- December 21, 2024
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My favorite part of the week hits exactly at 5:01 p.m. on Friday. At that magical moment, I know the dreaded “What’s for dinner?” dilemma will dissolve into deliciousness. Tonight, there will be no nervously navigating the minefield of dining decisions — conversations that often feel like reenactments of past presidential debates.
Instead, my husband and I embrace our cheesy tradition: Friday night pizza! Just like my dad did with us, we make our way to (or order takeout from) a local pizzeria to kick off the weekend.
In doing so, we bypass the potential for kitchen chaos. There will be no arguing about reheated leftovers, scrolling through online menus of the hundreds of cuisines offered in our community and no leaning toward just pouring another Jack Daniel's on the rocks with a side of pretzels.
With a Friday night pie in hand, we know exactly what’s on the menu. Trust me, there’s no better plan than that.
Here are my favorite slices of heaven in Sarasota and Manatee counties, just in time for National Pizza Month.
2053 Reynolds St., Sarasota; 941-487-8677; CapoPazzo.com
Pizza My Heart: Oh, Sicilian pizza, you devilishly delicious square slice of fluffy perfection! Capo's Sicilian MVP ($28) will make you question why it's taken you so long to snag a slice (or three) of this sensational pie. It's made with marinara, pesto (two sauces for you, my saucy foodies), fresh mozzarella and pecorino Romana cheese.
In Crust We Trust: The older I get, the more I realize I need to choose when I can. When I can't have red sauce, Capo has my best interest at heart with their wide selection of white pizzas. If you get there before 3 p.m., you can get a slice rather than having to order a whole pie. Think outside the box and get the Frank white ($17 and up) with ricotta, mozzarella, caramelized onion and a sesame seed crust.
2157 Siesta Drive; 941-366-5570; 941-960-1765; BakerWife.com
Pizza My Heart: The last establishment we went to as a family of five was Baker & Wife. It''s a memory I will cherish forever. My dad loved all pizza, but but a pie fresh out of a wood oven had a special place in his heart —and his stomach. He would salivate over the Clemenza ($18) with spicy Calabrese salami, sweet Italian sausage, garlic confit, Calabrian chili, goat cheese, maple syrup (stay with me here) and arugula.
In Crust We Trust: The Fugetaboutit ($20), made with meatball, sweet Italian sausage and ricotta, is the right way to end your workweek. Order the cucumber and basil martini while you wait or while you eat. The epic cocktail with vodka, fresh cucumber, lemon and lime juice with basil will make any bad week better and any good week great.
1703 Main St., Sarasota, 941-366-5570; 215 Avenida Madera, Siesta Key, 941-800-5570; PanificioUSA.com
Pizza My Heart: My dad was born and bred in Chicago but raised his family in Connecticut. Both these regions are rival pie makers. My dad loved Connecticut-style pizza best (don't tell our Midwestern family), and Il Panificio's Margherita ($22) landed the superlative "best pie in town." It's made with mouth-watering mozzarella, red sauce, fresh tomatoes and basil leaves.
In Crust We Trust: My Connecticut roots would unplant themselves if I didn't mention the clam pizza ($28) with mozzarella, fresh basil, buttery clams and red sauce.
4120 Lakewood Ranch Blvd., Lakewood Ranch; 941-206-5139; Atria.cafe
Pizza My Heart: On Tuesday through Saturday from 5-8 p.m., you and yours can grab a personal-sized savory sourdough pizza at this Ranch-based bakery/restaurant. My dear friend Melanie and her boyfriend like "mini peps that curl." I have found just the place for you two. On the menu, the mini curled pepperoni ($17) is described as "Old World pepperoni, mozzarella and house tomato sauce."
In Crust We Trust: There are rotating feature pies (like the broccoli rabe, fennel sausage, black pepper and cured egg yolk one I scarfed up a few days ago) that you must try. But the Gucci ($19) is gooooooood: prosciutto, heirloom tomatoes (hold those for me, please), arugula, fresh mozzarella and more of that Gucci house tomato sauce. If you're a sourdough fan, grab a round loaf on the way out.
5170 Palmer Plaza Blvd., Sarasota, 941-217-6533; 1837 Hillview St., Sarasota, 941-316-9222; 8193 Tourist Center Drive, Bradenton, 941-358-5850; 4944 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, 941-922-1190; food truck at Cock & Bull at 975 Cattlemen Road, Sarasota; OriginPizzaCafe.com
Pizza My Heart: To all my gluten-free foodies, look no further for the best GF pizza in town. You can order any pie on the menu with a cauliflower crust or gluten-free for $5. If you love dollops of rich ricotta, the Siesta sands ($17 and up) white pizza is calling your name: olive oil garlic base, spinach, ricotta, broccoli, choice of prosciutto or turkey sausage.
In Crust We Trust: This shoutout is for my brother-in-law, who begs me weekly to find a way to ship him this pie to Columbus, Ohio. The 1837 Chicken ($18 and up) comes with either sweet-with-heat BBQ or the house-made trifecta sauce base and drizzle (Caution: Be able to handle the heat!), chicken and cheese.
