A Slice of Little Italy
Nowadays, I find pizza shops mundane and boring. Far too often, they lack creativity and flavor, and brands often taste the same. I would frequently quip sarcastically (but seriously) that I would prefer Fiesta Pizza than the fancy Yellow Cab variants. Frankly, I my taste buds had grown saturated with the all too familiar mix of melted cheese and pepperoni. Sadly, these restaurants often degrade their own taste by offering promos (like their free pizza cards) that leave our palates wanting. Taste was unwittingly sacrificed by putting a premium on who sells more. Or who sells the biggest, for that matter. (I am often amazed by these humongous life-sized pizzas that look amazingly big but dwindle on taste).
Still, the pizza scene remains hopeful with a few foreign brands penetrating the market (read: Papa John's) that offer a different experience (that garlic butter dip is addicting by the way). Moreover, local culinary groups have delved into the world of pizzas, seeking to amp up the drudgery.
Perched on its lofty spot in BHS Central, Nolita promises a genuine New York pizza experience. By now, you would have figured out that Nolita is cryptic for "north of Little Italy", obviously referring to New York's Italian quarter. So, after a wonderful free concert by Jarsofclay, our hungry aching stomachs headed up to the 2nd level to check out this relatively new joint.
The daily menu written in colored chalk: always a good sign.
The place itself was in stark contrast to its surroundings. Surprisingly simple, its interiors exuded a gritty industrial feel, attempting to authenticate the supposed New York experience. Ordering is self-service, as the counter up front displays the day's freshly baked pizza selection. One of my first complaints, however, was that there was no clear label which pizza was which. Compounded by the unique appearance of each, it was difficult to guess their names. Fortunately, the servers were helpful enough to tell you a short story for each. Pick a pizza, and then they re-heat it for you. Fall in line by the counter and select a cozy seat after.
Picnic tables and benches provide a homey feel amidst the gritty industrial vibe.
It took a few minutes to heat the pizza. We also ordered one of their signature burgers just to try out. Even at a late hour on a Sunday night, the place was still abuzz with life. I anxiously waited for our orders, as I feared I would be disappointed by another monotonous flavor. And when our two slices arrived, I was completely amazed!
Chicken Parmesan, P250 / slice
This thing was so huge, the slice was sticking out of the hapless paper plate. Filled to the brim with generous chopped grilled chicken and sticky melted cheese, its tomato base oozes out of its cheese draping. The dough had just the ample thickness to support the heavy toppings, with the outer crust toasted to a crunch. One thing was for sure, with the hefty price, they certainly did not scrimp out on the ingredients.
Cheeseburger Pizza, P190 / slice
I picked the slice of Cheeseburger Pizza. Compared to the Chicken Parmesan, this appeared to lack the visual heft of the latter. Large clumps of ground beef atop a bed of melted sticky cheese and garnished with onions make for a filling treat. Although less heavy, this slice did not lack in flavor. I know a number of pizza joints have attempted to fuse the burger with the slice, but the Nolita version beats them out with its meatier and tastier beef. At less than 200 bucks per slice, this was definitely worth it.
Angus All Beef Burger, P250, with Onion Rings, add P70
For a manly meal, the Angus All Beef Burger was a sight to behold. Cleverly served on a wooden chopping board, the deconstructed burger featured a 6 ounce all beef patty grilled the way you want it. I ordered medium well, and it was cooked accordingly. Thick and meaty, it however lacked the juiciness I was expecting for a burger looking like this. Topped with grilled onions, tomatoes and lettuce, I almost skipped the buns altogether. The saving grace however, were the beer-battered onion rings. These monstrous rings were faultlessly fried to a crisp, while the onion within remained moist. With my first bite, I soon regretted not ordering this separately. Even so, you can add these delightful rings to any order of burger or sandwich for just P70, and you get 6 or 7 huge ones.
Follow the instructions for a worthwhile experience.
One thing was for sure, Nolita has changed the game. I have had enough of the similar looking and dull pizzas of old. With its unique, almost queer flavors (I had never seen a whole sunny-side up egg on top of cheese pizza), my interest in pizza was undoubtedly revived. Despite the heftier price tags, the serving size, quality, and taste maximize your money's worth. In concert with other bloggers, I thought the Angus burger needed a bit of tweaking to get the right amount of juice. The onion rings, on the other hand, are perfect.
Nolita remains abuzz with life even during the wee hours
With its prime location, Nolita is set to occupy the top spot among gourmet pizza spots. For those tired of the same old slice of life, just shell out a few more bucks to taste a different yet authentic experience. For sure, there is nothing little about Nolita, except its name.
Nolita
Upper Ground Floor, Bonifacio High Street Central, West Superblock
7th Avenue corner 29th Street
Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City
Written by Jones
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