Sunnyside Sliced

Manhattan came to Mentone with this top-notch pizza joint in the beachside suburb. The brainchild of Ali Ali, who grew up running around his family’s pizzeria in Cranbourne, he wanted to bring an American spin to his penchant for hand-stretched, long-fermented dough bases done in a great big oven.

From the neon signage out front to the exposed brick walls, butcher block tiles and vinyl stools, this collaboration between Staark co-founder Dominik Kubic’s vision and the geniuses at Toothpicks Creative, the team delivered and then some.

“We poured everything into making Ali’s dreams come true,” Dom says. “There was no detail too small in this highly detailed project that’s brimming with unique features and fun focal points, from the courtyard out back with its towering palm tree to the waffle cone-like lighting in the bar.”