What goes best with pizza?

I was browsing the net for some information for an article that I’m doing when I found myself reading a thread where people are arguing on what goes best with pizza.

The first comments where “beer, wine, ice-cold soda and even milk.” Then the responses became  amusing with “simple black dress and low heels” to “a good movie plus more pizza.” Two commenters gave cheesy yet sweet suggestions: “a boyfriend to share it with” and “the company of a good friend.”

I asked my 5-year old son Charles the same question and his quick reply was “with my Superman costume!”

Well, it seems that little Charlie still can’t get over with the superhero-themed afternoon playtime that he had along with other kids at Shakey’s Pizza along Katipunan Ave., Quezon City.  I have never seen him that happy in his spandex suit as he played, dance and share yummy slices of pizza and other food treats with fellow super kids.

With Shakey’s bringing in the “superpowers” of DC’s Justice League as they offer Justice League Unlimited party package, it will be easier to decide where Charles will spend his next birthday.  Charles sports Justice League merchandises almost every day from his school bag to lunch box and shirts to underwear (Son, if you happen to read this in the future. Please forgive me with these confessions. I just have to prove to my readers how crazy we are with the man of steel.)

As for the Shakey’s food packages on Justice League Unlimited, the platter of delights that will be served will surely make everyone happy, most especially the host of the party; by feasting on complete set meals of favorite menu items from Shakey’s.

 

For Package A, guests can take pleasure in 1 piece chicken and rice, paired with ice cream and 12 oz. iced tea. For Package B, it’s a delectable plate of 1 piece chicken, spaghetti, garlic bread, ice cream, and 12 oz. iced tea.

Package C, on the other hand, is a scrumptious serving of 1 piece chicken, spaghetti, garlic bread slice of pizza, 2 pieces of mojo, and 12 oz. iced tea. For Package D, it’s a delicious plate of 1piece chicken, spaghetti, 2 slices of pizza, 2 pieces of mojos, 12 oz. iced tea, and a bowl of creamy mushroom soup on the side.

Bring out the Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Flash and Green Lantern in your kids!  Party packages include signature dishes, activities, and even props that will further enliven the gathering. Guests are also encourages to dress up for the party. If you want to know more about this super celebration offering, just visit www.shakeyspizza.ph.

Now if you’ll ask me what goes best with pizza? Well, I’ll take any drink for my pizza as long as I share a fresh from the oven pan with Charles messy hand and my wife’s wonderful smile after a hearty meal.   

8 Slices and Tidbits about Project Pie

Growing up (or getting old, the moment you get in your thirties), there are only few things in life that is equally worth experiencing when hot or cold--- water, the weather, chocolate and pizza!

It’s pretty obvious that I’ll be talking about pizza in this post since I mentioned it last in my enumeration.  Pizza, of course, will forever have a special place in my heart (aside from my tummy) since the first meal I shared with my ex-girlfriend and now my wife Leah is a round of thin crust pizza more than eight years ago. 

Thus, it has been our tradition that in every special occasion, especially on our anniversary, we have at least a slice of this tasty treat, which originated way back 997 AD from the Italian town Gaeta, for us to share. Every year, we also look for a new restaurant where we can have a pizza feast to celebrate. The Pizza god might have been a fan of our love story that he (or she) paved way for an amazing food haven like Project Pie to be situated just a few meters from my office.

I came, I saw and I conquered a whole pizza all by my self for the very first time and I am sharing eight slices of things you might want to know about my new favorite restaurant in this side of the city.

One outlet is already conquering thousands of taste buds and tummies. Project Pie, an artisan-inspired create-your-own-pizza opened its first and only (as of today) outlet at 515 Shaw Blvd., corner Laurel St, Wack-Wack, Mandaluyong City. It’s right in front of the new site of S&R which replaced the iconic Cherry Foodarama. It opens and closes at 10 everyday.

 Two ways to order pizza. First option is to build your own for only P285 and be the boss in choosing what cheese to put--- gorgonzola, mozzarella, ricotta, parmesan and feta--- to go along with any or all the other toppings available: pepperoni, crumbled meatballs, chicken, prosciutto, Italian sausage, bacon, Canadian bacon, green bell peppers, jalapeños, roasted red peppers, red onions, mushrooms, tomatoes, black olives, garlic, pesto, pineapple, cilantro, fresh chopped basil, artichokes, rosemary and sea salt. Twenty nine toppings on your pizza if you want.  The second option is to order by number for P245. Please refer to entry number 7 below for the details.

     Three healthy salads available for the green ones. Health buffs (who can’t resist the scent of a freshly-baked pan pizza) can grab a slice or two and order some side salad. You can have the (a) Classic Caesar composed of romaine, parmesan, croutons and Caesar dressing; (b) Mixed Greens with grilled chicken, feta, craisins, candied walnuts and raspberry vinaigrette; ot (c) Pizza Salad that contains mixed greens, grilled chicken, feta, mozzarella, tomatoes, Balmasic dressing on warm pizza dough.

      Fourth branch of the franchise and first outside USA. That’s how special this store is. The first three are in Las Vegas, San Diego and Colorado. Probably the first time an international franchise opened in Manila ahead of cosmopolitan cities like Hongkong or Singapore.  You might be salivating by now that’s why I inserted an inedible trivia in the middle of the list. 

      Five other awesome eats you can order. Parmesan & Garlic is P145 per order so does yummy desserts like Banana Nutella, Peanut Butter Nuttela, and Cinnamon Sugar. If you had too much banana lately (maybe because of too much Minions stuff), I suggest you try the Strawberry Mango Nutella which is still reasonable at P195. 

      Six ways to quench your thirst here. I will be enumerating the drinks for sale at Project Pie from the cheapest: (a) bottled water (P50); (b) bottomless Coca-Cola, China Mist iced tea (P65); domestic beer (P65); Perrier or San Pellegrino (P100); imported beer (P150) and Cabernet Sauvignon or Chardonnay (P250). I bet my boys stopped reading at "domestic beer."

       Seven guaranteed-to-make-you-crave-for-more pizza creations that you can choose from for P245 only per whole pizza: (1) classic cheese pie; (2) signature red sauce, pepperoni, mozzarella, Italian sausage, garlic and crumbled meatballs; (3) tomato, artichoke, red onion, pesto, feta, mozzarella (white pizza); (4) sliced tomatoes, fresh chopped basil, mozzarella, parmesan, garlic (white pizza); (5) mozzarella, ricotta, gorgonzola, parmesan, cracked black pepper, olive oil, garlic, fresh chopped basil (white pizza); (6) grilled chicken, sliced red onion, cilantro, mozzarella, gorgonzola, barbecue sauce;  (7) prosciutto, caramelized onions, mozzarella and parmesan.

      Eight slices of pizza are not enough. This will probably be the words that will form in your head if not come out from your mouth after finishing your meal, while looking at the other customer at Project Pie still enjoying a few more slices on their plates.

   

Now, if you’re thinking of going out with your family, friends or officemates anytime, you might want to consider Pizza Project. Build your own pizza as you like it for a price that is friendly to your pocket.

  

One Sbarro Night

It was quite a busy Tuesday like no other. 

I had a meeting in the office in the morning and another one in Makati in the afternoon.  I got some stuff put on hold for tomorrow so I can accommodate the two appointments.  What added to toxic moments was the traffic jam that I encountered in EDSA and Ayala.

Well, I was just glad I capped the day with a get-together with fellow bloggers at Sbarro in Glorietta 5. Thanks to the great people of this popular pizza restaurant chain for organizing an event, my Tuesday was saved from being  a forgettable one.

Aside from the great food that was served, we were treated to an exciting trip down the memory lane on how Sbarro started.  In 1972, a Kapampangan named Jaime “Jimmy” Salvador joined the Sbarro family in New York.  He worked alongside the original founders and their sons, preserving the family brand Sbarro was known for.  He worked in operations as a store manager and eventually served as Sbarro’s first Area Manager.

Then, after 17 years of living in New York and working with Sbarro, Jimmy returned to the Philippines — carrying the Sbarro brand with him.  Along with Ma. Teresa Rodriguez and her family, he opened the first Sbarro Philippines branch at the Annex in SM North Edsa in 1990 — the first Sbarro in all of Asia.  Years later, Sbarro Philippines expanded to the Visayas, thanks to a partnership with Gerardo Luzuriaga and Marcelino Florete, Jr.

 

 

Listening to the stories of Sbarro was a treat since we were served with their signature dishes --- Ziti, white pizza and more! Yum yum!  Everyone can only sing praises for the generous feast.  But the best is yet to come.  Later that night, one of us took home a brand new iPad 2.  And that was after Sbarro raffled P10,000 worth of gift certificates.  Which could have been an added woohoo for me if only I won something.

But as I said, the generosity that we received that night was more than enough to make our day. Talking about generosity, you might want to try this new promo from Sbarro.

To know more about their latest promotions, you may visit Sbarro Philippines on Facebook.

Photo credits: Mr. Rain de Ocampo