Wine and dine at Pizza Antica
Great meals don't have to be expensive. This includes those for Valentine's Day. You can have fun, enjoy your food and be romantic without getting gussied up and depleting your bank account. If you've never been, or even if you have, think about a delightful dinner at Pizza Antica on Valentine's Day.
Operated by the owners of the acclaimed Village Pub in Woodside, this Santana Row restaurant is an excellent place to enjoy good food at great prices. The menu is small, but inclusive with an extensive gourmet pizza list, including the option to create your own, a selection of pastas, a sampling of proteins and of course some lovely salads. The pizzas are topped with a variety of delectable fresh ingredients including spicy fennel sausage, bartlett pears, heirloom potatoes, seasonal vegetables and aromatic cheeses. The smalls ($7.95 to $9.50) are individually sized, and although they certainly don't leave you hungry, they aren't particularly overbearing either. If you and your companion desire the same fare, the large pizzas ($12.95 to $14.95) easily feed two. However, a metal stand will be placed on your table between you and your date and could detract from quality gazing time.
As far as the menu goes, it is difficult to order a poorly crafted dish. Noteworthy salads include the Caesar ($6.95), which is among the best I've had, and the Warm Brussels Sprouts with bacon and hard boiled egg ($8.75), which may sound frightening, but is quite delicious. When ordering pizzas please note that many of them do not include the traditional tomato sauce base, so if this is something near and dear to your heart, it's best to ask your waiter to confirm it's presence on your pie.
Wines vary in price and quality, but if you're looking for the best for the buck, expect to spend about $36. Order the Calera Chardonnay if you want white, which is at the higher end of the price spectra, but whose taste is definitely worth the extra couple of dollars. There is a more pricey selection of reds boasting quite a few excellent wines, but for the same $36, your best bet is the Phelps Le Mistral. Though a $36 price point may mean one bottle is more than enough, it saves energy and cognizance for the later festivities.
Overall, this is a great restaurant with un-daunting food and a cozy atmosphere. Its wait staff is polite, its location convenient and its pizza second to none. A great place for a Valentine's Day date with that special someone, be it your boyfriend or your best friend. You'll have a great time either way. Plus, if you don't have a date or would rather eat at home by your fireplace, they offer most of their menu as take-out, which is an added bonus.
â€" Written by Michelle Murphy