Pizza - The Hungry Nomad

Beer, Food, Italian food, Louisiana, New Orleans, Pizza, Romantic

Wood Pizza Bistro and Taphouse- Warehouse District (New Orleans, LA)

March 11, 2015 No Comments

The newest restaurant addition to the Warehouse District is Wood Pizza Bistro & Taphouse located just across the street from Cochon. We were in town for Mardi Gras and as expected all restaurants were packed before the parades began. Initially, we wanted to have a sandwich at Cochon Butcher but with a line up around the corner we thought twice. Looking around I noticed this unassuming new restaurant with a large outdoor seating along an old brick wall. It reminded me of many places in New York and I was immediately attracted. It turns out that head chef, Will Salisbury, grew up in Long Island (no wonder) and spent months eating his way through Italy (as I have). So it was a win-win.

The restaurant as the name gives away serves pizza and salads. Not any kind of pizza but the real wood-burning oven kind. Inside, the restaurant is cozy and small with a small pizza assembly open-concept kitchen tucked in the corner and a larger bar serving awesome regional beers (40 beer taps with lots of craft brews from Louisiana and the South).
The pepperoni and mushroom pizza was delicious with a perfectly baked crust, generous amounts of fresh mozzarella cheese, mushrooms and pepperoni. The large salad was generous enough to feed our party of 3 all washed down by our pitcher of beer. Wood has definitely raised to the top of my go-to places in Nola for good eats on a patio. If you are craving pizza, you know the real Italian kind then definitely head to Wood. You won’t regret it!

Food

Pizza Domenica- Uptown (New Orleans)

June 1, 2014 No Comments

New Orleans is buzzing with energy and new developments on all ends, especially in the dining scene where it seems that new restaurants are opening monthly if not weekly. The latest exciting restaurant opening is Pizza Domenica the newest addition to the Besh Restaurant Group led by the talented Alon Shaya of Domenica Restaurant and named as one of Travel and Leisure’s Hottest New Restaurants in the USA.

Pizza Domenica is located Uptown and takes a more casual approach to Italian dining. The counter-service layout is interesting to say the least if not a bit confusing. Diners line up and choose their order from a large chalk written menu on the wall. They then pay at the counter and are given a number cleverly placed on a bottle of olive oil. They then wait for a table to become available. Once one is available you are quickly escorted to the table and a server then comes to bring your order. If you want to add to the order you can do so at the table. Which begs one to ask, why then does one have to order at the counter? The entire process was a bit confusing and frustrating to say the least. Many diners have since complained of this aspect of the restaurant but on the numerous occasions I’ve visited since it’s opening, we found it to be straight forward and efficient.

The food on the other hand is outstanding as can only be expected from Alon Shaya and his team. First up was the garlic knots with a side of whipped provolone cheese dripped in olive oil. This little piece of heaven was so good that I could go back only to have a bite of this. A warm, gooey twisted dough tossed in garlic butter served with an airy, light and creamy dip made with provolone cheese.

As for the pizza there are 19 to choose from and really you can’t go wrong. My favorites so far have been the ‘Basil Pesto’ and the ‘Calabrese’. I have yet to taste the other 15 unique pizzas offered on the menu. As for the actual pizza itself, the dough is baked to a perfect crisp on the outside and chewy on the inside. The toppings are generous and fresh with a ham slicer in the open-concept kitchen to slice the proscuitto and other toppings on the spot. It can’t get better than that!

Overall, Pizza Domenica is yet another great addition to the New Orleans dining scene. So good that since it’s opening I have driven from Lafayette to New Orleans just to get another bite out of their pies.

Food, Italian food, Philadelphia, Philadelphia Blogs, Pizza, USA

Philly’s Top Pizza Places (Philadelphia, USA)

August 7, 2013 1 Comment

If there is one food that everyone has a strong opinion about, it’s pizza. This debate includes everything from the appropriate thickness of pizza crust to the right cheese to sauce ratio. Having spent most of my life in the pizza place that a family friend owns and four months in Rome, I have developed my own strong opinions about this popular pie, and have come to scrutinize pizza places in America much more harshly than before. That being said, there are a few places in Philadelphia that I enjoy going to when I am craving a big slice of pizza.

1. Pizzeria Stella

It shouldn’t come as a shock at this point that I am a fan of Stephen Starr restaurants, and Pizzeria Stella is no exception. While there are appetizer and salad options, the emphasis of this restaurant is on pizza. When I tried this place out, I really enjoyed the Zucchini Pizza. This wood oven pizza came with tomato, zucchini, and ricotta. I particularly enjoyed the ricotta because it added a richness to the dish that made it more filling than your average veggie pizza.

The San Daniele is also a great option because it packs a flavorful punch with each bite. This pie comes topped with prosciutto, mozzarella, and arugula, which are all flavors that have been universally recognized as complimentary. Depending on your taste, one of these pizzas may seem more appealing to you than the other, but on the off chance that neither jump out at you, there are a dozen more options on the menu to satisfy all kinds of people. If you’re a pizza fan and enjoy Starr restaurants, Pizzeria Stella is a fantastic place to check out, especially since you can watch people rolling out dough right in front of you!

2. Angelinos Restaurant and Pizza

I have several friends that live in the Fairmount area, so when I visit them and I’m in the mood for pizza, I like to go to Angelino’s. With more options on the menu than Pizzeria Stella, this restaurant appeals to people who like a wide range of classic Italian-American dishes, including hoagies, strombolis, and Italian paninis.

However, since this is a post about pizza, I’ll stick to the stars on that list. My two favorite pizzas here were the West Coast and Angelino’s Mediterranean Special. The West Coast pizza is a white pizza that comes with sundried tomatoes and ricotta. I think sundried tomatoes are incredibly flavorful, and the ones here are delicious. They add another layer of flavor to the dish. I also enjoy the Mediterranean style pizza because I love the combo of spinach and feta. I think that the two flavors are very different in strength, so they go well together. If you’re in the area and want some good pizza this is a great kid-friendly restaurant to check out.

3. Pietro’s Coal Oven Pizza

If you’re in the mood for gourmet pizza, but don’t want to go to another Stephen Starr restaurant, this is a great place to check out. I always get the Roma here. Although I doubt the validity of this name considering I never saw a pizza in Rome that included chicken, artichokes, and bacon, this pizza is Pietro’s most satisfying one. There is just enough of each of those three ingredients to add flavor to the pizza without being overwhelming. The chicken was tender and the bacon was crispy both times I’ve gotten this, so I was pretty happy with my order. I would suggest trying to get one of the pizzas on their pre-made list though because if you like a lot of toppings, the build your own pie option can get pricey very quickly. If you’re spending a day in the Rittenhouse area and are craving some pizza, Pietro’s should be a place you consider going.

4. Rustica Pizza

I’ve only been to Rustica once, so I can only attest to the flavor of the one pizza I have had here, but it was so good that I felt compelled to add it to my list. The pizza I did get was called Bistecca del Tartufo and was phenomenal. This white pizza was topped with juicy truffled steak and caramelized onions. I enjoyed the flavors and felt like I was getting everything that I love wrapped up in one dish: pizza and steak. There wasn’t a thing that I would change about this pizza and I’m really glad that I got it. I don’t spend a lot of time in the Northern Liberties area, but if I did, I’m sure I would visit Rustica more!

5. Birra

I think that Birra is a fun and satisfying way to fulfill your pizza craving and is definitely worth a visit if you’re in the area. The pizza isn’t the best in the city, but this restaurant certainly has the most character when compared to the other places on this list. The best pizzas that I have had at this place are the classic Margherita and the Pear & Gruyere White Pizza.

The Margherita is fantastic for those who like the clean, crisp taste of cheese pizza, but want to add a little pizzazz to it, which is accomplished by the basil. However, if you’re the more adventurous eater, the Pear and Gruyere Pizza is the way to go. This pizza is fantastic for any lover of the sweet and salty combo. The creamy Gruyere cheese balances the sweet pear well, while the arugula adds a hint of pepper to it. For people who love to pair a beer with a pie, this place is especially great because they have an extensive beer list, including Strongbow hard cider and various Italian beers.While this place probably appeals to the younger crowds and is usually busy, I would suggest stopping in one day to get the Birra experience.

I have had some truly awful pizza before, but never at any of the places on this list. While I’m still waiting for that magical bite that reminds me of Rome, I don’t mind grabbing a pizza from one of the places above. The next place I want to try is definitely In Riva since I’ve heard amazing things about it. However, even more than that, I’m hoping that a great pizza place will open up in the Temple area. Pizza is a controversial yet universally loved food, and now that I’m back in Philly, I’m sure I’ll try a ton more pizza places in the upcoming months.

Philadelphia, USA

Pizza with a view at In Riva- East Falls (Philadelphia, USA)

June 22, 2013 2 Comments

What a better way then to spend a sunny summer evening sipping on a cool beverage with the golden sunset beaming down on the river and reflecting off the old intertwining bridges which make up most of Kelly Drive?

As a frequent runner and cyclist on Kelly drive (yes! I exercise as much as I eat) I often pass by In Riva, yet have never stopped in (given my sweaty state). On one of our last nights in Philadelphia we decided to spend the evening on Kelly drive where we spent so much of our time throughout the year. As soon as I entered the restaurant, I regretted not having gone sooner. The inside is modern, and minimalist with a friendly hostess ready to greet you at the door. We wanted a table outside on the deck looking over the river and had to wait a few minutes for one to come up.

Specializing in Napoletana style piza prepared in a wood fire oven, house made pastas and antipasti, the menu delivers great renditions on southern Italian classics. We ordered the Burrata Caprese salad for our starter and a Pepperoni pizza to share. The selection of pizzas are as authentic as it comes making it really hard to settle on one. But being a sucker for pepperoni I opted for it after our waiter told us that it was imported Italian pepperoni and not the American kind. The Burrata Caprese salad was perfectly executed with completely unique flavors. The vinegar soaked cherry tomatoes added an extra layer of flavor to the creamy burrata and arugula. The wood oven pizza served on top of an empty tomato sauce can was absolutely perfect. In fact, so perfect that we considered ordering a second pizza to savor the experience. The crust was perfectly chewy with just the right amount of tomato sauce, cheese and savory slices of pepperoni.
In Riva was such an amazing discovery. I wish I had managed to go early on in my year in Philadelphia as opposed to leaving it to the last week. Hopefully by sharing this post more people will venture out to Kelly drive for some of that traditional Italian pizza.

Philadelphia

The Hungry Nomad at Nomad Pizza- Bella Vista (Philadelphia, USA)

March 1, 2013 1 Comment

A restaurant serving brick oven Neapolitan pizza? In Philadelphia? Called Nomad Pizza? This I had to try! If not for the pizza then for the creative name of the restaurant.

Nomad pizza is tucked away right off of South street in a two story building. The first floor of the restaurant being the smaller of the two consisted of the large brick oven, counter top space and a few tables. The side stairs take you upstairs to a much more spacious dining room where a communal dining table lines the middle of the restaurant with separate seating lining the walls. The large screen at one end is used for their movie nights. The menu consists of some delicious locally sourced salads and pizzas (see menu). I also learned that Tom Grim, co-owner of Nomad Pizza and 14 of his staff members had just returned from Rome where I assume they ate a lot of Roman pizza. I’m sure they have new fresh off the boat Italian tricks to implement into their dishes. As for our meal, we started off with a roasted root salad.

It was simply divine. Pieces of local organic wood fire roasted beets and carrots, atop a bed of garlic sauteed pea greens, topped with balsamic reduction and finished with garlic chive chevre. The root vegetables tasted earthy and fresh like they were just picked out of a garden out back.

Next, we had the margherita ($12), arugula con proscuitto ($18) and truffle pecorino ($18) pizzas. A lot can be said about a pizza shop when tasting their margherita. It’s the simplest pizza on the menu but often times the tastiest. It begins with the dough- a good pizza dough is the basis for a good pizza. The dough at Nomad Pizza was the perfect dough: perfectly chewy, savory and the right amount of crispy with just the right number of char spots lining the crust.

The margherita could have had more tomato paste as despite the generous portion of mozzarella cheese it was a bit on the dry side. As for the other toppings there was a wide range of offerings on the menu. My favorite for the evening however, had to be the truffle pecorino. However, eyeing our neighbor’s pizza there seem to be many other delicious varieties that I have yet to try.

The arugula con prosciutto consisted of arugula greens topped with prosciutto di parma. It was delicious despite it also being on the drier side.

If you like the taste of truffle oil, you will really enjoy the truffle pecorino pizza. The chewy pizza dough was topped with mozzarella di bufala, shiitake mushrooms, garlic, fresh egg, with tartufo and truffle oil. The egg was blended on the pizza table-side.

While completely full after our fabulous meal, the site of a nutella pizza on the menu was too good to resist. And so of course we had to try it. It was the same pizza dough slapped with generous amounts of chocolaty nutella, crunchy hazelnuts and strawberry (instead of banana as requested). One thing that we all noticed was the aftertaste of garlic. It ruined the taste a bit…but not enough to outweigh eating all that nutella.

Overall, we all really enjoyed our meal at Nomad Pizza and will definitely be going back for their next movie night

Philadelphia, USA

Pizza at Birra- Italian Market (Philadelphia, USA)

July 23, 2012 No Comments

Our first weekend in Philadelphia and we were already in search of pizza. We headed to the Italian Market to yelp our way to a pizza shop. At that point, I had not done any research on restaurants in Philadelphia so I really knew nothing about where to go and what to eat. But when you crave pizza, you find pizza, and you eat pizza. We parked on Passyunk street and found Birra through yelp. It is a modern Italian restaurant serving mostly pizza and anti pastis. (See menu)

We started with the Salumi dish with three different types of cured meats served with pickles, red peppers and a special sweet sauce. The portions were very generous. It was the first time ever that we did not finish our Salumi dish.

The Salumi was served with a bowl of different fresh breads. The focaccia style bread was very oily but nevertheless tasty.

For our main dish we created our own pizza. You can choose between red or white sauce and choose the number of toppings. We chose red sauce with mozzarella cheese, fresh tomatoes and arugula.

It was a very flavorful pizza. Generous amounts of cheese and all other toppings. It is not a brick oven pizza and made like your average pizza: in an oven. But the end result is good enough.

If you like beer, you will also enjoy their variety of craft beers on tap and in bottles. We went very early on a Saturday but the place was almost full. A range of different characters and an overall loud ambiance. We also noticed that all the servers and bartenders were tattooed up. Perhaps its a criteria before getting hired? Overall, we both enjoyed our meal at Birra. The food was satisfactory and served in generous portions. It was not the best pizza I’ve ever had but it certainly did satisfy our craving.

Gourmand, New Orleans, Pizza

Ancora Pizzeria and Salumeria-Uptown (New Orleans)

July 5, 2012 No Comments

So little time was left in New Orleans and yet so many delicious restaurants to try. It was hard to narrow down the choices to all we could possibly consume in our one week feast prior to our departure. Ancora Pizzeria was an obvious choice since it is the only place in New Orleans that offers true brick oven pizza straight from Naples. And really, who doesn’t love a good Neopolitan pizza.

What is so special about a brick oven pizza imported from Italy? You may want to refer to my post on Nicli Antica Pizzeria in Vancouver.

The Neapolitan brick oven pizza is a new phenomenon in New Orleans although I was up to date on the trend having recently returned from Vancouver where they are popping up all over the place (Barbarella and Nicli to name only a few).

We ended up at Ancora Pizzeria on a Monday night feeling confident that the wait would not be long. And we were right. There was no wait to be seated since half the restaurant was empty- rightfully so on a Monday night. However, we were starved. And I mean S-T-A-R-V-E-D. I had not had a real meal all day looking forward to my pizza and being too busy running around with last minute errands prior to the move. Our server took our order in a timely fashion but failed to warn us that there was only one chef on staff that night given the night of the week and that there were three tables ahead of us. This resulted in us waiting over an hour for our pizza. Had I known that the wait would have been so long I would have ordered a starter to settle my stomach. Anyhow, this was only a slight hiccup as once the pizza arrived it made the wait well worth it and all else was forgotten.

Ancora’s pizzas are made from flour, water and sea salt. No commercial yeast is used as they make clear on their website. In fact the dough takes three days to prepare from start to finish. Now that is dedication. The selection is limited but all the better since every single dish uses high quality products resulting in one delicious pizza. Staying true to their name they only serve pizza and a selection of house cured meats (see menu).

The pizza crust was thin, crispy and chewy. It was perfect. There were minimal toppings but all of high quality. We ordered the Margherita and another one which is not on their online menu. Both pizzas consisted of fior di latte mozzarella cheese, tomato sauce and basil. The second pizza had fresh tomatoes and garlic added to the mix for a wonderful burst of flavors.

As the photos reveal there were several burnt bubbles which I have been taught is a big no-no when presenting a Neapolitan pizza- but it didn’t take away from the flavors. All in all, Ancora Pizzeria serves one mean Pizza and the best I have had in New Orleans.

I love Freret street and how its being revitalized by local businesses. The Cure, Company Burger, High Hat, Dat Dog and Ancora Pizzeria have really made this street the place to be if you are looking for good food followed by great drinks at the Cure.