Pizza Time! My Favorite Ottawa Pizza Joints Part: 2
Dearest Readers! Has it been two weeks already since last we were gathered here at this hallowed blog? My most sincere apologies, but I have been BUSY. With what, I hear you asking? Well, first of all, if you’re anywhere in the Ottawa area, you should check out my article in Edible Ottawa magazine! I got to speak to a number of fantastic local producers about some of their amazing products. If you’re not sure where to grab a copy, go ahead and follow that link to their site. There’s a list of locations where you can snag yourself a copy.
I’m also still working on another top-secret project that I can only hope will be as impactful as intended. It’s big stuff, and I can’t wait to share more specifics with you, but for now, patience.
Anyways, y’all remember a while ago, when I wrote a post about some of my favorite local pizza places? Sure you do! It had some great engagement on social media, proving that if there’s one thing people care about, it’s their local pizza parlour.
In said post I waxed poetic about Heartbreakers Pizza, Art-Is-In Bakery, Roberto Pizzeria and City Goose (aka Pizza Nerds). I stand by everything I said about those fine establishments. They all are making exceptional pizzas in their own particular styles.
You may also remember I expressed my disdain for the Ottawa-style pizza. I said “This is the style of pizza I like the least. The crust is so thick and doughy. There’s a lot of toppings, but they’re under the cheese. Did I mention the cheese? So. Much. Cheese. You know it’s cheese overkill if even I’m saying “Hey, that’s a lotta cheese.”
Have I changed my mind? Let’s find out, shall we? *Spoiler Alert: I have not*
Farinella
When I last posted my local pizza picks, the number one comment I got was “where’s Farinella?” To which I had to meekly reply “I… I just haven’t really tried them yet.” And it was true. Except for a cold, leftover slice from someone’s night-before pie, I hadn’t. I certainly wasn’t going to judge them on that. I’m happy to now report that Farinella joins my list of divine Ottawa pizza joints. This is beautiful, long, Roman-style pizza and Perugian-style gelato made by a brother-sister team who actually learnt their trades in those regions of Italy. The results are spectacular. The pizzas are thin, the crust has perfect flavour, bite and char. The toppings are so perfect and judiciously applied. Tradition with a healthy dose of fun is what you’ll get. The Salamino is our personal favorite, with the Romana coming in as a close second. Don’t sleep on the gelato, either. Plus, carrying those long pizza boxes is always a fun and exciting spectacle. Check out exactly how they do what they do on their website, here.
Stay Gold Pizza
Remember how I said I didn’t like thick, doughy pizza? How I said thin, ethereal crust is where it’s at? Remember how I said Ottawa-style pizza wasn’t for me? Well, two wrongs and a right in those previous statements. You see, thick pizza CAN be amazing and a shatteringly thin crust ISN’T always necessary. This is what I’ve learnt since trying Stay Gold’s Detroit-style pizza. This is a very different pizza than what I’m used to. Deep, deep dish, like Chicago-style, but with those dark, crispy, cheesy edges that are so damn addictive. Just a few squares of these bad boys put me right to bed, happy and farty as can be. The pies are all playfully named (Pepp Talk, Shroom Service, The Notorious P.I.G.) and it’s a whole new dimension of local pizza I’m excited to explore. I loved the Bee Sting (pictured above) and Liz and I also really enjoyed the Mission ImPESTOble. Check these fine fellows out here.
So, that’s an additional pizza wrap-up for you all. As always, what do you think? Agree, disagree? Did I miss your favourite AGAIN? Let me know in the comments below, or shoot me an email! Can’t wait to hear from you all! Until next time!
