There doesn’t seem to be a shortage of Italian inspired restaurants in and around town. I’ve had the gastropleasure of reviewing several and have told myself more than once that I need to NOT do an Italian review next. However, after eating at Pizzology, it definitely deserves a spotlight.
I might actually consider myself not just a fan but maybe a little addicted. There are worse things to be addicted to, but I just can’t get enough of the Pizzology Chop Salad. This crisp, romaine lettuce salad with fire-oven roasted tomatoes, prosciutto, shallots, gorgonzola and the most delicious, fresh citronette dressing ever, leaves my tastebuds dancing. The dressing is made with a smooth olive oil and the juice of a lemon that has been put in the 500 degree fire oven for just a few minutes to bring out the natural sugars. It is a salad that I honestly could eat every day.
Because of my new strange addiction, I have had the joy of dining at Pizzology four times this month which has allowed me to “sample” a few different appetizers and entrees. We start each meal with an order of breadsticks. The sauces that accompany the sticks are rich and flavorful, the white being my favorite. When not in the mood for pizza I make my entree the Italian Mussels. These fresh mussels are perfectly steamed in white wine, salumi, olive oil and garlic. I think I was caught drinking the broth when my mussels were gone.
I’ve of course had the signature pizzas that are baked in a fire oven, leaving a perfectly charred crust. My favorite pizza is the Sausage Pizza. The homemade sausage is complimented with freshly shaved fennel, onion and peppadew peppers. The fennel simply brings out the complex flavors of the Italian sausage. I’ve also enjoyed the Old Kentucky Rome, a white sauce based pizza with roasted figs, arugula, Kentucky cured prosciutto and taleggio cheese. Figs on pizza sound strange, but the chef clearly knows what works together. The sweetness of figs and salty of prosciutto and cheese is a perfect pairing.
The pasta dishes are loaded with flavorful ingredients, the Spicy Shrimp Cappellini is indeed spicy, but full of flavor. While the Spinach, Sausage & Pomodoro Cavatappi’s lighter flavor features sausage from the Smoking Goose.
Leftovers have been taken home each time and reheat perfectly. Pizzology does offer carry out, but be sure to ask for your pizza to not be sliced, as it saves the integrity of the charred crust during the trip home.
Keep in mind, each of the dishes are freshly prepared and are all worth the wait you may have for a table and the time for your dish to be served. Oh, and ask your waitress what her name is, it isn’t “Char” as her shirt references the crust on the pizza, not her name.
Pizzology is located at 13190 Hazel Dell Parkway in Carmel. Entrees range in price from $10 to $30. For more information, call 844-2550 or visit pizzologyindy.com.
