All the choices may seem dizzying at Za Pizza Bistro, a new
quick service restaurant in Toronto’s Entertainment District. With 3 crusts
(including gluten-free), 8 sauces, 8 cheeses (including vegan), and 8 meats
with another 20 vegetable toppings, there’s an endless array of combinations.
Can’t decide between the grilled chicken or beef meatballs?
Do the artichoke hearts, roasted red peppers, and arugula all sound good? For
$12.89 you can select anything you want, so you don’t start with a $6.99 base
and end up paying $20 after all the per selection toppings. Although, if you’re
a simple person, they also offer one-cheese ($7.99) or one topping with cheese
($8.89) options.
Visiting on their opening day, when they were giving out free
pizza, I had my doubts about the quality of the pie. After all, new staff with
a continuous line of hungry diners (who are allowed to choose from any of the
aforementioned choices), generally doesn’t make for a successful first
impression.
Hence, when I saw the generous ladles of margherita (a thin
tomato sauce with huge pieces of tomatoes) and liberal sprinkling of mozzarella
cheese go on the pie – before I even asked for anything else – I dreaded being
greeted with a soggy bite. There was no way the ultra-thin crust, consistently
flattened with a machine, was going to hold up to this much liquid.
To my surprise, I was wrong. After about 10 minutes in their
hot flaming oven, the crust became crispy and golden. To the point I could
easily pick up slices heaped with vegetables (red onions, roasted red peppers, green
peppers, artichoke, corn, basil, and roasted garlic).
Even without any of the extra sprinkles or dipping sauces
(also free and available at the condiment counter), the vegetarian pizza was
well-flavored just from the margherita sauce.
While the 11 inch pie is meant to be personal, it’s a
generous size and could even be shared. Especially if you add on a salad ($5.99-$10.99)
or a dessert pizza ($7.99) … an apple crisp pizza with ice cream sounds like it’s
made for me. Or you can just have some leftovers, they smartly leave half-sized
pizza boxes with the condiments so you can doggy bag the rest.
Za Pizza Bistro started in Winnipeg and aims to offer
customers quick and customizable pizzas with house-made ingredients (they prepare
everything in-house including the dough and sauces) at an affordable price. Of
course, not everyone will appreciate all the choices – I’m speaking to you
indecisive person. Don’t worry, each location also offers a signature pizza, so
take a deep breath and take a bite.
How To Find Them
Location: Toronto, Canada
Address: 290 Adelaide Street West
Address: 290 Adelaide Street West
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