Have a Slice

Italy has its fair share of world-altering inventions including the mercury thermometer, the espresso machine and good old cursive handwriting.

While we can’t get enough of the espresso machine either, our fave Italian invention has to be pizza, made famous about two hundred years ago in Naples. Fortunately we can enjoy the original Italian flat breads in several Calgary restaurants. And kids love pizza at least as much as grown-ups do, so a visit to a real Italian pizzeria is a treat. However, we still recommend developing a restaurant strategy to ensure an enjoyable experience all around.

First, go early. The best time to enjoy a fresh melt in your mouth Napolitano pizza is right before the lunch rush. Aim for 11:30ish. Your school aged child will love to be picked up for this special treat and your preschooler will still make it home for nap.

Second, while pizzerias are casual enough for a preschooler, they are no Chuck E. Cheese. Come prepared with small toys or coloring supplies. (Remember that mom stash in the car.) You may also opt to bring a booster seat and sippy cup.

Third, Italian pizza is all about simplicity so skip the excess toppings. Pizza crust, olive oil, garlic, tomatoes and mozzarella are delicious, healthy and plain (kids love that too). 

Lina’s Italian Market is located on Centre Street NE and is the most economical of our recommendations. If you haven’t visited Lina’s before, you’ll wonder why you waited so long. A small bistro sits front and center surrounded by fresh produce, meats, cheese and scrumptious baked goods. Personal pizzas start at about $6. The Margherita pizza fresh out of the oven is shockingly tasty. 

You really get an Italian family feel from Il Centro, located in a strip mall a stone’s throw from Chinook Center. The menu is simple and the service is warm especially if you throw out a few buon giorno’s and grazie’s. Scrumptious 10 inch thin crust pizzas range from $15–17. Arrive early to avoid the busy lunch crowd. Il Centro closes at 6 pm Mon through Thurs and 10 pm on weekends.

Pucinella is a swanky joint in trendy Kensington. The pizza oven is located center stage and kids love to watch their meal in progress. Luckily the restaurateur doesn’t mind wandering children. The Pucinella pizza (vine ripened cherry tomatoes, parmigiano, buffalo mozzarella, basil) is an easy favourite but at $22 you may choose to keep this one to yourself. At the other end, the Margherita is tasty and half the price. The Sultanbocca (nutella pizza) is divine. Keep in mind, this restaurant could easily stand in for date night.

A pizza lunch date is sure to please every member of your family and sitting in a casual restaurant is good practice for your kids especially when you have the restaurant to yourself.

So skip the chains and treat your family to a famous slice of food history.

P.S. Have your own family-favourite pizza joints? If we have missed one of your faves, be sure to share it with Calgary moms on www.sharesavvy.ca. The more you share, the more chances you have to win a Whirlpool® range or a shopping spree courtesy of President’s Choice.

Lina’s Italian Market
(403) 277-9166
2202 Centre St NE

Il Centro
(403) 258-2294
6036 3st SW

Pucinella
www.pulcinella.ca
(403) 283-1186
1147 Kensington Crescent NW

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