Via Tribunali

06-Jul-2007

In keeping with my new goal to update you on some of my tried and true places around town, today we revisit Via Tribunali. You may (or may not) remember that the first time I visited I had a rather hair-raising experience, so to speak! Well, in the many subsequent times I’ve visited the only excitement has been related to the great food.

Last week M and I were back at the bar counter, talking with two of our favorite guys Kevin and Randy, while they poured us wine and we perused the menu. Sitting at the counter provides a birds-eye view of the bar activities but more importantly you can also take a peak at the salad and charcuterie station, as well as seeing exactly what it going into and being pulled out of the tile-faced wood burning oven, which is the heart of this operation.

Via Tribunali is a true Neapolitan-style pizzeria, and is officially reviewed and designated as such. One key to keeping that designation is the oven. In Via Tribunali’s case it is used for all their hot food not just the pizzas. For instance, the mushrooms used on our pizza were first roasted in the oven. But I get ahead of myself…..

After sipping our first glass of wine (mine the Poggio alle Sughere Morellino di Scansano, a Sangiovese blend from Tuscany; and M’s a glass of Prosecco…) we started with Insalata della Casa – a lovely salad lightly dressed that combines fresh greens, tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, olives and cotto. Although it could really be a meal in itself splitting it is the perfect way to start a meal.

After the salad we ordered our pizza. I am happy to report that Via Trib has seen the error of their ways with mushrooms (when they first opened they used something quite unspeakable and very much in conflict with the rest of their menu) and now oven roast fresh mushrooms for use on their pizzas. To celebrate this change in direction M and I ordered a Prosciutto y Funghi pizza as we are all about fun guys!

And we were not disappointed. The main problem we have now is deciding which of these thin, crisp-crust pizzas, lightly topped with interesting ingredients we want to order on any given night – and that doesn’t even take into account the other options such as the Salumi platter or the calzone, which I have yet to try!

M finished her meal with an Affogato, which while good was a little too fancy-pants for her. She prefers a simpler, more traditional version than Via Trib serves. I settled for a final glass of wine…