A cross section of Munich's pizzerias
BEI MARIO
Adalbertstr. 15
Tel. 280 04 60
Daily 11:30 am–00:30 am
This Italian ristorante in the heart of Schwabing is clearly proud of its reputation in the Munich gastronomic scene. Newspaper clippings pasted on the front window show Mario, the proud owner, celebrating his restaurant’s twentieth birthday a few years ago and hosting such illustrious guests as star-tenor Placido Domingo and former Bavarian Prime Minister Franz Joseph Strauss. Among the many reasons for celebrities stopping by this pizzeria is the attractive wood-burning oven at the entrance, which enables Mario’s guests to watch the pizzas being baked. Though the restaurant serves a wide variety of excellent Italian food—pasta (DM 13.50–DM 17), insalate (up to DM 19.50), dolci (DM 8)—its pizzas are Mario’s claim to fame. Whether you prefer the plain cheese pizza “margherita” (DM 16.50) or “gourmet” toppings (up to DM 25), Mario will never disappoint. You may wince at the high prices, but Mario’s pizzas are huge and his chefs have a heavy hand with the toppings—unlike other pizzas found in the Bavarian capital. Small budgets are also catered to: on weekdays the ristorante serves a lunch menu featuring a pizza of the day for DM 14–16. Waiters are fast, despite the high-brow airs they put on, knowing that they serve some of the best, indeed perhaps THE best, pizza in town.
FOOD 10, SERVICE 8, ATMOSPHERE 6
RISTORANTE ITALY
Leopoldstrasse 108
Tel. (089) 34 64 03
Just north of Münchner Freiheit, tall, lush arborvitaes encircle the vast garden area of Italy restaurant. Seated beneath luminous white umbrellas—which serve to filter traffic noise as well as sun—diners are made to feel welcome to linger and savor, Italian style. With two daily pizza specials (DM 17–18), in addition to 15 regular menu items (DM 10.50–17), choosing a topping combo is a challenge. The vegetarian pizza (DM 14.50), generously covered by spinach and artichoke hearts atop a thin crust, is set aflame by whole—truly spicy—chili peppers. Other pizzas can be custom designed to taste, all of which will have a traditionally thin dough base: vegetables—including rich wild mushrooms or pungent Rucola—Parma ham, salami or a handful of seafood varieties, including muscles and sardines. The folded and stuffed Calzone (DM 13.50) is a heartier alternative to the open-faced pie. Your pizza of choice may be complemented by a glass of dry house Italian red wine (DM 6.80). Desserts include the obligatory Tiramisú (DM 7) or Crème Carmella (DM 6). Italy is not strictly a pizzeria and does offer traditional dishes. The entire menu is available “to go,” in fact, take out is encouraged in the form of a whopping 25% discount. .
FOOD 8, SERVICE 6, ATMOSPHERE 6
JOEY'S PIZZA SERVICE
Schleissheimer Strasse 44
Tel. (089) 520 46 66
Daily 11:30 am–12 pm
www.joeys.de
Munich printers must be making a fortune on fly-by-night pizza delivery services. With so many “money laundering” restaurants and the new courier trend—drivers cut a deal with several take-out eateries, print generic menus and deliver from the same restaurants for which you already have the name-brand menu—in the city, it is impossible to know who has prepared your pie. Joey’s is not only a bona fide pizza chain—with 90 restaurants in Germany and Austria—but also a delight to all expats who wish to have a more “American” choice of toppings. Pitted (!) black olives, jalapeno peppers, spicy pepperoni sausage—this, regular salami and ground meat toppings are now offered beef-free, made from turkey or pork—and crispy bacon are among a wide variety of ingredients served atop hand-thrown dough with tangy tomato sauce. Striving not to become run-of-the-mill, Joey’s creates monthly specials menus with such themes as “Greek Weeks” and “Southern States” and serves salads, subs, chicken wings, pasta, gratins and desserts. Service here is fast, friendly and professional. Pizza prices range from DM 5.90 for small (20 cm) to DM 42.40 for a jumbo (50 cm) pie. Though it must be said that home delivery pizza will never be in the same category as those of the world’s greatest ristorantes, Joey’s is heads above its less enthusiastic Munich competitors.
FOOD 7, SERVICE 10, ATMOSPHERE N/A
