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Pizzeria Barbarella
Category: Restaurants Pizza Pizza [Edit]
654 E BroadwayVancouver, BC V5T 1X7
Neighbourhood: Mount Pleasant
(604) 210-6111
- Hours:
Tue-Sun 5 pm - 10 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
30 reviews for Pizzeria Barbarella
30 reviews in English
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Review from Christine K.
Vancouver, BC
5/19/2012 2 photos
I waited to go here until they got liquor! I like to have wine when I dine out. I got a nice sized glass of Spanish Tempranillo that was only $6. I enjoyed it. But onto the star, the pizza! It was definitely the best pizza I've had in Vancouver -- to date. I've been trying all the new Neapolitan places and this is tops for me!
The crust is so good! I could taste each topping and the flavours melded together in harmony. We had the diavola and the amatriciana, the latter being our fave. That pancetta was crazy delicious! Wow! The leftover pizza out of the fridge was just as good the next day, which I had for breakfast and then lunch...
The decor/ambiance is nothing to write home about but it doesn't matter when pizza as good as that is being served. We will be back! -
Review from Robbie G.
Toronto, ON
5/22/2012 1 Check-in Here
I was here early April (before they got their liquor license). I think a beer or glass of wine would have definitely improved my experience. Despite that, the pizza was great. True, traditional pie which has been making a bit of a comeback in north american restos.
It's comparable to Pizzeria Libretto or Terroni in Toronto, which was a nice surprise to have on the left coast.
Decor was sparse and lacked that "warm-cozy" feeling most pizza places have. Perhaps I wouldn't have noticed if the place wasn't mostly empty?
Regardless, if you're looking for a great pizza pie in Vancouver, this is a good bet! -
Review from Ellen L.
5/4/2012 1 Check-in Here
The rave reviews continued to pour in, so there I was, at Pizzeria Barbarella, looking to fill my post-gym tummy with carbohydrates and cheese.
The restaurant was very busy on a Wednesday evening and it was loud loud LOUD! After the kiddies party left, it improved but was still a strain to carry on conversation across the table. It certainly doesn't help that the dining room is essentially a big empty cement block - the sound just bounced and was amplified. I appreciated the attempt at ambience with jazz music and tea lights, but the noise really killed it.
On to the pizzas:
The fennel sausage on the Salsiccia was divine! This was the winner compared to the Cavolini, which had the brussels sprout leaves - the flavour on this one is more subdued. Lots of cheese on both. As for the dough, a bit soggy in the centre, but wonderfully chewy otherwise. As for size, I think 1 pizza and perhaps an appy is just enough for 2 people.
I'm not entirely wowed by the pizza - it wasn't savoury enough. I think it'll make a difference if there were more toppings or more zing from the tomato sauce. It was also a bit salty, which caused me to be very thirsty afterwards. -
Review from Cory B.
Vancouver, BC
5/23/2012
Best pizza I've had in Vancouver. And they now have a liquor license!
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Review from Helen Y.
Vancouver, BC
4/19/2012
Yuummmy,
best Napolitan pizza in Vancouver.. even comparable to the ones i love in toronto So much.. and close enough to the pizza i had in naples just last month!
i agree with some reviewers tho, booze would have been nice.. and less sparse sitting would have been nicer as well.. after all, it's more than just the food in front of your face.. -
Review from Elton R.
4/5/2012
Wow, that Mike U is really Debby downer ain't he? Only 2 out of 7 reviews were given 4 and 5 stars, respectively... Also, I wanted to clarify his comment about pizza like this being dime a dozen in NYC: are you saying that there are a lot of restaurants serving Neapolitan pizza or are you confusing the typical NY-style pizza with the Neapolitan-style pizza? I am led to believe the latter but either way, it's an embarrassing comparison.
Back to the topic at hand: Terry, the owner of Barbarella makes some delicious Neapolitan pies. I went with a buddy of mine - we ordered the margherita and amatriciana. We were not disappointed - baked to perfection and brimming with flavours, these have to be one of the best pizzas in town. Well not completely satisfied as we were hoping to enjoy the grub with some brews and/or vino, but they have yet to acquire a liquor permit. C'est la vie... Hopefully this will change soon.
I'm so happy that Vancouver is finally getting the pizza revolution under way, which I felt was long overdue. Barbarella is yet another step in the right direction! I'll be back, but may wait for them to get their liquor license. -
Review from J N.
Vancouver, BC
3/16/2012 2 Check-ins Here
Totally delicious pizza that's almost a five star! Everything we had was great. The crust was slightly thicker than those of the recent Neapolitan craze which wasn't a bad thing at all. The texture almost seemed reminiscent of a NY pizza-by-the-slice kinda place. It was so totally awesome that we gorged ourselves on a second one (which I, for one, didn't need) just after the first. Get the pepperoni or brussel sprout variety. (Authentic names omitted.) I was very curious about the pistachio rose, which apparently wasn't too popular of a choice. (It was my first choice.)
Even the garden salad was just perfect.
The service by our Irish waitress and French waiter (cute, right?) was prompt and efficient. The place was packed early on in the eve. Not bad at all for a restaurant still sans liquor license. (Coming soon!)
The candles on the table added a soft a touch to an otherwise stark atmosphere, which fit the look of the neighbourhood. So did the photos that adorned the walls. But it was missing...something. I dined with an artist who commented how the owner should "blow up some of his family pictures" and really let them shine.
Also, since the place is new and still getting noticed (I mean, I'm the biggest pizza fan EVER and just now did I find this one!) they should try adding a few "extras". How about a little chocolate to sweeten the bill? Or maybe an Italian candy? What about some homemade breadsticks like Campagnolo used to make? I'll say it again... If only places knew how much the "little" extras really DO make a difference and how much more $$$ they would make in the long run, they might just take note. :)
Of course, I'll return, and I'm sure with a few "tweaks" it will be a five star, if not one of the top three in the city--very soon!Listed in: Just a "Little" of Italy, Pizza Pies
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Review from Ernesto G.
Updated - 5/3/2012 5 photos
14 wines by the glass, 9 different bottles of beer, and 3 beers on tap! Barbarella just got way better! And the pizza is still the best in town!!!
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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2/5/2012
Best Pizza in town! Yes, I said it. BEST pizza in town!!!
Thank you Arnold P for recommending this… Read more »
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Review from Joel K.
Vancouver, BC
3/2/2012
This place is so great. Delicious, unpretentious pizza. One of the best things in life!
We got the margherita and salsiccia (fennel sausage, basil and hot peppers) pizzas. The crust was perfect Neapolitan. It's pretty obvious the owner is passionate about his pizza, since he is the one making it. We found out about this restaurant through this blog post (via google), which explains his background: http://foodosophy.word...
They're still waiting to get a liquor license, but it should be coming in the next week or so.
Can't wait to bring my friends back to eat more pizza! -
Review from K F.
Vancouver, BC
4/25/2012
I FINALLY just checked out this little pizza joint, and I must say that I'll be back! We ordered the amatriciana pizza, and it was del-ish!! Yummers. And.....get this.....we got some beers with it too! I had read several 'yelpers' mention that Pizzeria Barbarella wasn't licensed yet, which I'm not going to lie, was one of the reasons I hadn't checked it out yet. But...we just so happened to luck out with the beers tonight - apparently they just received their license last week.
The decor is simplistic, and that's cool. I think it allows your senses to not be over stimulated, so when you sink your teeth into the pizza-pie, you can give your full attention to your taste buds, and relish the flavours.
In the background was instrumental jazz - which I love. A perfect accompaniment to the food and atmosphere!
All in all, I'd say it is a great place, that I can't wait to visit again. -
Review from Allen W.
2/18/2012 2 Check-ins Here
Love it!
Restaurant is quite spacious and dimly lit, giving the pizza dining experience some ambience. Jazz music filled the air and was a good fit with the candle lit tables. Service was friendly and prompt.
The pizza is the BEST I've had in Vancouver, chewy and thin crust with amazingly delicious toppings. The pizzas were actually larger than I expected and were probably 12" diameter. We had the Sasiliccia (fennel sausage and pickled peppers) and Amatriciana (cured meat and red onion) - both were outstanding. Prices range from ~$9-16 and are worth it. The toppings are so fresh and most are handmade as well.
It was a cold night so we ordered coffee with our dinner. It's french press and quite good too.
Will certainly be back! The liquor license is likely to make this place even busier, but it appears they are doing good as it is. -
Review from Nicolb T.
Updated - 2/15/2012 4 Check-ins Here
It's only been 14 days into the month, and I've already gone back. What have you done to me?
Just wanted to write an additional recommendation for the list:
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filetti - fior di latte, oven dried cherry tomatoes, basil, fresh garlic, sea salt, parmigiano reggiano and extra virgin olive oil
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Well worth the price with every single bite. How do they get the crust so ridiculously delicious?
And an extra extra extra kudos to the staff for being upfront and generous. Our order tonight seemed to be misplaced and took longer than it should have. But instead of pretending that it never happened, the staff owned up to it, brought over complementary olives (I unfortunately do not eat olives) and pop.
Needless to say, I'm more than happy to way over tip for such great service and even more delicious pizza.Listed in: I Eat Where I Live., Like a Big Pizza Pie, That's…
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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2/3/2012
I'm so incredibly disappointed in myself for not only having passed by this place so many times… Read more »
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Review from Alex I.
Vancouver, BC
4/25/2012
Had their plainest pizza, since most everything was kind of pricey. Was not expecting that considering the neighborhood seems more working class. It was fine, but not something I'd come back for. Also, the server seemed very uncomfortable, and was staring at us. Me and my friend were really wondering what was going on there.
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Review from Marc D.
Vancouver, BC
3/24/2012 4 photos
* NY/Neapolitan Fusion that works but in need of a license and better desserts *
This place is putting out a hybrid pizza that is something between a classic Neapolitan and a classic New York style slice. A fusion that actually works well!
The space itself is a bit sparse - they are clearly focusing on the pizza and not too worried about the surroundings! The do put a little tealight candle on each table, and there are a few small photos on the dark gray walls. There is a nice clear view of the pizza oven though! :)
We started off with a house salad. This was fairly standard mixed greens with a few cherry tomatoes sliced in. The balsamic dressing was flavourful, but it was a bit over-dressed for my taste, but not yet wilted from over dressing, as it was likely freshly tossed. Overall a 3 star salad. Photo: http://www.yelp.ca/biz...
The pizza salsiccia was the star of the show. It was topped with tomato, fior di latte, aged mozzarella, fennel sausage, house pickled peppers, basil, parmigiano reggiano and extra virgin olive oil. The fennel seeds in the sausage added the perfect flavour punch to each bite. The crust was perfect for this style - the centre was softer, but not falling apart, and the outside was crispy but not burned. It was easy to pick up a piece, fold it, and eat it without things falling apart. Photos: http://www.yelp.ca/biz... and http://www.yelp.ca/biz... The bottom of the crust had a nice leopard spotting from the perfect char. Photo: http://www.yelp.ca/biz... The pizza overall was a 4.5 star for me. I will definitely repeat!
Dessert was a bit of a let down. It was a housemade dish of graham cracker, under-ripened bananas, toffee sauce, and whipped cream. It was underwhelming - the under-ripened bananas killed it with their tannic taste. The toffee sauce was a bit too sweet (not enough to offset the tannins though). The whipped cream was good, but it wasn't enough to make up for the rest of the dish. 2 stars on this one. (Sorry forgot to take a photo)
Service was extremely friendly and professional.
This place is a keeper, and I'm looking forward to them getting their wine and beer license to round out the offerings! I understand they will have a selection of Italian, Canadian, US, and South American wines with a wide range from value to mid-range. It will be a nice addition! I likely won't order dessert again though. :)Listed in: Vancouver European Food, Vancouver Pizza
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Review from Patrick R.
Vancouver, BC
2/22/2012
First off the Pizza is DELICIOUS!
At first I was a little weary of the price and the size of the pizza's from the photos I saw online but when I got there and tried it for myself I realized two things.
1. The owner in the pictures is HUGE, so the pizzas looked small and
2. Quality over quantity never felt so right.
I was good and full by the end and the food itself was great. Awesome flavours and lots of in house ingredients. I wouldn't say its the best pizza I've ever had (in this style), but it is a welcome addition to options in Vancouver and Mount Pleasant.
The atmosphere was a little bit odd since it is so sparse and the place is relatively new. I felt like a bar but was being seated and run more like a restaurant and had no liquor license. We asked out server if they were planning on getting licensed and they told us it would be happening the following week (should be good to go by the date I'm writing this). I think once they can serve beer and wine and get that crowd going this place will do very well. There aren't really any places in that area to go and get some food and drink and a pizza place seems like it'll fit the bill nicely.
As a long time resident in the area I'm glad to see that dead zone getting some life and will definitely go back. They play jazz tunes on their sound system but I'd say they should look into getting some live bands in there. They have the room and that area is filled with local talent. -
Review from Wells S.
Vancouver, BC
4/20/2012 2 Check-ins Here
This is the absolute, best pizza place in Vancouver. Perfect crusts, amazing service and now (finally) a liquor license!
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Review from Garth C.
1/23/2012 2 Check-ins Here
Pizzeria Barbarella, your pizza is so good I want to wear it around my face at all times like a scarf. Seriously, create a pizza scarf and you will create the yummiest fashion accessory for 2012.
I'm really at a loss of words when it comes to writing about this place, it's been about 5 hours since I've been here and it feels like I'm just coming down from a pizza intoxicating bender, the BEST kind of bender.
The dining room is pretty simple - concrete floors, tables and chairs. In the back corner you can see where all the magic takes place.
The menu, also pretty simple. Small one sided card that loosely translates to "It doesn't matter what pizza you get because it's going to blow your mind". We ordered the salsiccia and filetti.
Now I just got of the plane from a week long trip so I was ready with an arsenal of conversation pieces but it didn't matter, once the pizza came out - dead silence. The dough was just perfect, thin slices with a nice chewy puffy crust, exactly what I love in a pizza dough. The toppings were top notch simple and delicious.
At $15 a piece it was an absolute steal to leave that satisfied. -
Review from Kari C.
1/14/2012 ROTD 4/14/2012
I used to have a boyfriend whose parents lived in Abbotsford.
Every now and then, he would visit them, or vice versa, whatever; the important thing was that at the end, I would get to dig into a pizza box full of magic and wonder.
Legend had it that a fellow named Terry was a one-man-pizza-army at a little place in Abbotsford, called Ah-Beetz. Truth be told, I don't know if it was called that because people in Brooklyn or something say they want "a-beetza" with all the toppings, or that the location was in "Ah-Beetz"-ford, which could easily have been a joke.
I heard that Terry was doing it all.
Making the dough.
Making the sausage.
Making the tomato sauce.
Making some of the cheese.
Because he needed to make sure everything was fresh and done right.
I admire that type of food conviction/obsession.
Long story short, the man and I split up, and the saddest thing about it was that I thought that Terry's pizza would never be in my life again. Even when reheated in the oven, it was an object of glory and scornful envy. I was also incredibly fearful that Ah-Beetz would close, seeing as how people in Abbotsford had a greater appreciation for Pizza Hut. Barf!!
Fast forward two years!
Terry sold Ah-Beetz and opened up shop in Vancouver, not far from where I grew up, and named the place after his late mum.
I couldn't resist flying through the doors as soon as possible (at opening time, on day 2), boyfriend in tow. He had never tried napolitan-style pizza before.
They don't have their alcohol or desserts yet (pizza and appies only for the moment), there were some heating problems, and service was friendly but a little clumsy, but it wouldn't be fair to hold this against them at such an early date. I just really wanted you to read about this place NOW, and these things take time. Every new place has to work a few kinks out, so bear with these guys, because it's well worth it. The menu will fill out, the heating will get fixed, and the servers will get better with a little practice. Just be patient, be happy they're here, keep a smile on, don't take your coat off, and repeat in your head, "The pizza WILL be amazing..."
Seriously. This is going to be my go-to take-out place, once they start offering it.
We ordered two pizzas, the margherita, because it's a benchmark, and the salsiccia (fennel sausage and house-made pickled peppers). Delicious, oozy, freshness on thin, bubbly, chewy crusts with a light, smoky, kiss of char. Topped sparsely in comparison to North-American style pies, but not stingily. Piling it on isn't always better, folks.
I tried to be all polite and fork-and-knife it, but a few nibbles in and I was folding entire quarters of the pizza and cramming bites into my mouth. Why even pretend?
It's better that way, too, because in Italy they fold the pizza when eating, and also, the olive oil gets drizzled on the cheese, which is already a little greasy, now you can let it saturate the outer crust edges.
Bliss. The BF loved the pizzas, too. There was no way he couldn't, but if he didn't, I was hell-bent on coming here alone and eating an entire pie myself.
The kitchen is open and it's fun to watch.
Is this how customers feel when they come to my workplaces???
Terry's got some moves. Watch as he picks up dough and turns a ball of it into a beautiful, uniformly thin, elastic sheet. The movement in his wrists and elbows is so natural, as if he's done this all his life.
He came out to say hello to a few tables. I was paying, and walked right up to say hi and thank-you, and even told him that I Facebook and Twitter-stalked his business for a good seven months from the announcement of opening until the dinner. He didn't even flinch, he was just really thankful and happy that people were excited to come in. What a swell guy.
You should eat his food.
Plunk your butt in that seat now, before it's too hard to get a table, and stuff your face with gorgeous, sexy pizzas, the way they were meant to be.
I'm a free woman, reunited with an old flame. Ahhhh!!!!Listed in: Surefires, East Van, Yo!, Werewolf Time, ROTDs
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Review from Quinn O.
Vancouver, BC
1/11/2012
I don't really like being that guy who rushes home the first day something opens to review it, but there's nothing on TV right now.
I have a few friends whose obsession with pizza borders on unreasonable and they used to drive out to Abbotsford just to eat at the guy who runs this place's old joint (Ah-Beetz), so I was anxious to try Barbarella out. It didn't disappoint.
I actually ate dinner earlier in the evening, so I just split a lone pie with a friend who lives in the neighbourhood, but I'm already planning visit number two (on an emptier stomach and with a few more friends, so I can taste a wider variety of offerings).
Neapolitan is the big craze in Vancouver (and, I guess,everywhere else in N. America), but a Neapolitan/New York hybrid is my favourite style of pizza and that's what they're serving here. The crust is still chewy and airy and blistered on the bottom and around the outside, but it's not quite as soft in the middle, so if you fold the slices, you don't have to tear it into smaller pieces or go at it with a knife and fork. And, most of the pizzas have both fresh and dry, aged mozzarella.
Somehow in the last year, Vancouver's gone from slim pickings in the pizza department to damn near overflowing with great pies. I'd need to do some sort of structured comparison to be sure (which I won't, but I'm sure someone with a more refined palate than mine will do that sooner or later), but Barbarella might be the new #1 in what's quickly become a rather crowded field.
They don't have a liquor license yet, but that's apparently coming soon. Also, if you're looking to impress a date or something, the decor is somewhere between non-existent and minimalist, but, honestly, do you really want to date someone who worries more about how nice the room is than how awesome the pizza tastes, anyhow? I hope not. -
Review from mike u.
Vancouver, BC
2/21/2012
The pizza was good. I would not say "amazing." I am familiar with this style of pizza and would say it is entirely average. People on here who are raving about it either are overly excited to see a new place in this dead zone area or have never tried New York style pizza. Pizza like this is dime a dozen in NYC.
We got there an hour before closing, though I don't think that should make a difference. The restaurant was essentially empty. There is a certain "missing vibe." There was very soft jazz playing, perhaps too soft. The decor was kind of plain, not very exciting. The table's while nice, were rickety and probably needed a few pieces of cardboard to stabilize them (in a brand new restaurant?).
I found the server to be slightly aloof. He seemed content on providing the bare minimum, and a strange attitude that I can only sum up as disinterested. The biggest issue is the lack of booze. The waiter explained that they had just applied and were expecting 4-6 weeks to be approved. The restaurant had already been open a month. I'm not sure if they didn't bother applying before opening or if the were refused previously or what, but a restaurant in this area without booze is the kiss of death. I would like to see this place stay open, and "make it" but I have feelings that unless they step it up, it will be a difficult sell. -
Review from Arnold P.
My first 5 star goes to Pizzeria Barbarella. Best pizza I've had in awhile. I enjoyed the ambiance and will definitely be back. Service is also great and I hope this doesn't change.
We had:
salsiccia
tomato, fior di latte, aged mozzarella, fennel sausage, house pickled peppers, basil, parmigiano reggiano and extra virgin olive oil $15
and
amatriciana
tomato, fior di latte, aged mozzarella, house smoked pancetta, red onions, fresh garlic, chili flakes, parmigiano reggiano and extra virgin olive oil $16
Both were excellent and I can't wait to try the other pizzas.Listed in: My Favourites!
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Review from Ben L.
Vancouver, BC
1/20/2012
I have been driving out to Abbotsford to visit Ah Beetz (the chef's previous pizza joint) for as long as I remember.
Very excited to have him in Vancouver now. Had the funghi pizza last night and it was probably the best pizza I've ever had in the Lower Mainland. -
Review from TheHungryNomad E.
2/29/2012
In an essentially dead zone in terms of the night life/dining scene goes, Pizzeria Barbarella has opened its door bringing the neighbourhood authentic Italian Pizza. It seems these wood oven baked pizza shops are popping up all over the place and the competition is tough (competitors including Nicli Antica and Pizzeria Farina).
We entered at 8 pm on a Friday night to a half empty restaurant, the walls were dark with very limited decorations which I found to be depressing. Lit candles at each table with light music in the background. I found it to be a really weird atmosphere. Perhaps its the fact that the restaurant has not yet received its liquor license but it was a really sombre setting.
The pizzas were good but pricey- the same as those found at downtown restaurants but assuming the rent is lower- shouldn't the food be less expensive? Pizzas ranged between 9-20 dollars. We ordered three pizzas: the Funghi, Margherita and the Amatriciana (see menu). The first two were good although I found the margherita lacked the necessary mozzarella cheese to make it really cheesy; however, it was a good solid pizza. The Funghi pizza was the best of the three with a perfect amount of cheese and mushrooms. My pizza (the Amatriciana) was awful to the point that I could only have a slice. It was covered with tomato sauce and onions which pretty much took over every other flavours which were so desperately trying to reach out to my senses and also lacked in cheese. It tasted pretty much of bread and onions. -
Review from Christopher N. W.
Vancouver, BC
3/17/2012 8 Check-ins Here
Apparently Vancouver has decided that it is gonna master every freaking food and cuisine there is. We nailed sushi a good decade ago and tacos and Latin fare are old hand given the number of Taco trucks, stands, windows and what-not. The spectrum is wide but there is much good to be found across the spectrum. So, what was next...
Pizza, of course. We have been selling buck-a-slice to drunken louts, down and outers and stoners of all sorts for years. I remember skipping school and heading down the the Vancouver Art Gallery steps to score a dime-bag with my friends and then head over to the dark cavernous interior of Love at First Bite Pizza on Granville. 93 cents for a slice. With GST a loonie got us a warm flaccid doughy slice that sat heavy in your belly as we shopped for used Nirvana and Nine Inch Nails CD's at Charlies next door. Ah memories, hazy hazy memories.
Anyhow, for years now there has been relatively no real selection of authentic Roman or Neapolitan style pizza-pies here in Vancouver. Places like Martinis make a great pie, and fuck I buy Megabite or Panago still when I'm too hungover to get off the couch, but that mass produced fast food takes a back seat to quality ingredients sitting on a lovingly hand formed and wood fired crust. So it was that Tyrelasaurus - my roomie and partner in all manner of crimes and misdemeanors found ourselves hankering for a nice slice one evening.
Enter Pizzeria Barbarella (and Nicli and Farina.... reviews to follow).
We decided to pick up, especially given that the spartan interior appears to have those cafeteria/institutional style chairs set up at their tables and my couch is more comfortable, plus I bet they don't have Netflix whereas we do. Tyrelasaurus made the call to order our unpronounceable pies. We had decided on the:
Salsiccia which has upon it tomato sauce, fior di latte (in other words, cows milk mozzarella), aged mozzarella, fennel sausage, house pickled peppers, basil, parmigiano reggiano and extra virgin olive oil. It weighed in at 15 dollars.
As well we ordered the Amatriciana, containing tomato sauce, fior di latte again, aged mozzarella, house smoked pancetta - fuck yeah, red onions, fresh garlic, chili flakes, parmigiano reggiano and extra virgin olive oil. This one is 16 dollars.
10 minutes later Tyrell headed over to pick up our nosh. He arrived home quickly and the pizzas were still hot. We opened the simple boxes with no all-over-gaudy-printing and advertising. The elegance of the pies alone was astonishing. They aren't large - about 10 inches across and cut into 4 - but this isn't your 'Three for One' extra large fucking gross frat boy special to smash before you go date rape some cheerleaders in the back of a pickup. This is fucking real food. Before I took a bite I knew I was in for a treat. Not the most beautiful food in the first place they aren't selling art. It's dough with shit on it right? The dough though looked amazing. Very flat where the toppings lay with a bubbly fat crust rising out and away from the edge of the toppings. I tried the Salsiccia first. Heaven. The pull of the dough as I bit through was crispy then a bit chewy, quite pleasant. The ingredients justified the price and size immediately. The sausage was amazing and there was enough in every bite to notice it. The cheese was decent. I'm not a huge mozzarella connoisseur or anything (Who is though?) but it didn't blow me away. Melty, sparse, but still good. The peppers had some tangy fire and the Parmesan definitely was unique as I have never had parm on a pizza before unless it was that garbage shaken out of a tall plastic cylinder. So far... very good.
I ate the first slices quick as I was hungry but realizing I only had 2 slices of each pizza I slowed down and really began to savour the dough and the ingredients. Amatriciana was next. At first bite it was very similar to the Salsiccia in taste and texture until the chili flakes hit and the saltiness of the pancetta crept in. Divine. Again with the cheese. But now I was torn. I had one of each left. I was gonna go back to the Salsiccia and so was Tyrell... but then we both ate another slice of the Amatriciana, saving the delicious fennel sausage laden piece for the finale that our palates would be presented with.
Now, this probably is not the best pizza in the world. Actually, I can guarantee it's not, but it's like the first time your friend took you to a sushi place that didn't suck and you had a piece of astonishingly fresh tuna belly on a small mound of rice instead of 4 shitty, heavy, 90% gawdawful rice rolls for 8$ with a miso soup and you like, saw God because you didn't realize you had been doing it wrong the whole freaking time. This was like that. An awakening.
Check it out. Grab a pie and enjoy the hell out of it. -
Review from Jason R.
Vancouver, BC
1/21/2012
This is the home of the best pizza in Vancouver.
The toppings are perfectly curated, the crust is chewy and properly blistered. Its just so good!
Better then the other trendy places that have opened in the past year. -
Review from Walter L.
Vancouver, BC
1/12/2012 2 photos
When the restaurant sign went up, I looked at the online reviews for the previous location that they've owned "Ah-Beetz Pizzeria" which came with lots of raving reviews so I had to call upon my friends to join me on to this venture to check out this new Pizzeria joint hidden away in Mount Pleasant Neighbourhood of East Van. A group of 6 of us went down last nite and enjoyed the most Delicious Gourmet, Fire Roasting Pizza ever and from what we understand its an NY/Naples hybrid pizza creations. Its hard to find an pizza artistzan who takes pride and love into his food and develop such flavours on to an 12" platter.
The ambience and decor are extremely cozy with an modern twist especially with the custom built table tops, bar, and pizza table front from the 100yr old reclaimed douglas fir wood of the beautiful heritage building Pantages Theatre.
The next visit that I make is to try out the pizza's with the home-made sausages and smoked pancetta. Let the Cravings Begin!! -
Review from Melissa K.
Vancouver, BC
1/29/2012
FREE PARKING! And the pizzas were amazing. The menu is simple with only a few signature items which I thought was great; personal preference. When the menus are too big, I have issues making decisions. We had a bigger group so we got to try almost all the pizzas. I read about this restaurant and the chef for a long time and was looking forward to visit. The pizza dough was fantastic and quite authentic. The ingredients were fresh and simple. The Bianco Rosa had pistachios on it which I thought was unique; it tasted great. The funghi was good, a little on the salty side. Their desserts were tasty, we were told they make them fresh in house everyday. They're going to start having wine in about 3 weeks. I like how the room is big with a lot of seating. Will definitely return. One of the best places for authentic Italian pizzas in the city...along with Bibo on 4th.
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Review from Brent M.
Vancouver, BC
3/9/2012
It's really good, and it's 2 blocks form my place. Bonus.
I really don't care how it stacks up against the best New York City has to offer. I've been there, I've had the pizza there. Yeah it's sometimes better than Barbarella, but what am I going to do, board an 8 hour flight to get a slice?
Anybody who says it's pricey must be comparing it to street pizza. 2 of us had plenty of food and a drink that wasn't water and our total bill was $19. I don't think I've eaten anywhere in the last 6 months where the 2 of us got out with less than a $20 bill. -
Review from Felicity D.
Vancouver, BC
Updated - 4/19/2012
apparently they've now gotten their liquor license. can't wait to see their wine list!
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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3/3/2012
finally managed to order pick up from here. it was good, a bit greasy, but yummy. we had the… Read more »
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Review from Angel S.
Vancouver, BC
1/17/2012
Still suffering growing pains, I guess. The restaurant was chilly even though there were two fireplaces. We ordered the antipasto and the Amatriciana pizza which came pronto. The antipasto was great; we were offered as much fresh bread as we wanted. The pizza was good, though I found a salami string in my piece. I was dismayed that they didn't offer a discount right away; I had to ask for one. I will be back though, since it's the best thing to happen to this neighborhood in a long time!
