Pizzalina

I was intrigued by Pizzalina from the beginning.  I caught Louise Franz (owner) blogging all about the experience of opening a restaurant from scratch, and in particular, about Pizzalina in San Anselmo.  I visited in February for a bite when I was in the area.

When you walk in the cheerful vibe is noticeable, and the fact that someone cares about the place is evident.  Louise was on the floor, greeting pizza lovers and said hello to me too.

Having life interfere with my blogging, I seem to have misplaced the take out menu I brought home to prompt memory of the pizza I ordered, and since Pizzalina is in tune with the seasons, it isn't on the current posted menu.  I hope it comes back.  It was composed of some of my favorite things!

The pizza had a name after a train stop, and it was composed of prosciutto, figs, caramelized onions and bleu cheese topping the flavorful mozzarella cheese and perfectly crisp and bubbly crust.  I'm getting hungry all over again just describing this.

The pizzas range from $10-$18 currently, and there are salads, pasta, entrees such as wood roasted quail ($22) as well.  The emphasis is local and seasonal, there are wines on tap (Cal-Italian) and microbrews.

The latest Marin County food inspection reports are here.

Pizzalina
914 Sir Francis Drake Blvd.
San Anselmo, CA 94960
(415) 256-9780

For directions, try Anna's Map.

Daniel's Birthday

Again rolls around Daniel's birthday, and this time he chose Zachary's Chicago Pizza in Berekely as the venue to gather his friends. I've heard nothing but good things about Zachary's since moving here in 1997, and somehow I'd never made it there until now. Partly it could be that I've never been a fan of Chicago style thick pizza... seems sooo heavy. It's a good thing to go somewhere despite your preconceived notions, since the pizza was fabulous!

The interior walls are well covered with awards and amusing posters about eating at Zachary's.

Daniel ordered four large pizzas, Mediterranean, Super Veggie,

Spinach Mushroom, and Roasted Red Pepper. All were delicious according to my tastebuds, and reports of the other 9 people around the table.

Here's a close up of my slice of Super Veggie. It was so stuffed with vegetables that it lightened it up.

Miraculously, I found a no sugar added pecan pie after search four bakeries for something non-sugar per Daniel's request. The ingredient list ready rather spookily, but it actually tasted quite fine. We had a little fun with Daniel's candles. Happy Birthday Daniel!

The opportunity presents itself

Yesterday I asked my Dad whether he'd like to eat dinner in, or out. He said that he was in the mood for pizza, so seizing the opportunity we tried the three-week old Moe Moe's in San Rafael. The pizza place has been repainted in bright yellow, and make 'cleaner' looking. There are sports posters and a flatscreen in the corner playing whatever game happens to be on. The owner's name is Moe believe it or not.

Dad and I tried Dandoona and the Veggies Pizza. It was a mad mix of all kinds of veggies: Feta cheese, Basil, Red & Green Bell Peppers, Mushrooms, Zucchini, Spinach, Crushed Garlic, Artichoke Hearts, Black Olives, Roma Tomatoes on a red sauce. The crust was medium thickness with a distinct crispness at the bottom. We liked it! We'll come back.

Restaurant Inspection Results

So new, it has neither been listed or inspected! It will appear on this page when listed.

Find address/phone number/directions on Anna's Map.

Reliable Pizza

Dad, Daniel & I had lunch yesterday at Rocco's Pizza & Pasta in Mill Valley. I had clipped a coupon from a ValPak set that came in the mail the other day for $6 off an XLarge pizza and thought it an opportune time to use it. The restaurant was clean and bright and the manager greeted us enthusiastically.

We gave him a very complicated order. Half Greek and half vegetarian, with a twist. Daniel hates black olives, so we asked all the black olives be put on half of each half. He got it. So the slightly strange appearance of the above pizza was our fault entirely. And we all agreed it was delicious! The crust was wonderful. It had spring and was a perfect foil for the toppings. If the menu seems vaguely familiar, it's because Rocco's is owned by the same person who owns Stephano's. The menu also includes some salads, sandwiches and pasta.

Restaurant Inspection Results

Critical: 1
Noncritical: 0
Last inspected: 4/21/2009

Find address/phone number/directions on Anna's Map.

Nautical Pizza

It seemed like every time I wanted to try out Waypoint Pizza in Tiburon, it was a Tuesday. Waypoint Pizza is closed on Tuesdays. Finally, I was with Dad in Tiburon on a Wednesday and we stopped in for a pizza.

It is so whimsical inside with a coastal theme; the menu is on the bottom of a boat, in chalk and there are umbrellas over some of the tables. It is a good place for kids; a mother was with her son to the side of us, and he was quite fascinated by the wooden pepper shaker in shape of a lighthouse. Then a gaggle of giggly girls came in, about six who probably had barely come into the 'teenage' years. Pretty soon a lone boy about their age started to come into the store and was greeted by a chorus of 'Hi Al-lan' (name changed to protect the guilty), to which he did a kind of sheepish moonwalk backwards out the door, never to be seen again at that lunch hour.

In the meantime, the Grilled Vegetable Pizza that we ordered came on a wooden paddle. The ingredients were good, and obviously fresh. However the tomatoes, zucchini, red peppers, eggplant, red onion were a tad on the cold side, seemingly pre-grilled and not reheated all the way. Probably had more healthy enzymes that way. We nevertheless enjoyed the meal and the atmosphere.

Restaurant Inspection Results
Critical: 1
Noncritical: 0
Last inspected: 3/30/2009

Find address/phone number/directions on Anna's Map.