Restaurant Review: Pizza ranks excessive among the many hottest consolation meals. The mushy chewiness of the bottom, the tanginess of the sauce, the unbeatable satisfaction of stringy cheese… even earlier than toppings come into play, pizza looks like it could make us neglect our worries with its yumminess. Restaurants all over the world are innovating to present their very own twist to this Italian delight. Indian institutions usually are not shying away from the pattern. Rather, they’re whole-heartedly embracing the chance to serve up a unique form of deal with to its pizza-loving patrons. We just lately tasted such an providing in Mumbai and we have been left craving extra.

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Level 1 Pizza is a devoted area above Joshi House in Bandra specialising in a novel pizza-and-wine expertise. While Joshi House (backed by restaurateur Suren Joshi) gives Indian and Italian delicacies, Level 1 has a separate meals menu. It options 12 gourmand pizzas with a sourdough base (equal choices for vegetarians and non-vegetarians). These are handcrafted and baked within the wood-fired oven seen as you make your method to the primary storey. What elevates the expertise is the possibility to pair your pizzas with some unimaginable wines from across the globe. Level 1 has the identical in depth wine checklist as Joshi House and you have to take full benefit of it.

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During our meal, we additionally tasted their Sangrias, which have been mild and refreshing accompaniments to all our pizza decisions. There are some fascinating wine-based cocktails on the menu too. We recommend asking for the workers’s skilled suggestions relying on the pizza you are having. We tried and cherished the Cilantro Martini (we have been pushed by curiosity) – though it did not pair effectively with our chosen toppings. Wondering which pizzas we advocate right here? Find out under.

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We determined to start with a basic – and a private favorite – Margherita. Here, there may be no unique trappings or toppings to cover behind. Our pizza arrived with massive basil leaves and a thick crust we could not wait to dig into. It didn’t look completely picture-perfect, however that is what made us extra curious. The aroma instructed us that this was one thing that required larger concerns. We separated our particular person slices and took a chew. Our verdict? At Level 1 pizza, pomodoro sauce, basil and mozzarella spell magic. Their Margherita is well top-of-the-line we have had in latest instances. The sauce was tangy, however not sharply bitter or candy. It allowed the flavours of the basil and mozzarella to shine by in concord.

Next on our radar was a non-vegetarian delicacy: Spicy Chicken Diavola. Tender items of grilled hen, crimson peppers and truffle picante salsa graced this delight. The warmth was balanced with stringy mozzarella. We loved the peppery style and the beneficiant quantity of hen (which by no means got here throughout as overloaded both). The delicate hints of truffle elevated the dish from grilled hen pizza to a tasty gourmand deal with.

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Pineapple on pizza has its supporters and detractors. If you are within the former camp, you do not need to miss out on Level 1’s BBQ Chicken & Pineapple Pizza. The juiciness and smokiness of the charred pineapple have been an immediate hit. The jalapeno and mango habanero mayo did job of balancing the sweetness of the fruit in addition to the BBQ sauce.

The toppings have been extremely well-balanced, however it was the sourdough base that made this meal stand out. Coming from a household of bread lovers, I perceive effectively the straightforward pleasure of chewing on well-made bread. Behind this facade, after all, lies arduous work and years of expertise. The delicious sourdough pizza base at Level 1 is actually a testomony to Chef Richard D’Souza’s culinary skills. We cannot wait to return and savour it once more.

Where: 602, Ambedkar Road, Pali Naka, Pali Hill, Bandra West, Mumbai