Wiping The Slate Clean and Introducing Adventurer Kevin

It's been a while and, while I've never stopped trying new pizzerias around town, I've missed blogging about it. Since the last time this blog was updated my life and Ian's life both changed, moving in opposite directions. I hope whatever Ian's doing in life he's enjoying pizza every now and again and thinking fondly on our pizzadventuring days.

Now, I'd like to introduce my new pizzadventuring partner Kevin.

I've known Kevin for five years. We got to know each other in a Saturday night RPG group. I have to admit that, much like my pizzadventuring days with Ian, I look back on that Saturday night group with a lot of nostalgia.

Here are three things that I like about Kevin:

1. He has long pretty hair (also pretty green eyes).
2. He's a writer. When the mood strikes us both we've even traded writing for critique.
3. His opinions are always well thought out. Even when we disagree, he'll have thought through his position (something I can't always say about myself).

Check out our "about us" page for more about Kevin in his own words.

With a new partnership I feel it's only fair to wipe the slate clean and go back to Adventure #1. If you've ever walked into a comic shop and heard the news that Marvel or DC has decided to start all over again with issue #1, I feel for you. This isn't a decision I take lightly, but just like I've changed in the last few years (I have a newish husband and a newish baby), I'm sure that some of the pizzerias that Ian and I visited together have changed. Plus, you're going to want to know what Kevin thinks of these places.

Let's talk about new rules. ...sortof new rules. During our first adventure we joked about being the Pizza Supreme Court (Kevin is a law/SCOTUS geek). At least for now, I'm going to run with it. These are the Court Procedures:

1. We will trade off picking a pizzeria.
2. The person who did not pick the pizzeria is the Chief Pizza Justice for the adventure.
3. The picking person is afforded a brief concurring or dissenting opinion for each adventure. If the opinion is dissenting, the pizzeria is eligible to be picked again so that further exploration can be made.

Hopefully the subject of adventure #2 b/c this is one of the best things I've ever put in my mouth.

There are some things that haven't changed though. I still feel strongly about the following:

• We love locally owned pizzerias. Homogenized chain pizza just doesn't hit the spot and doesn't contribute to the awesomeness of our city. With that said, there are more and more chains trying out Austin as their new market and we would remiss if we didn't try them out, just to confirm if they can reach the high bar that our local pizzerias set.
• Specialty pizzas should be a showcase of what the pizzeria does best. These are the topping combinations that the owners/pizziolos recommend, and if they're not putting that much thought into them they are failing to provide a key component of the pizza experience
• A pizza should stand on its own. We know that everyone has different tastes, but the pizza should be at its maximum deliciousness without any help from condiments. If Parmesan, red pepper flakes, or (I shudder at the thought) ranch dressing are needed, they should be a balanced part of the pizza, planned for and integrated into the recipe.

I sincerely hope that Kevin and I can carve out new, wonderful pizza memories and do the blog proud.

Look out for our first Pizza Supreme Court ruling tomorrow!

Adventure #72: Pizza Delight

I might have guessed what to expect from their website, but you know me: always hopeful. In honor of Buzzfeed (and in honor of my time), I present you this brief Pizzadventure.

Ian and Karin ordered a pepperoni and mushroom pizza. It didn't look too bad!

But it was. 

The veggie rolls, with spinach, mushroom, black olives, and feta cheese, looked like giant, thin Hot Pockets. They were good!

But again, the pizza was NOT SO GOOD. Here it is, haunting us.

Ian and Karin disagreed about where on the spectrum of NOT SO GREAT this pizza should go, but they did agree that the crust was good.

DOG PICTURE!

Check out 72 Places to Go Eat Pizza!

- Ian

Adventure #71: 360 Uno Trattoria

360 Uno Trattoria wasn't on my radar in the three years that Ian and I have been pizza adventuring and, after adventuring here I know that there is a good reason. It barely warrants a mention as a pizza place. The decor is upscale and the menu is mostly in Italian, but the pizza is far from classic.

The Sfincione, with Italian sausage, mushrooms, onions, peppers, & pepperoncinis, seemed to have too many toppings and none of them were spectacular. The Italian sausage was the best part, but the rest did nothing to highlight it, especially the canned jalapenos.

We agreed that the crust would have been better for a white, pesto, or chicken pizza as it had a very subtle flavor that could have been complimented with the right toppings. Unfortunately I'm not inspired enough to go back and try it until I hit the right pizza.

My official stance is "Meh".

-Karin

Denver Adventures: Brava Pizzeria Della Strada

Ian was on vacation in Colorado last week and ate some pizza. Because he was on vacation, and because this is Austin pizza adventuring, these are going to be short little postcards.

Brava Pizzeria Della Strada - Website

I found this spot because it happens to be the best reviewed spot in Denver on Yelp. Now, we all know Yelp can be a fickle mistress, she can mislead you, she's a temptress. . .

Denver Adventures: Lucky Pie Pizza and Taphouse

Ian was on vacation in Colorado last week and ate some pizza. Because he was on vacation, and because this is Austin pizza adventuring, these are going to be short little postcards. 

Lucky Pie Pizza and Taphouse - Website

I met up at this downtown establishment with my old friend Meagan and her man Steven. We had a good time (beeeeeeerrrr). Now let's get to the point.