I’d never really been to Allston, unless you count driving through it to get to Cambridge. I’ve never explored the area and don’t know much about it. But, this past weekend I found myself in a not-so-hidden gem of Allston: Bravo’s Pizzeria. I knew the name from Michelle‘s review and was excited to try the pizza myself!
Mike, the owner, made me feel very welcome. We chatted while we ordered and he insisted I try a Sicilian slice and a regular slice, even though I only wanted one slice of pizza. He explained that the difference is deeper than just the shape of the pizza. He uses two different sauces for each. I was intrigued so I agreed to try both. He really had to convince me to eat more pizza. I told Mike about this blog and gave him one of my new business cards (exciting personal moment!). After he knew I was going to review the pizza, he turned his already gracious hospitality up a notch.
He carried all of the pizza to our table and brought us drinks.
Sicilian slices
regular slices
Mike stood by to watch my first bite. He predictably yelled at me as I blotted the oil off my pizza with a napkin. Nooo what are you doing? Sorry I have to! He explained that the oil is a sign of better quality cheese. He uses excellent quality mozzarella on all his pizzas. You’ll notice some orange coloring on top of the slices. This top grade mozzarella changes color while baking. Other pizzerias add orange cheddar into their lower quality mozzarella blends to portray the image of the better cheese. So rest assured that oily pizza is a good thing! But, I still blotted some of it away. I tried each type to compare and could taste the difference in the sauces. Both pizzas were really delicious. I liked the Sicilian better because it had a tasty crust to cheese ratio. I think the sauce was a little zestier too, and sweeter on the triangle slices.
Mike brought over his famous meatball for me to try and I think I broke his heart a little when I told him I’m a vegetarian. It’s tofu! Eat it! he coaxed. My lucky friend gobbled up the meatball and Mike returned with a slice of veggie pizza for me.
Topped with tomatoes, onions, and peppers, this slice was delicious! I might like this better than the Sicilian slice of cheese, or it might be a tie. I might need to go back and try them both again to decide!
Trying Bravo pizza was certainly a treat for me. If you live in Allston or ever find yourself passing through, visit Mike and his pizza! And here’s a fun fact: Mike’s brother in-law owns Stone Hearth Pizza! I’ve love to go to one of their family parties!
What’s your favorite local pizza?
5 Comments
Oh, how I remember Bravo from my Allston days (way to long ago). Inbound Pizza around the corner is also hard to beat for a late night bite.
I used to live near there! Their pizza really is amazing.
Those onions looks delicious.
I’ve never been… but it sounds really good… and I do not blot the oil off my pizza… it’s pizza… it’s already greasy, why not keep all of it?!
I love that his brother-in-law owns SHP – one of my favorite pizza places!