Pizza is for lovers…

I’ve always been a pizza-lover. I could eat it at least once a week. And the only time I ever choked to the point of needing the Heimlich (because I was eating too much too fast)–was because of pizza. I’m alright with that.

I’ve eaten anywhere I could (or rather, at as many places as Jon will allow considering I want it all the time): from Pizza Hut to Fellini’s to Goodfellas to Antico’s to Mellow Mushroom to 15th Street to Anthony’s (Mm, pizza place found on army bases…has followed me around all my life and I still love it). But the best place I’ve ever had pizza was Fritti. And that’s why I decided to do a quick review.

Good Food: this is an understatement. The food isn’t good. It’s mouthwatering. It’s decadent. It’s very easily phenomenal.

We started our lunch with Fungi Fritti ($8)–crimini and portabello mushrooms in rice flour batter with white truffle oil and Calamari Fritti ($9)–fried fresh squid with fresh lemon. I’ve always been a fan of calamari but this was definitely the best I’ve had. The fresh lemon made every piece pop in my mouth and I’m having withdrawals just writing about it.

 

We also both had a Madman ($10)–Watkins bourbon, sweet vermouth, blood orange bitters, and Fee Brothers orange bitters. I’m not sure how much of each thing was in it, but the waiter (who was excellent) told me there was very little that wasn’t liquor. He was perfectly right. I got about half way through the glass when I started fanning myself and having to focus to keep from slipping down my chair. I’m not much of a drinker. I prefer something sweet to something strong, but the Madman did his job.

Onto the main course: Jon had the Sorrentina ($15)–a light, fresh pizza of San Marzano tomato, bufala, smoked mozzarella, cherry tomatoes, basil and Parmigiano Reggiano. I had the Mailona ($13.5)–a blend of salame, cotto ham, sausage, pancetta and black olives. (Yes, I am very much so a meat-eater) . Everything that was a vegetable tasted as if it had been picked just before it was put on the pizza. The meat was perfectly cooked. The crust (though it had that certain wood burning taste that almost tastes burnt) had a delicious chew.

JON’S.*

Mine.

Good Service: our waiter was Grant. He was informed. He was attentive. He was quick and professional. And in the end, he was personable. He provided an all around great experience.

Good Price: some may find Fritti’s prices to be a bit high. But food, good food, is one of the few things I’m willing to spend a considerable amount of money on. I think Fritti is worth every cent.

The Other: I know a good restaurant experience isn’t simply contingent on the food, the service and the price. The location, the atmosphere and the design also play a big part in whether or not you enjoy yourself. In this case, Fritti had little to complain about. It was located in the Highlands, on N. Highland and parking wasn’t a problem since there was a lot across the street. It wasn’t busy, so we didn’t have any issues but I could see parking being a problem (as it often is in Atlanta) if there was a slight bit more bustle. In fact, it started to become a bit crowded as we were leaving. At the exit, I was a little worried about getting trapped by the constant valeting.

But the atmosphere was friendly. All of the employees were dressed casually, but professionally. It was an interesting mix of fine-dinning and down-home warmth.

The building is neat with a shiny, copper wall as a focal point near the bar. There’s an outside patio, which we were seated in, enclosed with make-shift garage doors and plexi-glass–totally awesome. There were heaters above us to keep us warm and I was almost too comfortable (remember the sliding in the chair? Not just from the drink).

It was an experience–a great one.

I rated it with Jon. We give it an A. 90 to be exact.

Food: 20/25

Service: 20/25

Price: 20/25

Other: 15/25

*Did you get that? How I yelled his name? It was pretty funny in my head.

**I learned this blogging add-in from reading this great blog. But I always learn neat things from her.