- Venue: Spritz Spizzicheria
- Cost: $20 pp for a Spritz Time!
- We loved: a little bit of Italy in Perth
- We weren’t expecting: to leave so reluctantly
If you’ve ever heard the phrase “Voila, it’s Spritz time!” in Perth, chances are you were at Spritz Spizzicheria in Mt Hawthorn, being greeted by master host and co-owner Mario Tolardo.
Tucked into the buzzing Mt Hawthorn restaurant strip of Scarborough Beach Road, Spritz takes its name from the Italian word spizzicheria meaning ‘picking’ and here, it’s all about picking spritz. And really, what better advice could there be?
The food menu at Spritz is solid. Something for everyone as they say. But the real star here is Spritz Time ($20pp), officially called Spritz Sbagliato. There’s a fun backstory, but you’ll need to read the chalkboard to be in the know.
Spritz’s Aperol Spritz is as theatrical as it is refreshing: Aperol, Prosecco, soda water, fresh slice of orange, and the secret twist – a scoop of Aperol sorbet swirling through the ice. Want variety? Swap Aperol for Campari or go citrusy with a Limoncello Spritz topped with lemon sorbet. Zesty.
On this visit, I was out with a school mum friend (yes, that’s a thing). A family-free night deserves a proper kickoff, and Spritz delivered: great drinks, easy chatter, and plenty of laughs.
Within minutes of our order, out come our two tapas plates, included in the Spritz offering. These change with the season, but ours featured house-cured ham on soft bread, a slice of fresh cheese, briny green olives, and house-pickled cucumbers on crusty bread. Simple. Fresh. Perfect.
Then the highlight: the Spritz service. Mario sweeps tableside with a giant vintage soda water siphon, booming “Voila, it’s Spritz time!” before dramatically spraying soda water into our glasses. First-timers always look startled by the call to action but it’s part of the charm.
As we sip, nibble and gossip, we watch the lively crowd ebb and flow. With Spritz’s no-booking policy, hopeful diners queue outside while Mario plays his signature game of “human Tetris,” rearranging tables to fit in as many guests as possible. Honestly, it’s entertainment in itself.
One Spritz becomes two as we get down to the nitty gritty of school drama and then somewhat reluctantly, waft out of Spritz to our dinner destination. A final glance back reveal staff resetting our table for more lucky diners.
Spritz isn’t just a restaurant – it’s an experience. From the warm welcome to the signature Spritz, it’s la dolce vita with a Perth twist. If you’re looking for sparkle, fun, and a splash of theatre, you’ll find it here.
Disclaimer: The reviewer was not paid for this review, which has been conducted without the involvement of the venue.
