
I have a lot of love for Hot Italian for a variety of reasons that don’t immediately make sense. The first couple of times I went there I was completely torn because I was so into their food and atmosphere, but not so much into their service. Those of you who have gone out to eat with me know how I feel about service – I’m very picky about it and will usually give restaurants (or any business, really) with sub par quality a second chance if their service is stellar. The exact opposite is true if the service sucks and I do let staff know either way if the experience is on either extreme. The thing about Hot Italian’s service is that it isn’t awful, it’s just…. inconsistent. My general impression the few times I’ve gone is that they’re a little unorganized and a tad rushed. The staff is really quite friendly, so that’s never been a problem; it just seems like they could do a better job of tightening things up logistically.
This time around we decided to get a few different flavors so that everyone could try a piece of each. Steve gave the Magini a try, which is topped with smoked salmon, mozzarella, mascarpone and fresh dill. I’d never considering ordering it before but after trying it I definitely will; the flavors were fresh and light, complemented beautifully by the signature crust. Alejandro and Steve are also huge fans of the Bellucci, which features slightly more traditional pizza toppings like fresh tomato sauce, mozzarella, spicy sausage and ricotta cheese, and this pie definitely didn’t disappoint. Tim definitely had the most interesting pizza of the afternoon. The Stella comes with prosciutto parma, crescenza cheese and a wonderful mushroom medley, but it also comes with the option to order it with egg.
But Hot Italian isn’t all about pizza. As I mentioned earlier, they do offer some great salads, and Kari ordered the one I had the first time I visited, which was the Sozzani. A generous amount of baby spinach is topped with dried cranberries, walnuts, pears and gorgonzola dolce cheese, making this a great accompaniment to a pizza or a nice light entrée salad for lunch. They have a nice wine selection at their bar and serve some wonderful Prosseco cocktails, the Peach Bellini being an absolute favorite of mine. I think the use of peach nectar as opposed to some random concentrate makes all the difference in this one. My only complaint about the cocktails is that they’re not very consistent in size or amount filled. When I had these for my birthday I ended up with about 3 different sized glasses, all filled with different amounts of bellini, all in the same night! I am still not sure what size they’re supposed to be, but they sure are tasty.
So what does all of this cost, Poor Girl? Well, I won’t lie and tell you it’s the best in bargain eating, but the value makes up for what you pay. Most pizzas are in the $12-14 range and are big enough to be shared, but light enough to be enjoyed by one person with a healthy appetite. This is one of those cases where you’re also paying for the general atmosphere and vibe. From the eclectic mix of diners to the simple, modern decor peppered with all those cool motorcycle-inspired details, this is not your typical eatery and that’s a good thing. I’d say Hot Italian is a good place to come with a bigger group so that you can try a couple different kinds and keep your costs down. That is, if you can resist taking home that Vespa that’s in the window…. ;)
Are there Hot Italian men there too?? I'll book the next flight if they do!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteBeen meaning to go here, as it is only a few blocks from me....Sounds like it's worth the walk. Thanks for the review and all the tasty things you share with us.
ReplyDeleteDana Taylor
Sounds great to me . . . and what a wonderful write-up.
ReplyDeleteI met my sibilings there for a three hour lunch. We had a great time catching up, they were great about not rushing us. The food was great. We eached tried something different and sampled each others. I had the pizza with the egg! Some of the best pizza I've had since I moved out here from NY! The service was great and very freindly--give them a chance you won't be disappointed.
ReplyDeleteI drive past that place at least twice a week for work - I had NO idea they have food there too! I'll have to stop in some time :)
ReplyDeleteYum. I love pizza, but this a little to far from me. LOL.
ReplyDeleteNice meeting you at Foodbuzz Kimberly. Please let me know when you visit San Jose next time. Perhaps we can meet up for a meal!
ReplyDeleteWowowowwow I want the pear pizza! And the pumpkin pizza! And the smoked salmon pizza! And... um, the entire menu.
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