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January 6, 2006
The Power of Pizza
It's true. I've been in a rather bad mood for the last few days. Post-holiday depression? Workaday malaise? A bad piece of fish? Who knows. But I have been rather a bitch. Sorry!
Today, though, I found something that really dug me, at least temporarily, out of the depths. Anyone who knows me won't be shocked to hear that it was lunch that did it.
Hayes Valley has been an up-and-coming neighborhood as long as I've lived in San Francisco, but the opening of Octavia Boulevard has sealed the deal. Now the restaurants and shops that were there seem to be doing a brisk business even when it's not concert season (the Opera House and Symphony Hall are very nearby), and new spots are opening up faster than Elton John musicals.
One of these new spots is where I found myself for lunch today. Patxi's (say "PAH-cheese") Chicago Pizza is in the spot where Powell's Place used to serve up delicious and authentic Soul Food with a... well, not exactly a smile. Anyhow, Powell's has moved up to the Western Addition, and their old spot got a nice modern renovation and is now home to Patxi's. I'm happy to report that exposed brick still looks cool! Their menu tells me there is another Patxi's (the original?) in Palo Alto on Emerson just off University. Not to sound TOtally elitist, but that's actually a good sign. OK, that did sound elitist.
They sell pizza by the pie or slice, Chicago Style deep dish or thin crust. Now I am usually a thin crust guy, but I hated to miss out on pizza that was obviously their specialty. And hey... I was hungry, and could take any leftovers home with me, and besides... I was depressed! One 10-inch ('serves two' says the menu) full-on deep dish for me with pepperoni (natch), spinach and Kalamata olives. Salty-licious! The staff is eager to please in that "we're a new restaurant, so tell your pals how great we are" kind of way, but that didn't detract.
It did take a while to make (about a half-hour, just as they said it would), so I had a small garden salad to prime the pump. When the pizza finally showed up, it was a marvelous sight to behold. The sides were, like, 6 inches high and it was piled full of cheese, rich tomato sauce and my chosen ingredients. I flung aside the Everyday Food I had been reading and dove in face first.
To put it mildly, this pizza was incredible. I suppose I should make the inevitable comparison to Zachary's, but I'd hate to say one is better. If anything Patxi's deep dish is just a little more... refined than Zachary's, and that may be the stylish environment talking. Whatever -- they're both great, but I don't have to cross over or under a major body of water to get Patxi's. Advantage: Patxi's!
I am hardly ever one to get pizza leftovers wrapped up to go, since no pizza slice is fully safe with me in proximity, but this pizza pwned me. I did manage to finish four elephantine pieces and there are two more are on deck for my next downward mood swing. I'm expecting one any minute now.
Posted by kyle at January 6, 2006 3:54 PM
Comments
Yum!! Preggers love pizza!!!!!!! Can't wait to see you all on Thursday PM. Have a great week!
Posted by: Elaine at January 9, 2006 7:12 AM
Imagine a progressive pizza party - Patxi's, Pauline's, then Arinell - that would totally pwn me! Especially if Arinell began with a "p."
Posted by: Q at January 25, 2006 6:30 PM
Hi Kyle,
I don't know if you will remember me but I went to Wesleyan with you...Mary Ward. I was good friends with Moe, Trish, Kari and Lee. Trish sent me your blog and being a foodie myself I loved reading it. I have such fond memories of watching Pee Wee's playhouse with you and Stephen and everyone on Saturday morning's in college. Take care...Mary "Ward" Verra (married name)
Posted by: Mary Ward at March 18, 2006 6:26 AM