Fresh on Fleek: Napizza
When I heard another pizza spot was opening in Encinitas a few months back, I was A) obviously excited but also B) a little skeptical. The storefront was small, and I wasn't sure what kind of pies this place was going to serve. Was it going to be a take and bake or a sit-down place? Would they serve thin crust or thick? Could I order a glass of wine or would I be limited to soda? These are serious questions people.
However, since Napizza opened, I have quickly become a regular and I can firmly state, Napizza is a great place to stop by for gourmet slices and salads (and wine or beer!).
On my most recent visit, my boyfriend and I decided to stop in for a Sunday night date. Although the Encinitas location is on the smaller side, there is still ample seating for guests. When you walk in your eyes are immediately drawn to the glass case that holds an assortment of gourmet slices.
Pro Tip: Order the Happy Belly Combo. It allows you to pick 2 items (I normally order 2 slices but you can get a soup or a salad) plus a drink for a better price. You can even include wine or beer as part of the special. Adult happy meal at its finest!
I've tried an handful of different slices so far: the "Truffle Porcini", "Veggy Me", and "Bapo" are a few of my favorites. Every time I've visited I've ordered the truffle and mushroom. You definitely need to try this one if you're stopping here for the first time. I'm not a huge mushroom fan, but the ingredients on this pie are one of a kind. Truffle makes anything taste great, now throw in some mozzarella and parsley with fresh mushrooms and you've got yourself a decadent slice!
The toppings are always fresh and unique. Another interesting thing you'll notice is the slices are cut in squares - don't let this throw you off. When they serve you the slice, it's cut down the middle, which makes it perfect for sharing!
Another favorite, the Bapo has potato, crispy bacon, mozzarella and fresh rosemary. I could eat this anytime of the day. You can even add avocado (because why the heck not).
Last night was my first time trying one of their salads. We ordered the Mediterranean Bliss which featured leafy greens, red rice, caramelized onions, tomatoes, red peppers, cheese, and tossed in a homemade basil pesto. Normally it comes served with blue cheese, but since my boyfriend won't touch that with a nine-foot pole, we substituted it for feta. While all of the ingredients were extremely fresh, I couldn't help but wish the salad was more pizza. Maybe this is why I will never be a size 2 and also why I started a pizza blog and not a kale blog.
I love how Napizza prides themselves on fresh ingredients and how they cook their dough. Their dough is another reason I love this place. They take 72 hours to let the dough sourced from Italy 'do it's thang' and rise. This allows them to use less yeast. It's fluffy, thicker than most pies I normally eat, but it has an airiness to it, so it's light.
Overall, Napizza has a warm, inviting feeling, and delicious gourmet slices! It's an excellent spot to go for a low key date night or to drop by with friends. Napizza, you're naaamazzzing!