Sunny aperitivo sessions and drinks that roll straight into dinner — kerbside dining has arrived at Franco Pizza Bar. Photo: Supplied.
On the corner of George and Phillip, just off the main throng of Lawrence Hargarve Drive, Thirroul’s has received a slice of old Napoli — just in time for summer.
Inspired by the charm of European streetside bistro and fuelled by demand, local favourite Franco Pizza Bar has expanded its operation onto the kerb.
Outdoor dining launched on Sunday 30 November, coinciding with Thirroul Music Festival — and not a moment too soon, according to the restaurant owner, Sam Jones.
“We desperately need this; we don’t have anything quite like it here,” Sam says. “Our regulars are so excited.”
Covering an area almost equivalent to the restaurant’s busy indoor dining room, the outdoor space adds 39 extra seats to Franco’s capacity, offered on a walk-in basis.
Diners can enjoy a mix of low dining and high cocktail-style tables and seating, punctuated by two giant palms sprouting from the sidewalk.
Umbrellas will provide shade in summer, and outdoor heaters and blankets will provide warmth in the cooler seasons.
Franco’s entire food and drinks menu is on offer, as well as table service, but also QR codes on hand for a more casual experience.
The idea is to create a space that suits a range of experiences, from date night to dinners with friends and young families.
“Sitting outside is such an enjoyable experience when you’ve got the right vibe,” Sam says.
The expansion comes as Franco revamps its beverage offering to incorporate house sodas, spritzers and shaved ice drinks made using a bona fide, manual Japanese ice shaver.
Sam, a hospitality lifer who sold The Wine Library in Woollahra before the move to the Illawarra, has plenty of ideas for specials as well — like “Margy Nights” ($15 margarita cocktails and $15 margarita pizzas) on Wednesdays starting in December.
“The whole dining scene has gotten so serious; we want to have fun with it,” Sam says.
“We have an extensive antipasto and starter menu; a lot of people just come in and order a bunch of starters to share. I love that the kids can grab a kids’ pizza, the adults can have a frozen marg and a couple of snacks — summer dining at its best.
“I think of Stanley Street in Sydney, which has been converted into all al fresco dining. I would love to see more of that vibe here in Thirroul.”
Franco Bar is located at 1/382-384 Lawrence Hargrave Drive, Thirroul and open Thursday to Sunday for dinner and Saturday and Sunday for lunch and dinner. A daily “Aperitivo Hour” from 4 pm to 5:30 pm offers $8 drinks and $10 snacks. Stay tuned for updates via social media.
