Monday, June 29, 2009

Piu Bello Fails to Deliver

A meticulously clean dining space with attentive staff does not a top shelf pizzeria make.

NY Style pizza is not as easy as it looks – requiring (among other things) fresh cheese, bold sausage, and a crust that maintains its pliable, yet sop-free, integrity. Sadly, Piu Bello Pizzeria, located adjacent to the Kroger Fresh Fare in the Peachtree-Piedmont Crossing Shopping Center, fails to deliver.

A selection of inferior toppings from dry olives and peppers (cut entirely too long), processed slivers of taste-free sausage, to a seriously forgettable sauce sans any flavor are begging for red pepper flakes and Parmesan cheese to confirm that you are actually indulging in a meal. A consistent quality mozzarella, like Grande Napoli, must really grip fresh toppings on a pie to avoid “roll-off” should its consumer elect not to fold. But even this can’t save a pizza without proper (hi gluten) dough structure and end crust. If I was a slice of soggy dough that was forced to host this motley crew of unsavories, I’d refuse to hold on too!

So, in closing, despite a convenient Buckhead location, a stellar Pellegrino selection, and numerous opportunities for redemption – unfortunately, this pizzeria doesn’t make the cut.

Piu Bello … you’re 86’d

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

SInce the Pizza Wars are on, what would you recommend to your guests if they wanted pizza in the Buckhead area (since Piu Bello is obviously out of the question)?

Anonymous said...

LMAO! My favorite quote, "If I was a slice of soggy dough that was forced to host this motley crew of unsavories, I’d refuse to hold on too!" Review is SO right-on. Very disappointing establishment.

DK

Anonymous said...

Couldn't agree more! Gave this place a try a couple weeks ago and will not be returning. Spot on review -- from the toppings falling off as soon as you pick up a slice, to the soggy dough ... why is it so hard to find a good slice of pizza in Atlanta?!

Jason G. said...

I will take your word for it. I've never in twenty years had a pleasant experience with any establishment in that center, including the defunct Bridgetown Grille. Buckhead is hurting for a quality pizza joint, that delivers. Again, forget Pizza Fusion, and Varasano's. We live in South Buckhead, and call Mama Niki's on Howell Mill. A very good pizza,not the best in the city, but they deliver, and it works

Anonymous said...

For all you South-Buckheaders out there, Pasta Vino in the Peachtree Battle Shopping Center is fantastic. They dont deliver, but the place itself is very nice (does not feel like its in a strip mall) and they do pick-up orders. Mellow Mushroom is something I go to as well when im more in the mood for some major crust...

Rick Lara said...

Good question-
Unfortunately, Buckhead has a serious shortage of respectable pizza joints. Rather than compromise quality for convenience, I'll persuade a guest to drive a few miles for a good slice. A couple of solid pie options are Fritti (N.Highland Ave), Baraonda (Midtown) and even Blue Moon in Marietta.

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