Scottburgh’s renowned Enzo Pizzeria Trattoria has become the first KwaZulu-Natal restaurant to make it into the Top 10 of the nationwide Porcupine Ridge Pizzeria Challenge 2022.
Owner Enzo Tilli is over the moon for making it to the number five spot despite stiff competition from around the country. No KZN restaurants made it into the top 10 in the 2021 challenge.
In 1990, at the tender age of 18, Tilli decided to follow his passion for creating authentic Italian food and with the help of his mother, embarked on an adventure into the unknown opening Enzo Pizzeria in Johannesburg’s West Rand. The authentic pizzas he dished up were an instant hit and it was not long before Tilli opened a second branch at Gold Reef City.
Seven years later Tilli sold his two eateries and moved to KwaZulu Natal to open Enzo Pizzeria Trattoria in Scottburgh. As was the case in Gauteng, it did not take long for Enzo to become a popular destination for locals and tourists who – 25-years later – still can’t get enough of his mouth-wateringly good pizzas. Says Tilli: “Like all good pizzas, ours are made with the finest ingredients and cooked to perfection in a wood-burning clay oven.”
Despite the celebrations, Tilli made some time to answer a few questions about Enzo and – more importantly – his coveted pizzas!
Tell us a bit about your restaurant and what makes your pizzas so popular
Enzo’s is more an eatery or as we say in Italy a ‘trattoria’ which means casual and relaxed dining. Our pizzas are made in the authentic Neapolitan style, in a wood-burning oven. They have a light and airy base, and we use only the best quality ingredients. We believe that whoever is making the pizza should have lots of love for what they are creating and that their passion is a big part of what makes them so good.
What is your signature pizza or best-seller?
Without doubt the Del Greco pizza which has a bacon feta and fresh avocado topping. We also have four different starter pizzas, three Calzongino choices (foot long, fold over pizzas), six different vegetarian pizzas and 19 more other options from which to choose.
What’s better, a thin crust or a thick crust?
For me, it must have a thin, light base and slightly charred on the bottom and must always be cooked in a wood-burning oven just like in Naples, the home of the pizza.
What is your favourite pizza topping?
I still like the classics – a Regina, a quattro stagioni or a simple Margarita with anchovies.
For more on Porcupine Ridge, please visit: www.boekenhoutskloof.co.za/
Enzo Pizzeria Trattoria can be found at Shop 5 The Terrace, 129 Marine Terrace, Scottburgh, KZN. Telephone number for bookings: 039 978 3674