Located at a quiet street on R.K. Salai, The Pizzaaz radiates a sense of inimitability from the location itself. Neatly organised tables and chairs, against a background of pure white with a strip of graffiti running down the walls — the once-colonial house is now a place for fresh and tasty pizzas. R. Ravi, the owner, who converted a house into a restaurant, says with a smile, “I wish to inculcate the homely feel in this place so that everyone can enjoy food, the same way they do at their homes.”
Ravi, who also runs the Chariot Beach Resort, Mahabalipuram, started The Pizzaaz with his long-time friend and marketing advisor Chemmal Kumar three years ago for delivery, but only recently opened it up for dining. “What makes our place special is the wood fire. Our pizzas are baked in an oven which is heated by logs of wood,” says Ravi, and adds that he wants to give customers the original taste of pizza.
They use fresh vegetables, no preservatives and the wood fire gives a distinct aroma and taste that is bound to linger in the mouth long after it has been consumed. “Unlike the normal pizza, a soft drink is not needed to wash our pizza down,” claims Ravi. Every day, their 10-man staff begins preparing for the day’s pizzas at 9.30 a.m. They have a calculated amount of pizzas per day, and ensure that nothing is wasted, nor is anything carried forwarded to the next day.
The waiter serves a welcome drink that looks like a green apple mojito. I have a sip and realise that it tastes different. I’m told it’s amla-based. Cold and topped with a layer of finely-chopped mint, the drink is refreshing and is sweetened with honey and not sugar. The amla cooler is followed by garlic bread, which Ravi says is a house favourite. In addition to the garlic bread, they also have a wide range of sandwiches, pasta and desserts.
Moving on to the main course, a thin-crust, wonderful-smelling Caprese pizza, topped with mozzarella and basil is placed in front of me. A highlight of the dining experience is that there is an option for customisation as well.
And what are the plans for the future? “We believe in a mono-driven system of administration for the quality of our products. We might have franchises later, but as of now we are happy here, and are working hard to make this place much better,” Ravi says, as I polish off a bowl of creamy chocolate mousse and ice-cream. The Pizzaaz introduces a new recipe every month, and till the New Year, they offer ‘holiday dining’.
The Pizzaaz is located at 5th Street, Dr. RK Salai, Mylapore. A meal for two is priced at Rs. 800.
