Olivella’s – Elevating Pizza and Wine

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Olivella's - Elevating Pizza and Wine

 

 

 

Olivella's - Elevating Pizza and Wine
Pizza and Wine Can Be a Balanced an Elevated Pairing in the right hands

 

 

The perfect wine for pizza.  A phrase often used, but in reality a lot of wines are not an ideal match. So, having the opportunity to have a pizza and wine pairing curated with a personal strategy from Olivella’s Sommelier and Area Director of Operations at Green Restaurant Services, Simon Holguin, was a treat.

 

Many pizza places – even upscale – often have popular wines featured, but not wines that match the food. I was excited to try the options from Olivellas Pizza and Wine Shop, which all paired very well with the pies.

 

 

Olivella’s – Pairing Pizza and Wine

 

 

Simon talked about pairings with the pizzas and the importance of matching wines that bring them life. He talked about the challenge, but how it makes the experience so much better.

 

 

 

The Deliciousness of Olivella’s

 

 

The History of Olivella’s

 

Experiencing a restaurant concepted by the third oldest pizza family from Naples, Italy, and brought to life by Chef Salvatore Olivella, the executive chef at Ruschmeyer’s in Montauk, shows a passion for Italy, pizza making and fresh ingredients.  It was delicious.  And having a well thought through strategy for a food and wine experience was an eye-opening tasting experience.

 

 

Focaccia with Burato, Pesto Balsamic and Great Olive Oil

 

 

The Food of Olivella’s

 

 

Two different crust styles

 

 

Olivella’s has a full menu of pastas, pizzas, salads, paninis, and desserts from based on Italian recipes and styles. The pizzas are made in the Neapolitan (thin) and Roman styles (super thin).

 

I’m Italian and good pizza is an art and a science. Good pizza, like wine, has fresh and balanced ingredients. Ratios (like blends) are important, and cheese, crust, toppings and sauce are extremely important and can make or break the meal.

 

The restaurant has been named “Best Pizza in Texas” by USA Today, recognized in an article called “Most Incredible Pizza You’ll Ever Eat” by Rachael Ray, and has been picked Best Pizza in Dallas by the Observer: 2009, 2015, and 2016. There are Lakewood, SMU and Fort Worth locations.

 

 

The wine pairing experience

 

 

The Wine of Olivella’s

 

Olivella’s launched the wine program prior to the pandemic (the Lakewood location was around several years before) and was overwhelmed by the neighborhood support.

 

There are retail choices, and the wines are at different price tiers — $28, $30, $36, $40, $50, $52, $65, $70, $80, $85, $90, $105 and $140 – a mix of approachable, delicious and wines of all tiers.

 

I asked Simon about the pricing strategy, and he told me, “We want people to come in at the price they want to pay and find a delicious discovery.”

 

 

 

 

And desserts even get pairing attention.  If you had told me that tiramisu works with a Napa Cabernet, I wouldn’t have believed you.  The two together were heavenly.

 

Here’s our food and wine-line up:

 

 

Salad with coconut balsamic with apple, cranberries and goat cheese

 

 

The Food

 

Focaccia – Burrata, garlic, herbs and olive oil with a balsamic pesto.

Primavera Salad — mixed greens, goat cheese, green apple, sun-dried cranberry, coconut balsamic dressing

Black Truffle Pizza — house-made mozzarella, usually made with speck (Italian ham, but I’m allergic to pork), mushrooms, truffle oil, black pepper (no sauce)

Chicken, Margarita and Pesto Pizza — house-made mozzarella, sauce, basil, chicken and pesto

Spinach and Three Cheese Pizza – as it sounds, but delicious. Could have been a special as I didn’t see it featured on the menu.

Tiramisu – Italian proper

 

The Wines

 

NV Nicolas Feuillatte

2017 Berner Sauvignon Blanc, Loire Valley

2017 Crossbarn by Paul Hobbs Chardonnay, Russian River Valley

2017 Raymond “Sommelier” Cabernet Sauvignon, North Coast

2018 Joel Gott, Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley

2018 Tarot La Force, Napa – sidenote: this was the tiramisu pairing and I am now a believer

 

Olivella’s is elevating the experience of pizza and wine by providing an affordable, intelligent and interesting wine menu that perfectly complements the food. Enjoy a fun journey of discovering what the Italians do so well – the food and wine experience.

 

 

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