Arriva Italian Restaurant

Arriva, in Merthyr Rd in New Farm, is definitely one of our favourite places to have dinner. A small casual pasta-and-pizza joint, it was reviewed in the local paper a few weeks ago, so I just hope that doesn't mean lots of newcomers trying to get in and taking up all the places for the rest of us. This joint is so good you have to book at least a week in advance.
They make pizza the real Euro way: with just a few simple quality ingredients on a perfectly mid-weight crispy base. You ain't never gonna go back to Pizza Hut after tasting pizza the way it's meant to be. My favourite is the San Daniele: proscuitto, cracked pepper and basil on a tomato base. Scrumptious. Another favourite at our table is the gorgonzola gnocchi. The gnocchi is freshly made and is just right: not too doughy or gooey, but with a perfectly yielding firmness that's not overly salted. They also do a mean penne puttanesca. Capery, garlicky, tomatoey, chili goodness. I like a place that doesn't go easy on the capers. There is a specials menu that has some lovely stuff on it. Previously I've tried the pasta marinara (mmm) and the lemon veal: both were excellent. There is also a pasta with white wine, Italian sausage and walnuts that has to be tried to be believed. Nothing has ever been less than great, all the times we've visited.
Prices are good. Pretty much everything is under $20.
One thing that probably needs attention is the policy (not their fault, I know) of having a wine menu for tables inside the restaurant, but a BYO policy for tables 30cm away in the doorway, on the footpath or in the driveway. Because they are small, it's in their best interests to pack us in wherever they can... but seeing as the footpath and driveway obviously aren't licensed, they send those tables to the bottle-o down the road when they ask for the wine list. Maybe letting people know about this when they book, or when they arrive, would save a bit of hassle and annoyance. The staff seem to be mostly travellers, with a fairly high turnover rate. I think that adds to the charm, but on occasion we've had to wait up to 40 minutes on a busy night for our server to remember our water jug or to even take our order. Not a problem though if everything else goes well.
Clientele are locals: families with small toddling children, huge tables of partying kids in their twenties wearing Threadless shirts, heels and metallics, the after-work be-suited crowd, a fair assortment of students and artists, and a wide range of ages (always a good sign).
They keep the same menu for takeaway orders, and though you might have to wait up to an hour for them to do your order, it's an absolute godsend for when you want delicious Italian and can't be bothered going out.
Viva Arriva!