La PizzAria has been the talk of town for the last couple of months. A small shop in Gemmayze, recognized by its red curtain. I was so excited to try it, so tonight we dine with the guys.
Behind the red curtain is the restaurant, La PizzAria serves real Italian pizza like they claim. The owner made it a long way in the Nestle and the oil business before leaving everything to cook. He spent one year in Italy to become a pizzaiolo.
A small shop serves pizza and a couple of appetizers. Two floors and an oven, two tables outside, six high chairs at the bar and a simple menu. I was excited to try their pizza.
I was welcomed by the waiter and the owner and invited to sit outside. It was Friday and each table was booked several times over the night. All day indulgence, simple things, the pizza. desserts and drinks. The all day indulgences include mankoushe and Nutella sticks, six salads and 19 pizzas. The pizza prices range from 15,000 to 48,000LBP.
The dough of Fady Abounaoum is the result of passionate research, hard work and experimentation with famous pizzaioli in Italy. The pizza is made with Italian flour and baked in a traditional wood oven. The dough is freshly done every day to indulge you with light, highly digestive and superior taste Neapolitan pizza. The same dough is used for the Mnkouche products to deliver unique, healthy, differentiated and high quality food.
A white placemat, dinner on the sidewalk, calm and positive vibes, the first impression was good and the space invites you to enjoy its simplicity.
Dinner is served:
- Mankoushe like you've never had before. PS: it's extremely hot, wait! A fluffy and airy dough covered with Zaatar, a Zaatar pizza rolled the Lebanese way, stuffed with cherry tomatoes, black olives and fresh basil creating an unconventional mankoushe. A hot, very long mankoushe cut in slices with a light crisp and a super tender heart. An acidic and strong Zaatar, olive oil, juicy sweet tomatoes and the fresh basil aromas and taste. I loved it, but would keep it for lunch or breakfast.
- Fluffy focaccia filled with olive oil. Fresh bread with a fluffy border and a crispy heart topped with crispy oregano and moist olive oil. Simple flavors of Italy.
- La PizzAria insalatone is so fresh! A salad of mixed greens, red cabbage, slices of tomato, black olives, wild rocket with an olive oil juice and lemon. I loved the crisp of those greens, the flavors and especially the firmness of the black olives that add saltiness and a kick of flavor.
- The Gorgonzola and speck pizza: It's a large pizza, no tomato sauce and a dough that's thin but not watery. A thick edge with a chewy enjoyable heart, a light firmness and a toast that puts the flavors up front. The Gorgonzola has a strong flavor, the speck is lightly chewy but surely enjoyable and the oiliness is what you expect.
- Nduja Pizza: It's so yummy! The dough and the chunks of melted cheese, the spicy after-notes, the tomato sauce and the same fluffy, enjoyable border. It has a spread of salami which makes all the difference.
You should know that all the ingredients are imported from Italy, the chef is so passionate about what he does that he inspires confidence and makes you feel at home.
- Oh my God! Please don't skip dessert. Creme patissiere pizza with red fruits. This superb fluffy dough, a rich pastry cream with an enjoyable sweetness and sugar powder on top. Amazing is the least that can be said, the strawberries and fruit rocks!
- The Nutella is as good as you'd expect, the dough is crispier and thinner with lots of Nutella spread on top.
La PizzAria: give it a try! You'll love it.
