Bored of bland Dominos and Fresh Brother’s pies, I decided to venture out of my comfort zone and make my way down to 800 Degrees Neapolitan Pizzeria on Lindbrook Drive in Westwood. There, I discovered that I could build my very own pizza. With a blank canvas, I was given the opportunity to create endless pizza combinations.
Immediately upon arriving to the restaurant, I felt as if I had entered a pizza heaven. Bustling with customers and smelling of fresh dough, 800 Degrees is lined with vintage pizza boxes hung for all to admire. Beyond a slab of glass lies an array of freshly sliced cheeses, vegetables and other unique toppings. Though at first I was overwhelmed by all the condiments that awaited me, the chalk-board menu on the wall made my ordering process simple. First, I needed to choose a basis for my pizza masterpiece: Pizza Margherita, Pizza Bianca or Pizza Marina, which each cost between $5 and $6. After choosing my pizza foundation, the creative process began. I was able to add various $1 toppings such as bacon, anchovies, chicken, ham, meatballs or salame, as well as different cheeses, which included ricotta, Gorgonzola, feta or Fontina. Vegetables ranging from broccoli to capers were also offered. After much debate, I finally placed my order: a Pizza Margherita with chicken, feta cheese and eggplant. The pizzeria also offers gourmet entrees such as meatballs, salads, antipasti and specialty pies. Furthermore, customers can blend sodas to create an individualized drink with the use of a touchscreen machine that combines different flavors into one funnel. I chose to concoct a fusion of Sprite and lemonade, which was perfectly tangy and sweet.
While your pizza is being prepared, you may take a seat at one of the marble tables or booths. The service was speedy; my pizza was prepared by the time I paid and was on my table in less than three minutes. The pizza is formed in an assembly line and then cooked at–as the name implies–800 degrees. This temperature allows the baking to finish in a little over a minute. As for the pizza itself, I found it to be divine. I identified the fresh-out-of-the-oven taste that you simply cannot get from any typical pizza delivery joint.
The restaurant provides the ideal pizza experience with a modern twist. After visiting this gem, I doubt I will ever return to take-out pizza. 800 Degrees Pizza was truly love at first bite.
