pizza party

so i realize that this is probably the first restaurant review that i have done here... and it's not even a real restaurant (yet?)

it is pizza, among other things, happening on thursday nights in take the cake's space. i am having a hard time pinpointing what created such a special atmosphere/sensation/experience.. i haven't been able to spend much time in take the cake, as they are closed on my days off- but the space is very special and it was very conducive to making pizza night very fun, unique and genuine..

boys- you have earned yourselves a very high rating with me.. i have been looking for a food and surroundings experience like this for about 6 months. not often you find it in this city- but the last time i felt it was at slims in february. totally satisfied with the simplicity and perfection of the food. awaiting the next bite while sitting in a stimulating space. and somehow there seemed to be a lack of pretention and scene from the other pizza eaters. which makes for a wonderful combination that is hard to maintain- glad i caught it last night and i will make wishes that it continues on..

the pizza-

CRUST: the crust is fantastic. thin with a more dense outer edge, strong enough to hold the toppings but not too crusty. not one bite was too floury or salty or yeasty. each bite tasted almost velvety in richness but light enough to keep it coming.. definitely left me wanting more. i think there is crack in it.

TOPPINGS: the toppings were everything i would have wanted them to be. authentic and simple and just as balanced as the crust. there was one with tomato sauce, fresh mozz, and basil leaves with parm shaved on top. there was one with figs, prosciutto and an arugula mess on top. there was one with tomato sauce, sausage and smoked mozz. i got to have BOQUERONES!!! in cincinnati!!! on a pizza and i can't even remember what else was on it, but thank you thank you thank you for getting those on there. and at the end i got to taste a special white truffle pizza.. maybe because i was one of the last to leave! yumyumyum.

DRINKS: it is BYO, and i didn't plan very far ahead.. but there was a very refreshing ginger mint lemonade..

i think most people know that i compare every food experience to the jimgermanbar.. and i must say that this night of pizza felt most like those nights than any other that i have had in cincinnati. the food was great, special and rare, but made simple and approachable by the preparers.. no fuss. no scene. a meandering sort of feeling around the eating part.. food coming, more food coming later- trying out different bites of different things. the nicest way to eat. and i know that someone has struck gold when i lay awake after a meal just thinking about the food, thinking about the parts that are perfect, thinking about ways to do it different, thinking about what i will make today after being so stimulated.

and since this is the first review i have done, i guess i need to figure a rating scale- 10 points for a tavola mangi!