Monday is traditionally a quiet night for hospitality venues, but not at Ullo, Dee Why’s newest restaurant.
Situated on The Strand, this buzzy Italian restaurant serves hot pizzas, fresh salads, handmade pasta, and a seriously impressive cocktail and natural wine list. Think: lemon myrtle spritzes and fizzy pet nats to whet your pre-carb appetite.
The latest venue to open by Oi Hospitality (also of Corretto Dee Why and Banco Manly), owner Kurtis Bosley said the inspiration for the venue came from the local community.
“We saw a gap in the offering of the Dee Why beachfront without any quality pizzas. We wanted to ensure our community had access to a vibey venue with a good pizza —and more. Our inspiration for both venues we operate in Dee Why has always been our community,” says Bosley.
“Having operated Corretto Dee Why for over five years now, we continue to get feedback on what guests want, and we found that it was important to our locals to have a place that offered this.”
The locals have responded with a roaring trade.
“We’ve recently expanded our storage space to ensure we’ve got enough flour on hand to keep up with the pizzas going through the venue. It’s been incredible to see people’s love of pizza!” Says Bosley.
We’re not sure what to expect when we visit on a Monday night, but we quickly find it lives up to its casual but “vibey” premise.
As you ascend the darkened staircase, you’re greeted with Ullo’s wine bottle logo in bright neon lights. You could be entering a jazz club in New York, but once you arrive at the top of the stairs, Dee Why’s cracking beachfront view opens up to dazzle even the most jaded of locals.
We’re seated at one of the balcony tables overlooking the beachfront. The surfers, dog walkers, and families provide excellent people-watching as we sip on an aperitif and munch on complimentary fritta (fried pizza dough balls) with whipped butter. It’s an excellent start, and the food and service only gets better.
To start, we order a salumi plate with wagyu pastrami and saucisson sec. Our waitperson patiently runs through the charcuterie menu, expertly giving his opinion on what our table (including two kids) would like. We pair it with house-made focaccia, marinated olives, charred greens with fermented chili and burnt lemon dressing, and shoestring fries (kids’ choice, but we couldn’t stop eating them either).
But we’re here for the pizza. We couldn’t go past the signature ‘puffy pepperoni’ with’ nduja, tomato, pepperoni and jalapenos on a 48-hour fermented sourdough base. It doesn’t disappoint. With the right amount of heat on a crunchy base, we instantly regretted ordering so many starters. If you find yourself in our position, and you will because you’ll want to order everything, don’t fret. The staff will happily box up your pizza to take home.
We learn that ex-Rockpool chef Josefa Rakuro is responsible for the Italian-inspired menu. And award-winning pizza chef, Enrico Sgarbossa to thank for the delicious Neapolitan-style pizzas. It’s a winning combination.
The staff were friendly, knowledgeable, and unpretentious. One of my favourite moments of the night was when paying the bill. In what is sometimes an awkward encounter, our waitperson said, “Please don’t feel pressured to tip.” Which, of course, made us want to tip more.
Well priced, good vibes, excellent food and drinks. Ullo is a stayer.
Those lucky, lucky locals.
All meals were paid for by the writer.
Ullo Pizza and Wine
Address: Level 1, 23 The Strand, Dee Why
Opening Hours: Open 7 days a week with an everyday happy hour from 4-6pm, walk-ins welcome.
Website: https://www.ullopizzawine.com/
Instagram: @ullo.pizzawine
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Ullo-Pizza-Wine
