Straight from the wood-fire

At the end of a seemingly endless day at work, what anyone craves is comfort food. For some that may come in the form of home-cooked dal rice, while others gorge on chocolate. We went for pizza instead. The Playlist Pizzeria is not just your run-of-the-mill pizza parlour though. It was one of the first places in the city to introduce thin-crust, wood-oven pizzas. And it’s not just the food that sets this place apart from others.

As we step in, we hear unfamiliar but melodious notes drifting from the speakers. We are told that the pizzeria’s owners are both popular Mumbai-based DJs who are looking to promote local talent; so they play singles by indie artistes in the restaurant. We peruse the menu while jazz gives way to 12 bar blues in the background.

We decide to get some Playlist’s Signature Garlic Bread (Rs 175) to munch on first. What we are served with is nothing like the run-of-the-mill loaves of bread with garlic carelessly sprinkled on top. Thin, round, with an almost pizza-like consistency, the garlic bread is delightfully cheesy with the perfect hint of garlic and herbs. As we nibble, we peruse the menu for the main attraction of the evening-pizzas.

Named after songs, the menu items follow the music-based theme of the restaurant. We decide to take a chance with the Cheerleader (Rs 400) with its jalapeno and olive toppings. While the crunch of olives and the spicy bite of jalapenos is definitely a plus, it is the burst of mozzarella cheese and homemade tomato sauce that really hits the palate. The pizza bread itself is also the perfect thickness and consistency. Encouraged, we decide to be a bit more experimental and try out Californication (Rs 550). Although we are a bit sceptical at first about spinach and arugula as toppings, our doubts are put to rest when we actually try out the pizza. Having had our fill of the vegetarian options, we try out some of the meatier varieties. Though quite delicious with its jalapeno and bacon topping, the Drop the Game (Rs 575) fades into the background when we are served with Satisfaction (Rs 715). The name says it all for this pizza that comes loaded with perfectly cooked strips of ham, bacon and salami on a bed of melted, stringy cheese.

We decide to go finish up our meal with some Pizza Cookie (Rs 200) for dessert. While a delight to look at, this pizza-sized chocolate-chip and sugar cookie with scoops of ice cream on top tastes a little overwhelming after the first few bites. Still, when we leave, it is the memory of the delectable pizzas that we take with us, along with the names of a few new indie artistes to look up on Youtube.

Rating:3.5/5 Price for 2: Rs 1,200 Address: The Playlist Pizzeria, Shop 1, Gloria Apartments, St. Baptist Road, Near Mt. Mary Steps,Reclamation, Bandra (W)