May 19, 2011 • Comments

Austin Chronicle Restaurant Poll

I have to say that I’m rather disappointed in The Austin Chronicle Restaurant Poll’s pizza decisions.

I really don’t mean to take away from Home Slice Pizza, Conan’s Pizza, and Eastside Pies.  All have excellent pizza and this is absolutely not aimed at them (though in my opinion Home Slice Pizza is only ok).

BUT

Austin’s Pizza, Backspace, and Mangia? Really???!  Here’s the problem with these polls: Those pizza places that have the most chains, cater to the middle-est road, and have the most buzz (in the case of Backspace) are going to get votes from people who don’t really care about the pizza offerings but are self-selecting and filling out a bloated poll*.

Where’s House, Bola, Little Deli, or any of the other excellent pizzas that aren’t chain restaurants?

*and for the record, I did vote in the poll

November 11, 2010 • Comments
This is the leek & Gruyere pizza. I wasn’t a big fan of it (it just didn’t feel like pizza to me), but I can see why other people like it. The leeks are buttery and the prociutto adds just enough salt.

This is the leek & Gruyere pizza. I wasn’t a big fan of it (it just didn’t feel like pizza to me), but I can see why other people like it. The leeks are buttery and the prociutto adds just enough salt.

October 20, 2010 • Comments
The Octoberfest - carraway seed, roasted onions, bratwurst, white cheddar, mustard sauce (not standard on the pizza, it was employee made and really we were the only ones who knew about it, but now the pizza is offered with a side of super-fancy whole grain mustard)

The Octoberfest - carraway seed, roasted onions, bratwurst, white cheddar, mustard sauce (not standard on the pizza, it was employee made and really we were the only ones who knew about it, but now the pizza is offered with a side of super-fancy whole grain mustard)

August 1, 2010 • Comments
Sunday morning breakfast adventure: Pizza 1: eggplant Parmesan - good

Sunday morning breakfast adventure: Pizza 1: eggplant Parmesan - good

July 15, 2010 • Comments

House Pizzeria - The Noble - Baby Argula, Dates, Pork Belly, Goat Cheese

I really missed there being any sort of sauce to this pizza.  Don’t get me wrong, it was good, when I’d get a bite with all the ingredients in it, the dates were balanced by the salty pork and the goat cheese was wonderful.  But there was just something missing.

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Desert - Peaches and Cream - Peaches, honey, pistachios, sage wafer, Robiola (italian triple cream cheese)

This was weird for me and not entirely desert-like.  The Robiola was a little salty for my taste (not salty salty, but rather just too salty for a desert), but once I learned to get plenty of honey on my spoon with each bite it wasn’t so bad.

July 13, 2010 • Comments
Spartan Pizza - The Helen - this time the pizza was perfection.

Spartan Pizza - The Helen - this time the pizza was perfection.

July 12, 2010 • Comments
Denver Side-Quest #2: Original Pizza This is “The Best Seller” which is sliced sausage, pepperoni, and mushrooms (we added fresh garlic which I couldn’t find actually on there). This wasn’t the best pizza.  It was technically ok, more than edible, but the crust was really really dry and tasteless.  I almost never leave bones sitting on my plate, but I couldn’t choke these down.

Denver Side-Quest #2: Original Pizza

This is “The Best Seller” which is sliced sausage, pepperoni, and mushrooms (we added fresh garlic which I couldn’t find actually on there).

This wasn’t the best pizza.  It was technically ok, more than edible, but the crust was really really dry and tasteless.  I almost never leave bones sitting on my plate, but I couldn’t choke these down.

July 12, 2010 • Comments

Denver Side-Quest #1: BeauJo’s

Don’t let anyone ever tell you that the BeauJo’s Mountain Pie is overrated.  It is beautiful and delicious.  The mountain pie (here in the smallest 1 pound size) is amazing.  This is the “Old Settlers” which consists of tomatoes, bacon, artichoke hearts, red onions, Monterey Jack cheese, and cheddar cheese.  I can’t adequately describe the deliciousness of the center.  It tasted like super-gourmet bacon mac and cheese with wonderful tomato taste thrown in.  This pizza, despite it’s looks is not all about the crust.

Speaking of, did you see that crust?  Throw some honey (which they provide at the table) on that and it’s desert.

June 29, 2010 • Comments
Last night was probably the best pizza side-quest I’ve been on yet.  My roommate and I walked to Little Deli and not only was the pizza amazing but the owner (I believe his name is Tony) came over and talked with us for probably 10 minutes about the pizza and his ingredients.  I could tell that he’s really passionate about the food he makes and puts a lot of thought into the menu, not just the pizzas but the sandwiches.  I wish I could transcript all of the information and stories he was telling us about the cheese blend and the spread they use on their sandwiches, but I didn’t think to take notes.  Forget the place I’m working now, I want to work at Little Deli.

Last night was probably the best pizza side-quest I’ve been on yet.  My roommate and I walked to Little Deli and not only was the pizza amazing but the owner (I believe his name is Tony) came over and talked with us for probably 10 minutes about the pizza and his ingredients.  I could tell that he’s really passionate about the food he makes and puts a lot of thought into the menu, not just the pizzas but the sandwiches.  I wish I could transcript all of the information and stories he was telling us about the cheese blend and the spread they use on their sandwiches, but I didn’t think to take notes.  Forget the place I’m working now, I want to work at Little Deli.

June 26, 2010 • Comments
Potato and Goat Cheese at House Pizzeria - delicious

Potato and Goat Cheese at House Pizzeria - delicious