A back street of Box Hill is not where you’d expect to find the perfect slice of Italy. Open since 2016, T17 has a simple focus: to create delicious authentic Napoli-style pizza.
From the moment it opens at 5pm, locals stream in to collect take-away with their favourite toppings, while knowing chefs dust the peel and knead the dough, and the owner Jim chats enthusiastically to his regulars. The space is modern, typically Melbourne, ambient with pop covers in soft American accents and features colourful graffiti art by the entrance.
There are many enticing vego pizzas on the menu from roast pumpkin with mascarpone; wild mushrooms (that is popular with vegan cheese); a Middle Eastern take with zataar inspired by the owner’s Lebanese wife; and the owner’s favourite Royal Vegetarian with eggplant, tomato and house made fresh pesto. I was invited to try their vegetarian menu and was in for a treat.
The delight of smelling the dough in the oven is enough to send my stomach growling. I ordered the Royal Vegetarian. The best things about this pizza are the base and the pesto. The base is even more delicious than it smells hot in the oven: chewy, charred to perfection. The basil pesto is rich and plentiful. The tomato is sliced, the eggplant is chopped and well cooked, melted That’s Amore for di latte holding it together and thick grated parmesan for extra taste. I loved the moisture of the toppings and the freshness of the crusts.
For entrée I tried the mushroom arancini. These are topped with cheese and dill. The outsides are crisp and hot, the rice holding without being gluggy. The highlight is the fresh aioli made on site. This was light as if whipped with little crushes of fresh garlic.
Whilst popular with take-away, T17 has everything you need for an enjoyable sit-down meal. Fully licensed with a carefully chosen selection of wine, beer, grappa and limoncello, with comfortable seating and a relaxed vibe, I am surprised I did not know about this place sooner. I will definitely be back.
From the moment it opens at 5pm, locals stream in to collect take-away with their favourite toppings, while knowing chefs dust the peel and knead the dough, and the owner Jim chats enthusiastically to his regulars. The space is modern, typically Melbourne, ambient with pop covers in soft American accents and features colourful graffiti art by the entrance.
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| Gorgeous art by the entrance at T17 Pizza |
There are many enticing vego pizzas on the menu from roast pumpkin with mascarpone; wild mushrooms (that is popular with vegan cheese); a Middle Eastern take with zataar inspired by the owner’s Lebanese wife; and the owner’s favourite Royal Vegetarian with eggplant, tomato and house made fresh pesto. I was invited to try their vegetarian menu and was in for a treat.
 |
| Pizza Chef, Valerio, showing off the Royal Vegetarian |
The delight of smelling the dough in the oven is enough to send my stomach growling. I ordered the Royal Vegetarian. The best things about this pizza are the base and the pesto. The base is even more delicious than it smells hot in the oven: chewy, charred to perfection. The basil pesto is rich and plentiful. The tomato is sliced, the eggplant is chopped and well cooked, melted That’s Amore for di latte holding it together and thick grated parmesan for extra taste. I loved the moisture of the toppings and the freshness of the crusts.
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| Yum!!! Smells so good. |
For entrée I tried the mushroom arancini. These are topped with cheese and dill. The outsides are crisp and hot, the rice holding without being gluggy. The highlight is the fresh aioli made on site. This was light as if whipped with little crushes of fresh garlic.
 |
| Mushroom arancini with fresh house-made alioli |
Whilst popular with take-away, T17 has everything you need for an enjoyable sit-down meal. Fully licensed with a carefully chosen selection of wine, beer, grappa and limoncello, with comfortable seating and a relaxed vibe, I am surprised I did not know about this place sooner. I will definitely be back.
T17 Pizza
17 Trawool Street
Box Hill North 3129
03 9042 3454
Opening hours:
Tuesday to Thursday, 5:00pm to 9:00pm
Friday to Saturday, 5:00pm to 10:00pm
Sunday, 5:00pm to 9:00pm