ITALIAN COMFORT FOOD WITH A LOCAL, MODERN TWIST – OUR NEW FAVOURITE PIZZERIA IN GENEVA
LA PIZZERIA, GENEVA
by Alexandra Osváth
This is not your average pizzeria. Here’s why we think you’ll love it.
When we parted the draped curtains to enter La Pizzeria, a new establishment on Rue de la Corraterie near Parc des Bastions, we had a feeling that this was our kind of place. We instantly loved the fun, modern décor, complete with living green walls. The open kitchen invited us to observe the busy chefs, shiny ovens and delicious dishes being prepared.
That very same kitchen used to have a Michelin star, but the owners, Francesco Gasbarro and Ilaria Sterzi Lucchini, now want to pursue creating a warm, relaxed atmosphere where friends and families can gather together over great food.
We were taken to our high table, where the server welcomed us to the restaurant’s pre-opening week. The menu looked fresh and inventive, and we took a while deciding what to order – even planning what we’d order on our next visit! We loved how so many of their ingredients were sourced locally from Geneva, while maintaining a very Italian feel.
While the menu isn’t very long, the offerings are traditional Italian staples with a modern, local flair. You won’t find meat or fish dishes, but the owners have chosen to focus on serving authentic Italian appetizers, pizzas and pasta made with fresh, simple ingredients.
FRESH, SIMPLE AND DELICIOUS
For our appetizers, we decided on the arancine (15 CHF) and the fried gnocco with artisanal ricotta mousse (from Geneva) and Parma ham, (18 CHF) which were great choices.
We were served three different types of arancine (fried rice balls) – beef ragu and green peas, aubergine and scamorza cheese, and mozzarella and prosciutto. They were all delicious but the ragú was our favourite. The fried gnocco was delicious with Geneva-sourced ricotta mousse and Parma ham layered on top.
We ordered a Peroni beer (of course) and a delicious glass of Tuscan red wine.
Our server recommended we try their special take on pizza, so we did – and we were very pleasantly surprised! While they do serve traditional round pizza, this steam-baked pizza contemporanea was entirely different. It’s served in triangles on a wooden board, with the ingredients peeking out from between the slices of bread-meets-pizza-meets-focaccia. You’ll have to try it yourself! We decided to be bold and order the pizza with octopus, broccoli, tomatoes and orange slices, which was a truly unique balance of flavours and textures that worked well together.
Next time we want to try the Ginevrina (24 CHF), an Italian take on fondue – but pizza! Sounds almost too good to be true.
We knew we just had to try a pasta dish as well, so we ordered the tortelli panna e prosciutto (24 CHF). What a delight! The menu calls it the “classic of classics of 1980s pizzerias” and it’s officially my new go-to gourmet comfort food. Just the right balance of high-quality ham, cream and parmesan. I really didn’t want to share…
As it was a toss-up, next time I’m definitely trying the fettuccine cacio e pepe “Beltrami” (23 CHF), made here with pecorino from master cheesemaker Vittorio Beltrami and bold black Sarawak pepper.
Desserts are my husband’s territory, so I let him choose – we had the Pistacchio di Bronte with white chocolate (14 CHF), and the biscotti ripieni di gelato (12 CHF). His verdict? “They were awesome.”
The pistachio cake was served with homemade ice cream drizzled with a white chocolate sauce, which was simple yet delicious. As I’m not usually a fan of white chocolate I was hesitant at first, but quickly won over.
But the gold medal went to the crunchy, chocolate-covered cookies filled with three different flavours of homemade ice cream: pistachio, almond and vanilla. My husband keeps raving about them!
I ordered a cappuccino at the end of the meal, and it was one of the very best I’ve had in Geneva.
OUR VERDICT
Italy meets Geneva with a delicious, modern flavour, and we loved it! They stick to a handful of expertly prepared dishes, with many ingredients sourced locally. From the décor to the service to the dishes, La Pizzeria gets our seal of approval. We can’t wait to go back!
MORE INFO
www.lapizzeria.ch
@la_pizzeria_ch
Open Wednesdays to Sundays
Rue de la Corraterie 21, Geneva
Reservations for groups of 8 or more.
Opened on 2 September 2020
NOTE: Our meal was sponsored by the restaurant during their pre-opening week. We only feature restaurants we like and that we think will appeal to our audience.
