Since reading the book, 'Eat, Pray, Love', I have fallen in love with the idea of Italy, but mostly with the notion of the food. The pages which describe Elizabeth Gilbert's journey of self-discovery (and where she learns the art of indulgence) are littered with references to copius amounts of red wine, authentic Italian pizza, and illicit portions of homemade gelato...

And so, because I have not as yet garnered enough money to indulge in the delights of Venice or Rome, I am constantly looking for eateries that will send my imagination, and perhaps my tastebuds, there.

When I first heard about Massimo's Pizza Club — where you pay a set amount for the evening and get fed loads of pizza — run by Massimo himself, I thought it sounded like a fun thing to do with friends — and a great way of discovering some new tastes.

Little did I know that the Pizza Club would actually turn out to be a little slice of rural Italy, and an experience I would definitely repeat.

Red wine. Check.

With a massive glass of Boekenhoutskloof The Wolftrap 2007 in hand, I tried the first communal dish, apparently called Bagna Cauda (hot sauce), which originated in Northern Italy — the Piemonte area — from where Massimo himself comes.

Made with baby potatoes, onions, garlic, anchovies, olive oil and butter, it's typical of the Piemonte area and it's eaten in winter.

"You normally have this dish in a pot at the centre of the table, and everyone dips in a folded cabbage leaf, or boiled potato or onion," says Massimo.

Massimo and Tracy (who runs the Pizza Club alongside Massimo) lived in London, and then decided to move to Dordogne in rural France for several years.

There they started the Pizza Club concept, in the garden of their 400-year old farmhouse. But in 2003 they discovered South Africa and decided that they just had to move here.

Pizza. Check.

Next it was time to try the pizzas. Thin-based and melt-in-your-mouth, just like they should be, we tasted a variety of interesting combinations. First was the Focaccia of course, followed by the traditional Margarita with real mozzarella.

Then we tasted the heavenly Pear and Gorgonzola Pizza, followed by Massimo's own speciality White Pizza which was adorned with cheese only (no tomato) and a smoked mozzarella called Scamorza, with garlic and fresh herbs to boot.

Having been to the Dordogne region for a holiday myself, the ingredients used for the pizzas suddenly evoked memories of a busy Saturday morning market in Sarlat and the conundrum of which smelly cheese to buy.

My favourite pizza of the evening had to be the Duck and Mushroom Pizza, but the Spanish Chorizo Pizza also deserves an award-winning mention.

The pizzas I did not get to taste were the Parma Ham and Rucola (rocket), and the Pissaladiere (no cheese but slow-cooked onions with herbs, tomato and lots of anchovies and olives). Then there was also the Date and Blue Cheese Pizza, which I will definitely have to go back for.

A slice of Italy

Massimo says that they make traditional Italian dishes from all over Italy, but they also take inspiration from other places, for example their pizza with confit de canard (duck) and mushrooms was an idea they got while living in France.

To finish, we had the most delectable dessert — real Tiramisu made with espresso, mascarpone, Marsala, and organic eggs and sugar. It slid down like a cold beer on a hot day. Not too sweet, it was just perfect.

The Pizza Club is very much a communal celebration or a conviviality restaurant — where you share a unique experience of food and wine. The Pizza Club hosts two sittings on each of the four group nights (Wednesday to Saturday) — one at 6pm (ideal if you have young children) and another at 8.30pm.

Then, to end off — Limoncello liquor of course. The Pizza Club's version, which Massimo makes with local organic lemons, comes from the south of Italy.

After some interesting banter with one of the local hotel owners in Hout Bay, and a fair amount of wine, we sauntered home dreaming of a trip to Italy, with our bellies temporarily satisfied.

Massimo's Pizza Club at Scarecrows, Oakhurst Farm Park, Main Road, Hout Bay, Cape Town. Visit www.pizzaclub.co.za. Contact Massimo and Tracy on +27 73 390 1373 or +27 21 790 7906. Group bookings are in advance only (maximum 35 people), but small groups or couples can inquire about last-minute reservations. The 6pm sitting costs R80 per person (dessert extra) while children under 12 are half price and under 5 are free. The 8.30pm sitting is R140 per person (no children under 12). Not bad for an evening of unlimited pizza!