I decided that if I was going to order from Pie-Tanza, I was going to order pizzas I’ve never tried before, pizzas of a different genre (but I’ll be darned if I wasn’t going to order a pizza – everything else here scares me). So I went with more of a Middle Eastern, than Italian, theme.
Goat Cheese & Arugula ($12.99) with thin-sliced prosciutto, sliced pear (yum-factor increasing, right?), goat cheese crumbles, shredded mozzarella, olive oil, and fresh arugula with a drizzle of balsamic reduction “peered” well with the second pizza, a Classic Mediterranean Pizza ($12.99), extra-virgin olive oil, fresh herbs, mozzarella, fontina, sweet roasted tomato, black olives, tomato, and fresh basil with crumbled feta chese.
Taken in tandem, these pizzas were arguably the best one-two punch of pizza pie that I’ve yet had from Pie-Tanza, and certainly makes me wonder if the strength of this restaurant lies in the Middle East; not in Italy. These very Middle-Eastern pies worked well together, and even when served the next day at room temperature, they still were every bit as good if not even slightly better.
So perhaps this is where the heart of Pie-Tanza is – Middle Eastern rather than Italian. Regardless, I’m happy that I ordered out of my comfort zone, and I might do it again in the future.Â
A very good showing, my friends, and one which makes me want to do it again next time. Do you have any suggestions? Thank you, as always, for having my pizzas ready when you say you will (and that goes both for the Arlington and the Falls Church store).
Maintained solidly in Italics in the Dining Guide.