(tomdouglas.com/serious-pie) – Downtown
How I heard of this place: Come on – it’s Tom Douglas.
Type of cuisine: A spin-off of an Italian staple: pizza.
Ambiance: Casual – It’s generally quite busy in this small, downtown restaurant, but today we didn’t have to wait long to be seated – just in time for the host to seat the couple in front of us. Large tables are shared by parties of two, four, or anyone who can be squeezed in. The pizza is slow to the table, but worth the wait as it’s prepared only when ordered. Be prepared to make friends with your neighbors while dining – passing the red pepper flakes, bumping elbows or excusing yourself to exit.
What I ordered: The first time I was there, we ordered a favorite on the menu (and a staple as it always seems to be an option): Yukon gold potato, rosemary and pecorino. We also ordered something with mushrooms and cheese, infused with truffle oil. An appetizer of goat cheese infused with truffle oil and grilled bread was the hit of that experience. This time, as is generally the case, our party ordered the Yukon gold potato pizza, two of the roasted yellowfoot mushrooms with truffle cheese and one with cherry bomb peppers and sweet fennel sausage.
What I loved: While the hit among those from Los Angeles was the truffle cheese, to which I am most often partial. I have to admit that this time, I truly enjoyed the cherry bomb peppers! The sweet fennel sausage wasn’t bad either (though I did remove the two pieces and ate them separately, just to taste).
Why I loved it: I really liked the more traditional red sauce and cheese today, over the fancy mushrooms and truffle cheese which I would typically favor in such establishments. Something about the fennel and the tomato sauce really won me over. (I also love that they give you a free dessert on your birthday! No need – at this point – to enter any mailing lists or be bombarded by Serious Pie spam. Just go in on your birthday and get your free dessert!)
Cost: mid- to high for personal pizza pies ($14-$16 per pie)