Monthly Feature

Great Neapolitan –A spokesperson with Forno Piombo (FornoPiombo.com), a leading manufacturer of pizza ovens says, “A true Italian/Neapolitan pizza is characterized by its simplicity, high-quality ingredients, thin crust with a slightly chewy texture, and the use of a wood-fired brick oven for baking. 

Personally, whether I’m having pizza or virtually any of my authentic Italian favorites, I often opt for Candela’s Pizzeria & Ristorante Italiano at 14235 Midlothian Turnpike (CandelasPizza.net). If simplicity is what you seek in a great pizza, then order the Margherita Pizza, featuring fresh basil, tomato, and garlic. I had always wondered why they call it a Margherita since it doesn’t contain a drop of tequila. However, I’ve recently learned that the Neapolitan pizza was created for King Umberto I and Queen Margherita when they visited Naples in the 1880s. No need to go to Naples (or Sicily for that matter) when we have Candela’s. They also offer an excellent Sicilian pizza square, too. 

Great Family-Run Italian/Pizza Restaurant – How can you talk about Italian food in Midlothian and not mention La Cucina in the Shoppes at Bellgrade (11440 W. Huguenot Road; LaCucinaVA.com)? Nevis N. sums it up well, “I like everything about La Cucina. The service is great, the food is delicious, and Vito, the owner and chef is a really nice guy.” He’s right. Vito Bellantuono is a great guy who has taken his home-style cooking to a new level offering great Italian fare, including his New York Style Pizza with Tomato Sauce, and Mozzarella Cheese. I didn’t include a ”Great New York Style” category because some New Yorkers insist that there’s no such thing in Virginia. However, great pizza is great pizza and you La Cucina serves great pizza.

Great Toppings – I hear lots of raves for Mellow Mushroom at 1409 Huguenot Rd, Midlothian (MellowMushroom.com). Bobby H. says, “My favorite the last couple of years has been Mellow Mushroom. Their version of a deluxe pizza, with a little bit of everything, is their House Special, a thin crispy crust, stone-baked creation.” Bobby says “A little bit of everything.” Their menu says, “Red sauce, mozzarella, pepperoni, Italian sausage, ground beef, honey ham, applewood-smoked bacon, black olives, sliced mushrooms, Roma tomatoes, green peppers, sweet onions and more mozzarella.” How can you top that? 

Great Pizza Where You Don’t Expect to Find Pizza – Victor G. tells me, “I love O’Toole’s.” Now, as a huge fan of live, local music, Victor frequents the original O’Toole’s Restaurant & Pub at 4800 Forest Hill Avenue. But while the original location is still close for residents of Midlothian, there’s also an O’Toole’s at 13919 Midlothian Turnpike. While, one might not expect great pizza at an Irish pub, but Victor continues, “Their Signature Pizza (a white pizza) and their Deluxe Authentic are both delicious!” The white pizza features garlic, ricotta, provolone, mozzarella, tomato and fresh pesto. I’m guessing by “Deluxe,” Victor is referring to O’Toole’s Supreme Pizza. It sounds supreme - Italian sausage, ground beef, pepperoni, onions, green bell peppers, mushrooms, ham, and olives.”