Pizzaiolo
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Pizzaiolo is the perfect blend of casual attitude and fantastic food. The service is friendly and accommodating, and with a constantly-revolving menu the culinary offerings are always fresher-than-fresh. The pizza is good, but don't miss out on other things like the meatball sandwiches, salads, and desserts. Or, for something totally different, go on Wednesday nights for movie night, and have an inexpensive and romantic date under the stars.
We recommend the meatball sandwich, avocado and blood orange salad with Acme bread, almond cake with cherries.
We recommend the meatball sandwich, avocado and blood orange salad with Acme bread, almond cake with cherries.
Atmosphere
Appearing quite small from the outside, Pizzaiolo is deceptively large, with two seating areas. The main dining room which, although not large in itself, is still spacious and comfortable. Its dark wood floors and whitewashed exposed-brick walls are complimented by high ceilings and large windows, giving the space an airy, loft-like feel. Tables and booths are simple, yet elegant, wood, and calm, glowing candles tone down a busy bar and bustling open kitchen. Through the dining room and little ways towards the back, a small dining area is nestled in the corridor and, all the way through the back, a wonderful patio with soft lighting and cozy tables is a great way to catch an old movie on a Wednesday night. Pulsing Tribal music creates an energetic, but far from frantic vibe.
Service
One of the most charming qualities of Pizzaiolo is the wonderful and friendly service, from the minute you walk in the door, to the minute you leave. Everyone is upbeat, polite, and extremely accommodating, while still being relaxed and casual.
Food
The menu at Pizzaiolo is small, featuring mostly pizzas, appetizer salads, and a few main courses, though the selections change daily so whatever is on the menu is sure to be fresh. One of the recommendations we had was for the meatballs so we were disappointed to not see them offered. However, it was our luck that Wednesday was movie night on the patio and a $6 meatball sandwich could be had while watching the Blues Brothers projected on the large wall of an adjacent building. The large, garlicky delicacies smothered in rich tomato sauce and shaved parmesan and served on a crusty Acme bread roll certainly did not disappoint, especially sitting outside in the perfect California weather. If only every meal could start this way. After our meatball fix we moved inside for the rest of our meal. A petite and colorful salad of blood orange, avocado, and fennel ($9) was tangy and crisp, with a surprising bite of chili pepper at the end. Crusty and chewy Acme sourdough with butter was perfect on the side, as was a side of gooey stretchy house-made Burrata ($8) A rapini and sausage pizza ($17) was a little on the uneventful side, though the sausage was subtly spicy and the thin crust delicious.
For dessert, an almond cake with local cherry sauce and vanilla ice cream ($8.50) was better when eaten deconstructed. The cake, moist and soft, almost like an angel food cake, was heaven by itself, and the cherry sauce was delicious, but somewhat overpowering. I ate them separately. The vanilla ice cream was disappointing with very little flavor and an overly-icy texture.
To drink, we skipped the specialty cocktails and had a fantastic Boylan root beer ($3). Sparkling water is made in-house, and is offered free of charge.
For dessert, an almond cake with local cherry sauce and vanilla ice cream ($8.50) was better when eaten deconstructed. The cake, moist and soft, almost like an angel food cake, was heaven by itself, and the cherry sauce was delicious, but somewhat overpowering. I ate them separately. The vanilla ice cream was disappointing with very little flavor and an overly-icy texture.
To drink, we skipped the specialty cocktails and had a fantastic Boylan root beer ($3). Sparkling water is made in-house, and is offered free of charge.
Cleanliness
Very clean. Nice bathrooms.
Pros
Excellent food and service at great prices.
Cons
Mediocre ice cream.
