By Steve Cook :
When the moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie – that’s amore. Dean Martin was likely singing about romantic love. But, to tell the truth, sometimes nothing says loving like something from the oven especially when that something is a pizza pie.
If you want to start a heated discussion, just ask a bunch of your friends who they think has the best pizza in town. That’s way too subjective and controversial a question. Let’s simply ask this question: “Where can you get a great pizza in Midlothian?” Keep in mind that we’re not proclaiming any of these to be the best. That’s such a matter of opinion. But here are some great ones.
Great Family-Run Italian/Pizza Restaurant – How can you talk about Italian food in Midlothian and not mention La Cucina in the Shoppes at Bellgrade (11440 W. Huguenot Road; LaCucinaVA.com)? Nevis N. sums it up well, “I like everything about La Cucina. The service is great, the food is delicious, and Vito, the owner and chef is a really nice guy.” He’s right. Vito Bellantuono is a great guy who has taken his home-style cooking to a new level offering great Italian fare, including his New York Style Pizza with Tomato Sauce, and Mozzarella Cheese. I didn’t include a ”Great New York Style” category because some New Yorkers insist that there’s no such thing in Virginia. However, great pizza is great pizza and you La Cucina serves great pizza.
Great Toppings – I hear lots of raves for Mellow Mushroom at 1409 Huguenot Rd, Midlothian (MellowMushroom.com). Bobby H. says, “My favorite the last couple of years has been Mellow Mushroom. Their version of a deluxe pizza, with a little bit of everything, is their House Special, a thin crispy crust, stone-baked creation.” Bobby says “A little bit of everything.” Their menu says, “Red sauce, mozzarella, pepperoni, Italian sausage, ground beef, honey ham, applewood-smoked bacon, black olives, sliced mushrooms, Roma tomatoes, green peppers, sweet onions and more mozzarella.” How can you top that?
Great Pizza Where You Don’t Expect to Find Pizza – Victor G. tells me, “I love O’Toole’s.” Now, as a huge fan of live, local music, Victor frequents the original O’Toole’s Restaurant & Pub at 4800 Forest Hill Avenue. But while the original location is still close for residents of Midlothian, there’s also an O’Toole’s at 13919 Midlothian Turnpike. While, one might not expect great pizza at an Irish pub, but Victor continues, “Their Signature Pizza (a white pizza) and their Deluxe Authentic are both delicious!” The white pizza features garlic, ricotta, provolone, mozzarella, tomato and fresh pesto. I’m guessing by “Deluxe,” Victor is referring to O’Toole’s Supreme Pizza. It sounds supreme – Italian sausage, ground beef, pepperoni, onions, green bell peppers, mushrooms, ham, and olives.”
5/2024