Working in downtown Birmingham certainly has it's advantages and disadvantages when it comes to dining out for lunch. You can either walk two blocks to your car, leave, and hope you can come back within your designated time. Or you can settle for something in the food court or within walking distance.. which you tire of very quickly (with the exception of Zoe's kitchen - if I had an infinite amount of money to spend on lunches every day I would eat at Zoe's.. and if I had an infinite amount of calories to consume I would finish every meal off with a piece of chocolate cake.. oh I love Zoe's).When I came across a new place opening on 20th St N while reading al.com one day I knew I had to go, I mean, I was pratically drooling over the article!
The next day a couple of co-workers and myself walked there for lunch. The place was packed, standing room only. Smelled AMAZING !! We stood in a line that wrapped around the eatery while we saw some of the most delicious looking food coming out from behind the counter. I could not make up my mind what I wanted, I kept seeing pasta dishes and salads and soups, I wanted to climb over a table and steel a woman's fork, but I knew better since I was wearing a dress. Our turn to order came and I took one look at the pizza piled with colorful vegetables and pancetta. I don't even like squash or zucchini but I knew pancetta when I saw it being the avid Food Network viewer and pork lover that I am. I ordered one piece and a side salad.
This was hands down the best fancy pizza I have ever had in my life. The crust was crispy and airy and flavorful and thin in some places, thick in others.. the sauce was awesome lightly coated the crust just enough for the toppings to stick.. vegetables cooked to perfection, neither dry nor soggy, perfect.. and while I've never actually eaten pacetta I've got to say that this was a pretty good first experience. The side salad was great! I love dark greens, or as some people call them "yard clippings" it was drizzled with a homemade vinaigrette that was incredibly flavorful yet very light feeling.
I recommend that you visit Zaza Trattoria and try something, anything from this place. They get a 10 out of 5 in my book, I can't wait to go back!
