By Caroline Foreman, bondirestaurants.com
25th January 2008

Pazzo means ‘crazy' in Italian, and I think my friend must have let the name go to his head a little when he invited 40 people to his 40 th birthday party at Pazzo. Especially as he was paying and providing the Champagne and beer. But I certainly wasn't complaining. I love grand gestures – and I love Pazzo.

I will confess here that Pazzo is a favourite for our work for functions, and I have only been there in a group, not for any cosy tête-à-têtes. But for a function, it's pretty fabulous. For a start, it's in Surry Hills on Crown Street, a place pulsing with such energy and verve that you're primed for a party before you even get to the restaurant. Secondly it's BYO (with corkage at just $3 a bottle.) Thirdly, it's a flexible floor space….a table for 20 fits out the back nicely, we had 40 in the front easily, and apparently there's a great upstairs that fits 35 too. Fourthly, there's Rafe, the owner and maitre d' who makes everything run so super smoothly because he knows what you want before you do.

But it's the food that really counts…and here is where Pazzo triumphs. Pazzo has the platter thing down perfectly. Platter upon platter of food arrives at your table, in such glorious abundance that you don't have to fight your neighbour for the last garlic mushroom, or look on fretfully as others pile their plates before the dish gets to you. We had beautiful bruschetta, an awesome antipasto platter, big bowls of mushroom penne, huge servings of a spicy calamari salad, and large platters of chicken and veal, with roasted herbed potatoes and green salad. The amount would have served twice as many people easily.

You don't have to be in a group to taste a wide range of foods though. Pazzo also offers an ‘assagio' or tasting menu with dishes that have been created specifically to share, perfect for two or four (or more) diners. There's also an “antipazzo” dessert tasting plate so that you can have your cake and tart and gelato and tiramisu and eat it too.

I can imagine that if you're a local that this would be the kind of place that you'd come back to over and over again. It's not expensive, the food is fantastic, the people are really nice, the atmosphere is comfortable, and it's just kind of fun and easy. Rafe makes it look so fun and easy too. If you ever had a fantasy of owning a restaurant, then I bet this is the kind of restaurant you envisaged. Of course owning a restaurant isn't necessarily fun, or easy, and it can be costly. But Rafe's been doing it for 11 years, so he clearly knows what he's doing. So much so that Pazzo has been named the Restaurant and Catering Australia's best BYO restaurant in 2007 and 2008.

If you're lucky enough to have lovely friends who invite you to a birthday party at Pazzo, make sure you accept the invitation. And if you're not, then make sure you put Pazzo at the top of your ‘must-try' list. You'd be crazy not to.

Pazzo. 583 Crown St Surry Hills NSW Phone: 9319 4387 Open: Tue-Sat 6pm-10.30pm BYO.

By Henry O'Donovan, bondirestaurants.com

We decided to leave our comfort zone in Bondi and found ourselves in the thick of it in Surry Hills, a bustling lively suburb just east of the City. There were people everywhere, all cooling down after a day which reached 40 plus celcius. We had been invited to a 40th birthday party at Pazzo restaurant, and thought we'd record our experiences.

Upon our arrival there were about 40 guests standing around the tables drinking champagne and getting in the mood. The first thing I noticed about this place was how well the tables were set up. It can be very irritating being in a crowded restaurant where you have to climb on top of someone who you don't even know - to get to the toilet! The staff of Pazzo had ingeniously structured two long tables to cater for about 40 guests, but it didn't seem crowded.

In fact the only people who did seem to have a problem getting around were the staff themselves, but they were polite and patient as they struggled to get us what I can only describe as the mother of all entrees! They seemed to have endless entrees to the delight of all of us.

The place was well ventilated given the hot day we had all experienced. No air conditioning, but huge fans seemed to suffice. The whole front section was open, allowing for a constant flow of cool air, something I regard as very important.

The crowd at this function were rambunctious to say the least! Many were artists and writers and actors. Now there's a recipe for rambunctiousness! The staff were so professional and allowed us all to act like a bunch of kids in a creche. Indeed, this was a happy, charged and exciting environment for all, and the staff often joined in. Now I think that is very cool indeed!

The mains came along. I could not believe the amount of food! And all delectable, as my co-partner on this website Caroline Foreman describes on the right side of this page. At the end of the night, there was no pushing us out, the staff simply cleaned up around us. It was a sheer delight to be at Pazzo in Surry Hills. The Italians know how to have a good time, and they certainly didn't stop us doing the same! We'll be back for sure!