Encyclopizza!

First of all you're probably thinking - encyclopizza! What an aws name! Why didn't Duff think of that? DITTO that, dude, ditto that.

Anyway, Encyclopizza is apparently a "massive online pizza reference resource that combines pizza dough and sauce recipes, scientific findings, and pizza industry research with extensive hands-on pizzeria business experience … to provide proven practical answers for pizza business owners, managers, chefs, buyers, R&D staff, suppliers and franchisees." WOAH!

Granted, its a pretty sweet website, but I have two reservations:

1. The author thought of the name encyclopizza before me (Hong Kong Encyclopizza - imagine it!), which sort of blows for me and my loyal readers; and
2. The author also has a website called Overeat No More (and a book by the same name).

If you were really this into pizza, wouldn't you constantly want to overeat it? I do. So I'm a little concerned about whether or not he's personally verified all of this pizza info (like I do for all the information on my website). I'm just saying...

Actually, the author is a self-described "professional eclectic author...He writes and publishes on the subjects of self-development, weight-control, business success dynamics, pizza business marketing, and fishing boat design." Sounds like a fun job.

I would provide links to the website here, but since then this dude would probably see my numerous readers linking to his site from this one and yell at me, you'll have to close out this window and google it yourself if you want to have a read.

All in all, I think this website is worth a visit for any pizza fan, especially if you are considering opening your own franchise or if you are dying to find a sweet'n'sassy pizza sauce recipe. I'm just wondering if you can be an expert on pizza and weight-control at the same time. That's all.

Cafe O

Cafe O isn't really anything special for a pizza date night - its more like a cafe than anything else.  This isn't really your typical "pie" either (can you call a square pizza a pie?)...first of all its square, and the toppings are a little different that your typical Dominos (think pumpkin, pesto, smoked salmon, salami and my favorite - the red onion jam), although they have some typical faves as well.  If you're not into squares you can also get your pizza in rectangular format and order it by the yard!!! Actually its a meter, but we all know that a meter is just a poor man's yard anyway.

Today I wanted to try something different picked up a square (small) pesto pizza.  It was good but not the best I've ever had from Cafe O as I felt the pesto cheese combo was a little too oily.  Not that I should really complain since other HK pizza joints frequently skimp on the dairy.  Next time you go to Cafe O try out the red onion jam - I know it sounds gross but trust me, you'll be pleasantly surprised. I like it with salami.

The crust at Cafe O is thin and crispy and available in both white and wheat variety.  I don't give it my highest rating however since sometimes the corners get a little burnt.  Maybe this isn't the crust's fault but I don't have a rating for "shape"...

This pizza's missing a piece since I gave a slice to my doorman on the way in.  He said it was pretty good. That's how I feel about it too.

Crust: 5

Sauce: 5

Toppings: 8

Ambiance:  5 (they have nice macs available if you're waiting for takeout but its kind of too bright to stay there)

Overall:6

La Piazetta

I always wanted to go to La Piazetta (in the alley behind Kinwick Center off Shelley Street) - because it looked like a cute European style outdoor cafe.  Actually, it was less like a European cafe and more like sitting in a cockroach-infested alley in Hong Kong.   We first sat at the last table (closest to Pure Fitness which was at the time being jackhammered although it was 9 pm on a Friday), however once the cockroach count reached five we decided to move closer to the lights/the inside of the restaurant, which thankfully was located next to the man in jeans and a vest playing John Denver's Country Roads on a stand up electronic keyboard.

So although this place had a lot going for it the pizza was pretty sub-standard.  There was not enough of the [way too watery] sauce and the cheese count was pathetic (clearly made by Asians).  All in all a pretty crap experience.  

Crust: 5

Sauce: 2

Toppings: 4

Ambiance: 2

Overall: 3

It wasn't all bad, however. #1, they had cans of some Italian beer called Nasturro Azzuro, which seems like it could be pretty cool (although maybe it is like Italian PBR?).  #2, we saw the weirdest hairdo/sunglass combination known to man.  If anyone can explain to me what in the hell this woman is thinking I will give you $5.

Frozen Pizza: Numero 1

I wasn't really expecting to write about frozen pizza in this blog but since it can also be quite delicious and since the selection in Hong Kong is more limited than in the United States, we'll give it a go.

Numero 1 Frozen Pizza says its produced in Italy, and it shows. This honestly might be the best frozen pizza I have ever had. It doesn't taste like a frozen pizza at all. The crust is thin and crunchy, while the sauce is delicious (and there is not too much). I tried the pepperoni version and was pleased with the thick pieces of pepperoni and bonus assorted peppers. I was not that impressed with the measly amount of cheese...Still, this is not your typical gas station frozen pizza, folks.

Crust: 6
Sauce: 6
Toppings: 6
Ambiance: N/A (I was in my pajamas in my apartment)
Overall: 6

Cooked: 225 degree oven for 10 minutes, on a piece of tin foil.
Available at: Great (Admiralty).

About Our Quest

Anyone who knows anything about Hong Kong knows that it is full of delicious food. And anyone who knows anything about me knows that I think Pizza is the most delicious food in the world hands down.

My colleague Simon and I began our quest for the best Pizza in Hong Kong last February. We've made some progress, but much work needs to be done. This blog is the story of our quest....

Above photo: Simon (left) and Duffy (right)