After digging up more information online, I found out that they do have a legit brick oven. It’s time for a little excursion. Those who know me well are aware that I’m obsessed with pizza. I have a particular liking for Neapolitan style pies.
While numerous places in the Philippines have started to offer what they call authentic Italian pizzas, one must remember that Italian cuisine is very regional. An authentic pizza in Rome is entirely different from the pizza you will find in Naples.
While I love all variations of pizza, the classic Margherita from Naples is what I believe to be pizza’s purest form. Damn, that sounded almost philosophical! Enough with the chatter. Let’s go back to Pizzeria Amore.
The tiny pizza joint is among one of many food establishments that line the area leading up to the cinema area of UP Town Center in Katipunan Ave., Quezon City. The place only has about five round tables and a small bar/reading nook. Since it caters to the cinema crowd, the limited dining space can be forgiven.
The pies are also served in pizza boxes for easy portability. They give out disposable plastic gloves so you don’t mess up your hands. after all, pizza should really be eaten with your hands.
The first thing that catches the eye when you walk into the establishment is the imposing red-orange dome of the brick oven. There’s also stacks of wood lining the back wall. The size of the oven belies the modest size of the rest of the place. This one is comparable to ones I have seen in restaurants that cater to 200 guests in one sitting.
Just like the best pizzerias in Naples, the menu is limited. There are only a handful of pizza flavors but they do not fail to give an ample variety. For purists like me, they offer the classic Margherita pie. There’s also a 3-cheese option for those who want to keep it even more simple.
Those who want more toppings on their pizza also have the option to order other varieties like the Mediterranean Beef or their bestseller with Shrimp and Scallions. the full list of pizzas could be seen in the photo below.
The dough is hand-tossed fresh upon every order. this means that there’s about a 10-minute wait. If you’re about to catch a movie, make sure you leave enough time for the wait.
I ordered the Margherita pie for Php 285. That is about half the price for the same pizza from fancier places in the city which also offer brick-oven pizzas. The pizza here is small, only about 10-11 inches in diameter.
That size is similar to the one in Salvatore Cuomo, which still holds the top spot for having the most authentic Neapolitan pizza in town. However, like I mentioned earlier, the price is half what your would pay in Cuomo.
Someone with a healthy appetite can finish the pizza off as a main meal. Two people can share it for a filling snack. The flavors are absolutely spot on. Their pizza sauce is well-seasoned and flavorful. This is important if you’re having the humble Margherita. The dough is sufficiently thin yet substantial enough to be filling.
As I mentioned earlier, the pizzas have the characteristic bubbles and charring. However, there’s a little bit of a crunch. That’s considered a good thing in most cases but I would have to point out that Neapolitan pies are doughy and chewy, not crisp. Nevertheless, this one is a lot less crispy than Motorino. If you’re not a wannabe purist like me, then this should not be an issue an in fact, would probably be a great thing.
As an added bonus, the place is tastefully decorated with little framed photos from Italy. There are also stacks of books that are displayed on small shelves. I took the opportunity to read the chapter on Naples from the wildly popular “Eat, Pray, Love.”
For a no-frills place, that’s a nice touch. I was lucky enough to enjoy the place during a quiet time since the cinemas have not started screening yet. I imagine it will be busy in between movie screenings.
I ordered an Italian sausage pie for takeaway. My family (all very critical when it comes to pizza) all enjoyed it as well. Overall, it was a fantastic experience. The brick oven really does wonders. the flavors also hit the spot. This is a great way to enjoy wood-fired pizzas without having to feel guilty for over-spending. Unfortunately, there’s nothing I can do about your guilt due to over-eating.
Pizzeria Amore is located at the Cinema Level of UP Town Center, Katipunan Ave., Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines.
Read about “The Best Pizza in the World” from my experience in Naples.
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