The burrata… with the round mound of soft, fresh Italian cheese surrounded with salty prosciutto. Photo: Wendy Johnson

White anchovies fanned on a wooden pizza board on top of fresh rocket, with slices of fresh, bright red chilli. Photo: Wendy Johnson

The Francesco pizza bianca… loaded with pork sausage, roast potatoes and spicy, spreadable pork paste. Photo: Wendy Johnson

Polenta chips… crispy and crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside. Photo: Wendy Johnson

“All food at Joe’s Bar centres around the love of simple, but flavoursome food, created with fresh, quality produce and oodles of love. This is food designed to hit the spot.” You can see where dining reviewer WENDY JOHNSON has been.

Joe’s Bar, East Hotel, is a small bar celebrating big things, including curious cocktails, good wines and contemporary Italian fare (excellent antipasto, share plates and pizza). 

Four of us headed to Joe’s Bar to sit at one of the high-top tables outside, enjoying a balmy evening and sharing a few dishes to satisfy our souls.

At Joe’s, order at the bar, chillax and your drink and food are delivered to the table. 

We love a solid soave, and the 2022 Borgoletto Fasolio Gino was dry, fresh and fruity (but not overly so). It’s bright light yellow in colour and perfect for summer ($17 a glass or $83 a bottle).

The burrata was one of the best I’ve had and a generous serve at $24. It was a feast for the eyes with the round mound of soft, fresh Italian cheese surrounded with salty prosciutto (some lightly fried and some not for variety), fresh fennel, balsamic, and vibrant green basil leaves. The texture of the burrata was belissimo. 

One of our party is mad about white anchovies and there was no way we were passing by the Alici ($15). The high-quality white anchovies were fanned on a wooden pizza board on top of fresh rocket, with slices of fresh, bright red chilli. Four mounds of pistachio pesto were carefully placed around the anchovies, as was crunchy crostini. The taste buds danced.

Polenta chips (10 pieces for $20) arrived next with our pizza order. We asked for the chips to be served after and as soon as our warm and friendly wait staff realised the issue there was an offer to take the pizza away. We refused, not believing in food waste, and it was no big deal, anyway. 

Polenta chips are either fabulous or not, and these were perfetto – crispy and crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside.

Last but not least was our pizza. Both rossa ($25 or $26) and bianca (all $25) are available at Joe’s Bar. 

We chose the Francesco pizza bianca, named after energetic, vibrant and passionate executive chef Francesco Balestrieri (also of Agostini’s at East Hotel). 

The pizza was loaded with hearty pork sausage, roast potatoes and spicy, spreadable pork paste (Nduja) made with wonderful spices. 

All food at Joe’s Bar centres around the love of simple, but flavoursome food, created with fresh, quality produce and oodles of love. This is food designed to hit the spot.

Also on the menu at Joe’s Bar are share dishes such as arancini, calamari fritti, chicken wings, house-made focaccia, potato fries with parmesan and oregano, and an antipasto selection ($12 to $42). For a sweet ending, dive into the tiramisu ($16).