willing to try new flavours and combinations, Zie is busy preparing some new pumpkin pastries this month in honour of Halloween, and we can’t wait to try them! Open Monday-Friday from 10am-3:30pm, stop by, introduce yourself, and be greeted with lovely service and a winning smile. I bet you won’t be able to resist and stop at just one flavour!

Tangmama Pastry
842 Bourke Street, Docklands
0402 549 739
tangmama-pastry.business.site

NEO LEMONADE

While not a new entity, Neo Lemonade has had its home on Merchant Street for a while but has recently had a reawakening as the weather has warmed and restrictions are moving towards change. Owner Steve Velkovski and his family have called Docklands home for 15 years now. This past Saturday, he and his incredibly able team offered up their take on the quintessential BBQ where neighbours and friends turned up in droves to partake of their Modern Australian cuisine.

This was not your traditional Aussie BBQ. Here Moreton Bay bugs, Canadian Lobster Tail, & Seafood Hotdogs (barramundi, prawns, and blue swimmer crab) were the stars! Steve was busy slinging signature cocktails of Limoncellos & Margaritas to guests, along with local beer and wine. I didn’t know chargrilled pumpkin on the BBQ could taste so good!

Neo Lemonade will be firing up the BBQ each Saturday with a changing theme each weekend. Once restrictions are lifted, they will again begin operating Thursday-Saturday with al fresco dining in their prime location at 850 Collins Street. Stroll on by, grab a chilled local drink, and some incredibly fresh local BBQ produce.

Neo Lemonade
850 Collins Street, Docklands
03 9620 7030
neolemonade.com.au