Who doesn’t love a good pizza? It’s affordable, portable and these days in Vancouver, there’s a pizza for every palate, as I discovered during Richard Wolak’s recent Pizza Palooza tour.
Our Pizza Palooza experience began at the eclectic Hot Art Wet City gallery (an appropriate venue on a typical rainy Vancouver evening), where we were treated to a pizza-themed exhibit. Pizza as art. Who knew?
Then I was off to my first destination. ZeroZero Pizzeria, home of ‘Roman-style’ pizza, which is thicker and chewier than the Neapolitan thin crust variety. It’s a cool space, with boxes and flour sacks piled high. Our featured slices were the Vegetable Pizza, with mozzarella, mushrooms, zucchini, bell peppers, onions, greens and balsamic reduction, and the Contadina, with mozzarella, tomato sauce, smoked chicken, sundried tomatoes, red onions and oregano. I enjoyed the crust on both slices, but thought the ingredients in the Contadina delivered more flavour.
Then I made my way over to Straight Outta Brooklyn for New York style pizza. It’s another neat spot, with a lit-up Brooklyn on the exposed brick wall, friendly staff and several slices to choose from. I got a Margherita and a White Pizza with mozzarella, fior di latte, ricotta, grana padano, oregano and lots of garlic. I’m a classic gal at heart and preferred the tomato-based Margherita.
I was cold and wet by this time, so I actually took a taxi to my next destination, Nonna’s Table, a popular east Vancouver restaurant. It’s a pretty simple setting, and there were no pizzas on display, but I was able to grab a glass of wine, and found a few friends with a car so I could get back downtown.
We were presented with two features – the Funghi Misti with mushrooms, bocconcini, and shaved grana padano, and Nonna’s Pizza, with proscuitto, bocconcini, arugula, tomato and grana padano. I preferred the mushroom pizza this time. For me, there were too many greens on Nonna’s special slice, which unfortunately resulted in a flabby crust.
We headed back downtown and I went to what for me would be my last stop on the tour – Pizza Garden, which had just opened its doors on Main Street. Because it was near the end of the evening, the choices were limited and had been on display for a while, so I am hopeful that they produce a better pepperoni pie than the slice I got. They are obviously using quality ingredients and I saw them hand-tossing dough, so I am giving them the benefit of the doubt.
It was a pretty far-flung tour and challenging for me to get to every destination, so I unfortunately missed the opportunity to sample the offerings at Ragazzi Pizza, but from all accounts they were well received.
My favourite of the evening? Straight Outta Brooklyn, by a long shot. I suggest you give them all a try – and let us know what tempted your tastebuds.
I enjoyed your comments Cathy. I’ll have to try Straight Outta Brooklyn next time I’m in the neighbourhood.