The Italo Dining and Disco Club pop-up opened on Sunday at Carriageworks and I somehow (or should that be “somehow”?) have found myself there three nights in a row. Not that you need an elaborate excuse for rerouting your path in this direction – the restaurants behind this venture have as much star power as any of the Vivid line-ups we’ve seen over the festival’s duration.

Icebergs Dining Room & Bar, Da Orazio Pizza + Porchetta, Fratelli Paradiso and 10 William Street have teamed up (combining their strengths as if they’re The Avengers of Sydney Italian dining) for this canteen-style venture. Items can be exchanged for as little as a $5 token and include everything from Lasagne (from Fratelli Paradiso) to pizza by the slice by Da Orazio. The pizza is stop-the-conversation great – powered by the right amount of char, smoke, puff and chew – with deeply savoury toppings that cut right through. I’ve eaten at least 11 slices of the Reginella and (even though we didn’t really have time to go here at all) managed to convince a friend to order some pie just to take to our weekly Game of Thrones screening (it was a face-freezing walk there from Carriageworks, but it was worth it – plus the spice levels of the Diavola pizza had the instant effect of a flamethrower). And if you’ve ever had to be coaxed into eating your vegies, get the Verdura ($10), which Fratelli Paradiso’s crew have charred and caramelised to hell out of, so your Brussels sprouts and cauliflower are insanely sticky, sweet and ultra-addictive. They’re the hardcore crack of vegetables.

Like every good thing on the Vivid program, this is a short-lived affair. So make sure you check it out before it closes. Its remaining nights are Friday June 5, Saturday June 6 and Sunday June 7. You don’t need to see the accompanying Modulations shows at Carriageworks to attend, Italo Dining and Disco Club pop-up is worth the (well-soundtracked) detour. (You’ll find DJ Beppe Loda dropping Italo disco tunes in the background.)

I’m going back to stockpile more of that great pizza – and try the Cannoli ($5), which is sprinkled with gold dust and seems like it decided to be the best cross-breed between a tiramisu and pastry that’s possible. See you there.

Italo Dining and Disco Club, 245 Wilson Street, Carriageworks NSW.