Noel's Top Seven Favorite Pizzerias
#7
Pagliacci
City: Seattle, WA
Website: http://www.pagliacci.com/
Number of times eaten there: Hundreds
Maybe it's part nostalgia, but I've loved Pagliacci for over 30 years. I fondly remember them as the weekly sponsor of Almost Live!
They made artisinal pizza before it was cool. I used to eat at their original location on the Ave practically every day while a student at the UW.
They've expanded a lot throughout the area since then, but they still maintain high quality.
Favorite Pie: Salumi Primo. They team up with the world famous local deli, Salumi, to make one of the best pies you'll ever have. The "double pepp" also has a soft spot in my heart (probably cause from all the grease).
#6
Secret Pizza
City: Las Vegas, NV (Cosmopolitan)
Website: Doesn't have one
Number of times eaten there: 10 or so
Secret Pizza is not a very well kept secret. But if you're looking for it before midnight, it may be a little harder to find. Tucked down an unassuming hallway in the Cosmopolitan casino in Vegas, after about midnight or so the line will extend outwards into the lobby area (and take probably 90+ minutes to wait through)
The first few times I tried it, I thought it was probably good just because I was drunk (which, I will admit, I am about 90% of the time I'm in Vegas).
But - I've had it enough times now to realize that it's actually seriously great pizza.
Best Pie: Pepperoni
Tip: Wait as a group. The line can take FOREVER (sometimes two+ hours). It's handy to be able to step in and out while your friends continue to wait. But trust me, the pizza is actually worth it. Plus, it holds up well for breakfast!
#5
Bar Cotto
City: Seattle, WAWebsite: http://www.ethanstowellrestaurants.com/locations/bar-cotto/
Number of times eaten there: 3
I would call Bar Cotto the most authentically Italian pizza I've eaten in the Seattle area. The crust is spot on, and they cure their own meats for their pies.
#4
Pizzarium
City: Rome, Italy
Website: http://www.gbonci.it/
Number of times eaten there: Twice
As you'll see on this post, a lot of my favorites derive from my trip through Italy. Well, it probably says something that this is the only one I made a point to eat at twice!
Why it's good: High quality variety. Pizzarium is a style called "al taglio", which means "by weight" The guy behind the counter will use scissors to cut however much of a slice you want.
They make truly inventive pies. They're beautiful and tasty. The place is super busy, and you have to eat on the sidewalk, but frankly that's part of the charm. I love this place, and someday will return!
Favorite Pie: I really liked the rabbit pate pie, but the arugula one may be my fave. They have dozens of types, and I suspect they are constantly experimenting.
#3
Antica Pizzeria da Michele
City: Naples, ItalyWebsite: http://www.damichele.net/
Number of times eaten there: Once
Not many restaurants can be said to have forged nations. But such is the case with da Michele. The Margherita Pizza? Invented here. They only serve two pies: Margherita, or tomato and garlic (no cheese).
Why it's Good: The oven at this place turns out crust unlike anything you can get anywhere else. And the building and atmosphere are steeped in history, yet still just as lively today as I'm sure it was centuries ago.
Favorite Pie: Margherita
#2
Antica Pizzeria Porta'Alba
City: Naples, Italy
Website: http://www.anticapizzeriaristoranteportalba.com/
Number of times eaten there: Once
Port'alba is the oldest pizzeria in the world. In 2012, Kyra and I traveled all over Italy. Generally speaking, when trying to judge things from a "favorite of all time" perspective, I'd recommend trying them multiple times to get a true feel for the place.
However - sometimes things are so obviously good as to defy this rule. This pizzeria has literally been here for centuries, so I will assume they are usually as good as they were the day we managed to dine here.
Why it's good: The quality of the cheese. It's so fresh, that when you poke it, it bleeds milk. The crust is light and perfect. A lot of places try to do a Neapolitan style pizza. This is the one against which I judge them all.
Favorite Pie: Margherita, but Kyra's artichokes (right in season, of course!) were delightful.
#1
Apizza Scholls
City: Portland, OR
Website: http://apizzascholls.com/
Number of times eaten there: Roughly 10
Seriously, I've traveled around the world eating pizza, and this is the best I've had. Ironic that it's relatively close to home (I've driven the ~3 hours after getting off work to eat dinner there more than once).
Why it's good: The crust is out of this world. They hand roll and toss it daily, and when they run out, they close for the night. It's one of those rare things that you do a double-take when you eat it, because you didn't know something could be that good.
Favorite Pie: Apizza Amore. The capicola on this pie is spicy and awesome.
