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Shorter menu could be big for Mt. Pleasant pizza eatery
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Mic Smith
The Post and Courier
La Pizzeria
Is the southern end of Coleman Boulevard becoming Mount Pleasant's Little Italy? With Andolini's, Bacco, Iacofano's Deli and Pizzeria, Pasta Grille, Sette, and now La Pizzeria, it is easy to satisfy your appetite for most things Italian. La Pizzeria is in a strip mall shopping center at Coleman and Houston Northcutt boulevards in a space formerly occupied by a pizza restaurant. The new owners have spruced up the place by enclosing a narrow side patio, adding mood lighting by way of an odd assortment of stringed lights, dried flowers and plastic tablecloths. It straddles the crossroads of eat-in and carry-out design. There is a tall counter where you can place your order to go. Outdoor seating, a few tables in the front of the restaurant and the side patio provide table service. A chalkboard lists the daily specials (which could include an appetizer, pizza, panini, pasta or dessert) along with a pasta menu of baked ziti with Bolognese sauce, lasagna, gnocchi with a Gorgonzola sauce or a red sauce in the style of Sorrento. Spaghetti was available with shrimp or squid sauce. This is an awkward menu to read, positioned as it is on the wall space above the dining tables and out of sight if you are seated on the patio or outdoors. There also is a printed menu sheet with appetizers, salads, brick-oven specialties, panini, pizza and gourmet pizza. La Pizzeria serves a square, thick-crusted Sicilian pizza ($17) and a square Caprese-style pizza ($25) topped with fresh mozzarella, tomatoes and basil — a play on Caprese salad, perhaps? They also offer a round Neapolitan pizza in three sizes: 10-inch ($7), 16-inch ($11) and 18-inch ($13). A large variety of cheeses, meats, seafood and vegetables allows you to customize the pie. You also may select from the Gourmet Pizza menu, featuring more than 16 selections in four sizes from a 10-inch "pizzette" to a square pizza. The Parmigiana family is well-represented with Sausage, Sausage and Peppers, Chicken, Meatball and Eggplant all economically priced at $7 per panini. Salad offerings include a Caprese ($7), Spinach ($7), Garden Salad ($4, $5) and Caesar ($6). The salads were generously sized, but the house dressing lacked flavor, and we feel the option of Thousand Island and Creamy Ranch are not conducive to the Italian flavor palette. A simple, classic vinaigrette would work wonders. La Pizzeria felt like a work in progress. It was understaffed; the kitchen crew was inadequate to manage both the carry-out orders along with the dining-in customers. The variety of pizza options were an impediment to creating a reasonable flow from the kitchen, especially if a table ordered from the pizza menu and the chalkboard entree offerings. The Pizza Margherita ($8) passed our pizza test in that you could fold your slice in half and bring it to your mouth. The crust was thin and crisp, the basil fresh and the mozzarella creamy although it appeared to have been "sprinkled" on the pizza when it came out of the oven. The cubes of cheese were warm on the outside, melting into the slice, but cold when you bit into them. We customized the classic Neapolitan ($7) with a topping of sausage. It was served in a manner seen in some New York pizza parlors: vertical slices of the sausage cut from the link, compared with bits of ground sausage meat scattered on the pizza, making for a pleasant textural element. We also tried the Spaghetti with Shrimp ($13.95) and found the portion generous. The shrimp was fresh, the garlic robust and the Italian flat-leaf parsley added both color and flavor. Nuggets of diced tomatoes punctuated a lively tomato sauce. Unfortunately, the pasta was a bit overcooked. No bread was available for the pasta. Oddly, the only water available is to purchase "by the bottle," and there is an up-charge of 50 cents if you want "decaf" coffee products. We were told the pastries were imported from Italy and that the cannoli and tiramisu were made in-house. We did not order dessert. Service was very slow, and many tables received their meals in bits and pieces. Our server was pleasant, but enthusiasm does not curb an appetite nor does it act as salve when the kitchen is slow. Part of our order was forgotten. La Pizzeria seems lost in translation. Neither the front of the house nor the back of the house was able to manage carry-out, eat-in, clean, clear, serve, cook and the check. Hopefully, La Pizzeria will learn the "less is more" lesson. Because it seems that there is more to like once the kitchen begins to offer less.
La Pizzeria
Neighborhood Favorite
Phone: 375-4607.
Address: 976 Houston Northcutt Blvd., Mount Pleasant.
Food: ***
Service: * 1/2
Atmosphere: *
Price: $-$$
Costs: Appetizers, $5-$9; salads, $4-$8; panini, $6-$7; calzones and stromboli, $7; pizzas, $7-$25; entrees, $12.95-$13.95; daily specials; desserts $2.75-$5.
Vegetarian Options: Yes.
Bar: House red and white wines. A Chianti and Pinot Grigio. Moretti and limited bottled beers.
Hours: 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Mon.-Thurs.; 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Fri.-Sat.; 4-9 p.m. Sun.
Decibel Level: Moderate.
Wheelchair Access: Yes.
Parking: Strip mall parking lot.
Other: Take-out.
Restaurant facts: Rating criteria include quality and presentation of food, service and ambiance, while taking into consideration the type of restaurant — elegant, night out or neighborhodd favorite.
Agree or disagree with our reviewer? Offer your opinion below.
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Comments
Posted by queeny1 on January 31, 2008 at 12:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I was very disappointed to read your review of La Pizzeria. We have been eating at La Pizzeria since these new owners took over, and we find it fabulous. We have seen how hard they work and have worked to get it up to where it is now and to have such a crushing review from you is horrible. We travel from Summerville to La Pizzeria at least twice a month and meet with a group of friends. The pizza is the absolute best in Charleston...The BEST! The pasta and gnocchi, as well as the shrimp risotto are out of this world. Service could be a little better, but this is a small restaurant, and I guess we realize that, and are not in a hurry when we go there. Their red wine is imported from Italy and is a fabulous chianti. This reviewer, needs to go back and do another review. The review given was way too harsh, and Lauda and Giovanni work way too hard to have a review like this. This is not downtown eating or even high class Mt. Pleasant eating,...it is a pizza parlor with little extras. You based your review on 5 star establishments and the 3 stars that you gave for the food is way too low. Your review gets one star.* Plus, you left out the best part of the review, which is the desserts. They are out of this world. Your review was terrible.
Christine
Posted by Mayor on January 31, 2008 at 1:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Queeny1, hang on there. I go to La Pizzeria a lot more than you and the one thing you can count on is inconsistency in the service and how long you have to wait. They tell everyone who calls, "20 minutes", for your pizza. Why don't they just be honest. Call me when it's ready! The pizza is THE BEST! Period! Not only in this town but as good as anywhere in the US. And a note to the reviewer Deidre, who I respect, Why Go in a place called La Pizzeria and order all the insane dishes you did? Judge the place by its pizza, nothing more. And Deidre, it's on the west end of Coleman, south is not to be found. 5 star pizza place, go and find out.
Posted by MSC on January 31, 2008 at 2:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I've always thought Deidre was fair and honest with all of her reviews. She would be doing a disservice if she only ordered pizza. Pastries imported from Italy? Am I the only one who is a little wary of this? Why the up charge on decaff? Only bottled water...Sounds like a nickel and dime operation, to me.
I'm sure she visited more than once, too.
She wrote her opinion and the details of her visit. It is up to the reader to decide if a meal there is in their future.
In spite of her less than seller column, I will try this place and decide for myself if it is worthy enough to be in my rotation.
Posted by robgo84 on February 1, 2008 at 5:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Well, my husband and I have been eating at La Pizzeria at least once, and often twice, a week for the last few months. We were introduced to it by friends who eat there even more than we do. And yes, it can be a little slow and disorganized. BUT, the warmth of the owners, the pleasant vibe, and the final product is worth it! The pizza is absolutely delicious! Also try the spinach salad with Lauda's brown eggs. And, we always order the pie (riccotta) with the berries for dessert. As one of the local chef's said on a local food forum: "go. eat."
Posted by thewalters on February 1, 2008 at 9:19 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Sorry, Deidre, but you are sooo far off the mark on LaPizzeria. If you want AUTHENTIC Italian pizza, La Pizzeria is the best spot this side of the Atlantic. The pies are topped with fresh buffalo mozarella...try the margherita or the caprese, they are guaranteed to bring you back again and again. Too bad that you skipped the desserts, they are absolutely divine. If you want Americanized fast food service you should go somewhere else, but if you want to enjoy a delicious pizza and enjoy a relaxing meal...this is the spot!
Posted by MLC on February 1, 2008 at 11:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Wow, so much passion for pizza!!
Having eaten there a number of times, here is my 2 cents,
AUTHENTIC Italian pizza, sorry it is not even close to it, it is good NY style pizza. Fresh Buffalo mozzarella is never used on authentic Neapolitan pizza (too much whey is still in it and would make the pizza too liquidy) also Neapolitan pizza is cooked in high fired wood burning ovens.
The closest thing to Italian pizza, or should I say Neapolitan pizza (as there is bad pizza in many Italian cities) is found at EVO and Monza,as far as the pasta, just so so.
Posted by Mayor on February 1, 2008 at 12:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)
MLC is an idiot! Wood burning oven is working at La Pizzeria. EVO is some whacked out pizza never seen in this town before. It's great pie also. How can we argue over pizza? It is like arguing over each others wives. Which one is better? Depends on the mood and the evening.
Posted by MLC on February 1, 2008 at 4:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Since the Mayor can't tell wood from gas, I would hate to be his wife and have him argue for me! I never said one was better than the other, just said one was NY style other Neapolitan style. They are both good, sometime I like my pizza NY style , sometimes I like my pizza whacky!!!
Posted by IOP4ME on February 1, 2008 at 8:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Either way, the pizza here is good. Don't let the review discourage you from checking it out. If you wan't great service, go to Charleston Grill. They don't sell pizza though.
Posted by donnag on February 2, 2008 at 12:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)
We discovered La Pizzeria while at this year's parade. We not only were served by the owner, but we found the pizza to be the "BEST" since leaving N.Y. I agree with the Mayor why are you ordering spaghetti in a restaurant that specializes in Pizza.
Posted by magoo on February 21, 2008 at 6:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)
standard frozen mock italian fare, Desserts imported ?? Highl doubtful,
Posted by magoo on February 21, 2008 at 6:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)
queeny obviously you have not had any better italian food then what you get out of the frozen food section at the grocery store, this place food is just about the same, except they warm it up for you in the microwave.
Posted by italianfoodie on March 6, 2008 at 11:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)
magoo..its a Pizzeria that also serves some simple italian dishes. hence the name. Pizza is what they are passionate about which is why they pay probaly 3 times as much for Tipo 00 flour from Naples, Italy as someone like Andolini's does. I think thats who you are thinking of. Everyone we have ever sent there has thanked us and said best pizza they ever had in the south. period.
And yes there is a company called Bindi who flies in desserts daily from milan, Italy. frozen. They are used by many places in New York becasue they are better than most pastry chefs can make and actually cost less. try one before you make uninformed comments.If they are good enough for Italian cafes in Manhattan ..they should be fine for Mount Pleasant.
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