Tag Archives: provolone

Around the Globe, Around The Corner…

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TraderJoesSpinachRicottaPizzaReady2

Across different universes (here and here), and this one, I’ve sung the praises of Trader Joe’s and for good reason.

I don’t recall many places that have resonated with me for so many reasons over these many years, but they have. and maybe you have a place or two that has given you those feelings, those butterflies, and everything else with the warm and fuzzies.

In the grand scheme of things, it still is just a store (to find a store near you go here), but it’s always had a a good energy.   Sometime it’s had the energy.  I can’t tell you how many locations I’ve been to, but with maybe one or two rare exceptions, I’ve always felt at peace, spiritually whole, and sometimes rejuvenated after a visit.

There’s no need to belabor this point.  Maybe I’m always in that place of abundance right before I walk in, and it manifests itself in ways that words won’t or can’t do justice.

After all this time, how I never got around to writing about their pizzas is one of those universal things.  Micro vs. macro, or what have you. It’s not that serious, let’s get to the pies.

For the summer, I hopefully found two of the better pizzas to discuss, and I’m proud to say that the Spinach Ricotta, and the Sicilian Style Red Pepper. Provolone, & Pearl Mozzarella were absolute works of art.

Maybe it was a moment of inspiration, but of all the pizzas (and they got too many, that another post is meant to happen, and soon), I grabbed these two, and they turned out perfectly.

The suggested heating time and temperature is shown to you, but I altered it a bit and placed both in the oven simultaneously.   That hasn’t always worked, but this go around just felt right.  I just knew it was going to be special before I even walked in the door, and then before I walked in the door.

Thin crust is ideal for warm weather, it’s ideal for any time, yet in July, in the heart of Summer, it’s ideal for right now.  Perfection.  And this crust, my goodness, everything about this is right.  It’s not quite comfort food, which can wait. This is a pizza to enjoy alone, or share with friends, and to appreciate with every bite.

Honestly, I did have one I liked a little more, but that’s besides the point.  They’re both tremendous.  The spinach and ricotta on top of a regular pie base had a charm and appeal that I didn’t realize until after it came out of the even.

The Sicilian Style would be fine with our without the peppers, but I wanted a cheese pizza, with just a little more.  The provolone and mozzarella definitely has a distinct taste.  Yet, within all this splendor, there was a packet of olive oil to drizzle on top.  I was only going to put on a little, but I went crazy. Looks good doesn’t it?  It’s the little things, but going crazy over olive oil is what makes me happy right now.  This pizza made me happy.

No I don’t have a favorite after all, it’s a two way tie and both are outstanding.  Did I already say that? Well let me reiterate, Trader Joe’s knows how to do pizza.  It’s more than just frozen food, it’s an experience.

And I’m grateful to have had this experience, and to share it with you.

Peace Be With You.

Ideen

 

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Every Peace Is Important

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DonatosHotChicken4

You know after last week, I thought my time in Vienna, Virginia was going to be short lived and an eventual return to Baltimore was inevitable.  The universe had other plans for me.  And that can only mean more pizza from out of the way.  And I’m so grateful for another place to discuss, which I otherwise wouldn’t have.

DonatosFront

Until last week, I had never heard of Donatos. I wasn’t aware of this growing pizzeria chain, and why it sometimes takes so long to find something so beautiful, or for it to find you, is just one of those things.  I wasn’t meant to discover this until now.   Who knows what else is out there, but what I do know is this a magical discovery that is another great reminder of how life, and as we approach the holidays, can be so awesome if you let nature and a belief that good things till come, take its course.

Of course I’m talking about pizza, but you can apply this to everything.

What I first loved when first walking in was the decor and the colors of the interior.  It had a soothing feeling that can only be described as pizza.  I know, this is the expert analysis you come to look for in this blog.  Thank you so much and have a blessed day.

All kidding aside, I just had a good feeling about this place before I even walked in.   I love the fact that they use provolone cheese as their base.   I mean, who doesn’t love mozzarela, it’s the perfect pizza for cheese.  It was the cheese that was meant to be married to pizza dough and sauce.  But provolone has a distinct taste all its own.  And it showed on my two pizza choices.

DonatosBoard

First, I went with the pepperoni.  Maybe it was the sign that enticed me?  Wouldn’t it do the same to you? No? Well ok, it did to me… But if I’m going to get cheese, I might as well get a simple topping so I can get several tastes in one.  That’s what makes pizza and blends of foods so fun.  You never now what you might discover.

DonatosPepperoni

But as the sign said, they throw a multitude of pepperoni that you won’t know what to do with yourself.  Well you can eat it for one.  Not sure what else you can do, except have a little fun with this.

DonatosPepperoni2

This was a fun pizza.  I got this and the second pizza to come, in personal size (at only $6) to sample and to save for later.  I like the basic crust and the charming pieces it was cut in.  I like their style a lot.  It’s a style all their own.

DonatosHotChicken

Speaking of all their own,  the Hot Chicken was a first for me.  This showed ambition and while it was aggressive, it succeeded.  I didn’t even realize they threw pepper jack cheese on it.  I figured it was more of the provolone.  But little did I know.  The hot chicken pieces were the highlight.  And as I’ve been stating since the beginning of this journey, I always have fun picking off the toppings and eating them by its lonesome. The same goes for the aforementioned pepperoni.  It would be a crime not to do this.

DonatosHotChicken2

The jalapeno peppers and pickles that complement the pie, may be a challenge to eat for some (it was a little for me), it’s a different take on pizza.  Essentially a chicken sandwich was put on top of a pie.  Some ranch drizzle thrown on top and you think you’re somewhere else.

DonatosHotChicken3

I’ve grown to like pickles again, or otherwise this might have been more of a chore than a feast.  But with all that being said, this was a fun adventure, and I love when pizzerias get creative with how they present their takes on favorites, and then throw in their own select pies to stand out.  This one stands out alright.   And if their menu tells us anything, they have quite a few stand out pizzas that I would love to try sometime.

But what’s most important is when we approach this time of year, you’ll start seeing more requests for donations to causes near and dear to each and every organization and establishment we come across.  I like the gesture.  It makes me feel warm. It makes me want to do more.  And while I think I can only do so much.  A little donation here, a helping hand there is what life is all about.

DonatosDonate

It wasn’t a forced request.  It’s there waiting for your support, and it’s up to us to decide if it’s a cause we believe in, or not.  And even if isn’t, it’s always the symbolic gesture that always means the most.

I like that the word Donatos sounds so similar to donate.   I don’t think I’m reading too much into that.  And I don’t think it’s by accident.

For more on Donatos, here is their menu, their locations, and more about their company.

DonatosBox

I found my brief visit quite peaceful yet so substantial and spiritually healing.   I’m grateful to have been granted the opportunity to discuss and share with you.

We’re less than a week away from Thanksgiving and I could feel the peace and spirit of the holidays at Donatos.  I can’t wait to see where I head to next.   But for now…

…Peace be with you.

Ideen

Lotsa To Love

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lotsabianca

If I had only said only ‘Lotsa To Like’ that would imply that I really enjoyed it, but there was that little extra missing.  So I said I love it.  And indeed I do.  No embellishment of the truth is necessary.

lotsafront

Lotsa (which now has several locations and growing) of Towson, MD is simple, effective, and to the point pizza.  It’s stone fried and even though it’s the equivalent of fast food, it tastes anything but.  This tastes like a real pizza.  Nothing about this is done halfway, even though the heating times ranges from three to five minutes.  And in those few minutes is where magic and wonder happens.

I know many folks are purists.  They wouldn’t even consider going into a pizza shoppe like this one.  I’m passionate about pizza but at the same time I like to give new places a chance.  And even though this is an expanding chain, it’s still the first time for me, and I’ve wanted to eat here since the Summer.

And to me pizza is pizza.  If it’s good than it’s good, no matter how it was created.  I respect the original forms but can appreciate what’s going on today.   I’m a traditionalist myself , but I would like to think there’s room for everyone.

Yes, I only heard about Lotsa going back to June, when it was on the verge of opening.  I had promised myself I would eat here before the year would be over.  I was cutting it close but I’m a man of my word.

I did no research on this place beforehand.  I wanted to go in with as little knowledge or biases as possible.  It’s good to know a few things ahead of time, such as the menu, and whether it’s casual or higher end dining, but unless absolutely necessary I’d like to have an unexpected and organic experience.   Calling it one or the other would be an understatement.

lotsastone

I had avoided as much as I could to have any preconceived notions.  But the way friends talked about this place made it seem like it was a fancier dining establishment.   To my pleasant surprise, it wasn’t.   Everything I mentioned earlier, about how it was quick and seamless I only found out about upon walking in.  I find that so cool.  Expect the unexpected, and don’t expect anything at all  For me at least, it’s more enjoyable that way.

So this is a recap of two separate visits.

lotsabreakfastpizza2

With visit number one, it was lunchtime, but I went with their Breakfast Pizza.  In the two years plus of doing this blog, this would be my first breakfast pie, and what a way to start. I adore this thing.   I was afraid it was going to be too heavy with the sausage and bacon, but it was just right.  The cheddar jack is the perfect cheese for this type of pie.  The spices from everything all come together so nicely.

But the standout is this dough.  It’s that comfort food style crisp and chewy bread that fits perfectly with this time of year.   This is the kind of bread I want when it’s freezing cold and I want to indulge in some bread in the comfort of my own home, with friends of in solitude.  It represents winter weather perfectly.  That’s not to say you should only have it around this time of year.  But I can’t say enough good things about their dough.

lotsabianca2

Second, is the Bianca.  And doesn’t this just look like Christmas?  Look at these colors.   And again that dough.  Oh my goodness this is so good.  It’s charred to masterpiece like levels.  And that stone fired oven is a thing of beauty.    This bread tasted as good, if not better for round two.  Additionally, the provolone cheese truly makes this pizza something special and one I would get again.

lotsabiancaslice

Actually I would get either of these again.   The garlic, tomatoes, basil, olive oil, and all the other cheese with the aforementioned provolone make this a hit.  And it serves an audience seeking something lighter than the breakfast pie.  Did I mention it looks so Christmasy?   Yay!  I love Christmas!

As I mentioned, there’s currently just a few locations.  Local to our friends in Maryland, would be Towson and Annapolis.  So if you’re in the area I highly recommend checking them out.  And at about $8 for a personal pie, you can’t go wrong.

Oh and they were playing nothing but 90’s pop music throughout both my visits.  If that doesn’t sell you than I don’t know what will.

lotsabox

Here’s their menu and more about Lotsa itself.

And here’s my previous visits to Towson in the form of pizza.

There’s a lot of holidays left and I hope you’ve been enjoying them with the people you love and maybe eating some good za!

I love the holidays!

Ideen