He makes them from scratch at his newly opened restaurant on the Islington end of Beaumont Street, using techniques learned in his native Rome. Even the dough is made by hand, on site.

He and his wife Francesca manage and operate Sapori at Tailors. What once was The Tailor's Workshop and served a Macedonian-influenced menu is now Italian in flavour.

Sapori means "flavours" in Italian.

The name fits.

Less is more and fresh is best when it comes to Virgili's pizzas. The secret lies in their simplicity.

Diners can choose from a tomato or mozzarella base, and gluten-free options are happily accommodated.

The choice of pizza toppings is mouthwateringly good.

There's the patatosa (mozzarella, potato, fried red onion, cannellini beans, sausage), the prosciutto crudo e bufala (mozzarella, cherry tomatoes, prosciutto, buffalo mozzarella, rocket, shaved parmesan, basil) and the ortolana (capsicum, eggplant, zucchini, artichoke, olives, fried red onion, basil), to name just a few.

There are also antipasti options such as the tagliere (mix of Italian cold cuts, parmesan cheese, pecorino cheese, rosemary focaccia), cazzotto all' aglio (garlic olive oil on bread with mozzarella and parmesan) and, of course, the bruschetta (cherry tomatoes, red onion, basil, oregano, olive oil).

Desserts (dolci) include tiramisu, crostoli and cannoli).

In the coming months Sapori at Tailors will open mornings, offering quality coffee and fresh pastries.

The Tailor's Workshop opened in 2016 and was named after Macedonian-born Kocho Naumov, who migrated to Australia in the 1950s. In 1960 he opened his own tailoring service on Beaumont Street and for 10 years made quality clothes for the men of Newcastle.

In 2016 the next generation of Naumovs (Kocho's son Bobby and daughter Suzanna) opened a cafe at the former tailor's workshop.

Bobby Naumov is one of the owners of Sapori at Tailors. It's a partnership between families "who have grown up together over a 50-year period and decided to do this as a family joint venture", he tells Weekender.

A football fanatic, he played for the Newcastle Breakers and Sydney Olympic and has coached Broadmeadow Magic.

"Islington is becoming a progressive suburb with many new things planned that will bring people and interest back into the area," he says.

"I personally remember growing up in the area and what Beaumont Street was like - it was multicultural with a European feel. We want to bring back and generate the same feeling and experience.

"People can grab a takeaway pizza or enjoy our outdoor dining with a delicious pizza, a glass of wine and some homemade fresh sweets.

"We want people to feel at home, to feel relaxed, and to enjoy the family-oriented atmosphere."

The cosy, homely feel of The Tailor's Workshop fits Sapori at Tailors like a glove. Very few changes have been made to the fit-out, the woodfired pizza oven being an exception.

"That shop was made for Italian, for pizzas. It's got that rustic look," Naumov says.

"Fabrizio and Francesca are from Italy and they bring the authentic Italian-style pizza with them to Sapori, methods that have been handed down from a long line of pizza makers in the family.

"Everything is made on-site, even the pastries and sweets. They are all homemade with fresh ingredients, just like your mother would make. Delicious."