MidiCi Neopolitan Pizza

When I first learned that the CEO of Menchie's, the national fro-yo franchise, was venturing to the world of fast, gourmet-esque pizza, I expected another Blaze, PizzaRev, Pieology, 800 Degrees or Pizza Studio [all of which, by the way, I'm not above].  Although I embrace freedom of choice, given the recently influx of create-your-own, quick fire-baked pizza joints, my expectations for MidiCi were decidedly low.

. . . until I glanced at the extensive menu that reaches beyond endless toppings and a thin burnt crust.

 From charcuterie to four different burrata combos (with beets, purple kale, artichokes, or prosciutto), pizza to eight different salads, nutella calzone to spectacular gelato and sorbetto from Leo Leo Gelato, MidiCi has so much to offer it's almost overwhelming.

But the real olive tree that's chilling in the middle of the restaurant and the stunning interior decor will probably calm you down.  I can only imagine how breathtakingly romantic the restaurant would look at night.

Wood-fired pizza oven, imported from Italia.

All natural and fresh produce and protein to meet your every insalata needs.

A line of pizza chefs, hard at work.

Vibes.

Purple Kale (Cavolo Viola) -- purple kale, baby spinach, medjool dates, ricotta cheese, shaved parmigiano-reggiano, mustard vinaigrette, lemon zest -- $7.50

A and I ordered and shared a Purple Kale salad and the Devil's Pizza (Pizza Diavola).

First, the kale salad.  The good: visually stunning, healthy portion, fresh ingredients.  The needs-work: too much cheese.  Thankfully, I asked for my dressing on the side.  Had I not, I think my salad would be drowning in cheesy vinaigrette.  I ended up not using much of the dressing at all, as the ricotta was already rich.  Could have also used some cracked black pepper.

Devil's Pizza -- crushed Italian peeled tomatoes, whole mozzarella, housemade all natural spicy sausage, spicy Italian calabrese (salami), Fresno & Italian chilis, parmigiano-reggiano, extra virgin olive oil, organic sweet basil -- $11.50

The Devil's Pizza -- yummy with a spicy kick!  Everything was great -- the flavors, the level of spice, the right balance of ingredients.  If you like your crust doughy, you'll absolutely love this.  For those who want a crispier Neopolitan crust, ask for the pizza to bake a bit longer.


My favorite part of the entire meal?  Unsurprisingly, gelato.

Hazelnut and Lemon sorbetto with fresh mint.

Vanilla & Chocolate with Nutella.

While the price point may be higher than other fast pizza places, the ambience and substance make it worthwhile a visit.  Check Midici out, especially if you find yourself on Ventura Boulevard, hungry for something quick and delicious!






cuisine: Italian
location: Sherman Oaks (San Fernando Valley)
hours:
websites: { MidiCi | yelp | facebook | twitter | instagram }
attire: Casual
parking: Street
price range: $5-$12
notes: They serve weekend brunch (breakfast pizza and mimosa) and happy hour (beer/wine) on Mondays and Wednesdays from 8pm-1am.

Sweet Butter Kitchen

After being across the pond, I realized that the British don't do salad (and many other things) like we Americans do.  I'm sorry, but "rocket" lettuce (British version of arugula) and a few cherry tomatoes, drowning in salad dressing is not exactly what I'm looking for in a hearty salad.  Maybe they, like most countries, find hearty salads an oxymoron.  All I know is that for five months, I felt very vegetable-deprived.  That's why when I met up with two of my good law school buddies for brunch upon my return, I ordered one heaping plate of greens, sprinkled with reds, yellows, and whites.

Grilled Vegetable Salad - $12.75

Sometimes it seems odd to be paying more than $10 for a salad or even borderline wrong when the price of the salad is the same, or even more, than a price of a juicy hamburger.  But other times, it is very necessary for your body to eat the fruits (and veggies) of our natural earth, while givinghomage to our ancestral "gatherers" who never got enough props as their "hunter" counterparts.

This grilled veggie salad has it all: Mixed greens, asparagus, corn, and zucchini, all grilled perfectly and topped with sliced avocado, tomatoes, and chunks of chevre cheese.  The house vinaigrette is good, but you may not need more than a tiny drizzle.  The avocado and grilled veggies provide enough moisture and texture to the salad to forego the dressing altogether.

For those who would don't love salads like I do, there is also a wide selection of sandwiches, too.  This Yoga sandwich on Rustic Millstone bread is stuffed with dressed arugula, tomatoes, housemade white bean spread, and meaty avocado slices.  Healthy and delicious!

Yoga sandwich with avocado - $9.75

If salads and sandwiches don't speak to your heart (or your appetite), there are even still more options on the menu such as soups, breakfast dishes, and Intelligentsia coffee.

This place reminds me a lot of Coral Tree Cafe, but with prices much too high for the Valley.  Still, if you're in the area and hungry for some fresh food, give Sweet Butter Kitchen a try!


cuisine: American
location: Sherman Oaks
websites: { SBK | yelp }
attire: Casual
parking: street or valet in the back