I don't really like pizza; PIC loves pizza. Occasionally, I will acquiesce to eating Zachary's... but when I can help it I don't eat pizza.
Lanesplitter changed all that. I love this pizza. And I don't really know why, exactly.
The crusts are super thin and a wonderful blend of crisp and chewy, and they don't go overboard on the cheese. So there's two reasons. Good microbrews on tap are another reason to enjoy eating there, as are the art installations and laid-back vibe. Oh, and fresh basil is always nice to find.
What we've ordered (we'll combine both trips): Thin and thick crusts, olive and mushroom (a fave), herbivore, garbage - between the 2 of us, much pizza has been consumed here.
Service: friendly, sometimes. forgetful, sometimes. vaguely disinterested, hurried and occasionally surly when doing takeout. Overall we've had positive experiences with service here when sitting.
Atmo: Groovy loft-like warehouse meets bike garage
Crowd: Hipster 'hood dwellers, bike messengers, the occasional family
Spent: we generally spend around $25 what with the beers and all
Overall rating: 4.5 sporks
This is great pizza if you obey some simple tips:
1) Eat in and do a 7/10 split if you'd like some beer. It's cheaper and 2 pieces of pizza are filling enough for most people - they're big, if thin.
2) Don't get extra sauce. It makes the crust a bit soggy.
3) Takeout can take forever, and whoever answers the phone needs some Valium. If you want takeout in a hurry from someone who actually wants to take your order, you might want to call elsewhere.
4) Be wary of ordering too many extra veggies for the same reason as #2, and because they really add up in price.
5) Bring your vegan friends and be amazed as they can actually eat "Notta Ricotta" and get something besides bread with tomato sauce at a pizza joint.
6) Be prepared to wait on a weekend night at dinner time.
7) Don't order the thick crust. If you want thick crust, go to Zachary's.
8) Don't wear a tuxedo. Do wear an ironic and authentic vintage tuxedo t-shirt.
In short: Good pizza is indeed had to find, and Lanesplitter definitely fits the bill.
Monday, May 26, 2008
Lanesplitter, 4799 Telegraph Ave.
Friday, March 28, 2008
Amazonas Pizza - 2427 Telegraph - 10.11.07
OK, we've been awful about posting. I'm going to make a Spring resolution to catch up with my trusty notebook so we can actually get up-to-date.
Amazonas Pizza:
The decor is lacking here. I'd recommend takeout, unless fluorescent lights and linoleum tables staffed with possibly homeless people is your thing.
We ordered our pizza and were told that it'd be a 20 minute wait. This was a bummer until we realized that the Adult Superstore is across the street!
Not being one for porn (truly), I was torn: spend 20 minutes waiting for pizza watching the random passersby, or browse porn titles? Once the second dirty homeless-looking guy came in and asked us if we were exchange students, I decided that porn was looking better.
Favorite titles: "Depraved & Shaved" was the runner-up. "My Hairy Creampie 3," though, was the hands-down winner. I also appreciated the many "special interest" sections, from Indian to MILF. These people really want to please the niche clientele.
Oh, and I learned a new word: jerkoff box. Sweet. (I guess they have these in the back.)
Anyway, the pizza was your average very cheesy, not-super-thin-but-not-thick-either-crusted type that you might find at Round Table. It wasn't great, it wasn't awful. It was a little too cheesy for me, but my PIC (Partner in Chow) liked it just fine.
What we ordered: Vegetarian pizza
Service: friendly, not the quickest (since they have to make the pizza)
Atmo: fluorescent linoleum
Crowd: I'm not sure if the homeless-looking guys counted as customers, but they were in there.
Spent: $20.24
Food rating: 3 sporks
Atmo rating: 1.5 sporks
Overall rating: 2.5 sporks
Overall, with Lanesplitter down the street we give Amazonas a 3 for the food and a 2 for the atmo.
