pizza antica

I was back in the 408 tonight. Doubting Thomas decided to test my opinion of Pizza Antica and invited me along. To up the pressure, he brought Grandpa Hansel, the toughest pizza critic we know. When it comes to pizza, Hansel hates everything not made in New York.

The doubters were doubting when, after ordering a bottle of David Bruce Pinot our waitress inquired if we wanted sodas too, but everything was smooth sailing from there. We started with an “appetizer pizza,” a concept invented by my friend Joy. Then we had Caesar salads and, properly prepared, progressed to our entrée pizzas.

Pizza Antica cooks traditional flatbread pizza in two large brick ovens. The pizza comes small and large, but we always get small as they have a better ratio of toppings to crust. Hansel had the Sweet Red Pepper, Kalamata Olive and Roasted Fennel. Tom ordered the Grilled Radicchio, Local Goat Cheese, Pancetta and Pesto (pictured). And I, longing for the prosciutto and fig pizza offered only during fig season, created my own Pear and Prosciutto.

The results were delicious as they always are! Crispy, salty, sweet and savory. Even Hansel had a smile on his face after the meal and Doubting Thomas no longer doubts. When you go, and you must, I recommend two small pizzas and one split salad for two people. They have bread too, but you will have to ask for it.

To make sure we had the full Santana Row experience, after Pizza Antica we walked over to the swanky Vbar in the Hotel Valencia. The Vbar is unique. Parked outside were two Ferraris, a Bentley and a race-prepped GT3R. Parked inside were lots of sleazy guys and some scared women. The interior is beautiful, and they have some nice Scotches, but unless you want to meet an older rich guy or a younger less attractive women, bring your own date. Or, do as the women across from us did, bring two dates and grope them both on one of their comfortable couches.

Pizza Antica: 334 Santana Row, San Jose, CA (408) 557-8373
Vbar: 355 Santana Row, San Jose, CA (408) 551-0010