Piaci Pub & Pizzeria
For some of the best pizza on the Mendocino Coast
Such a tasty pizza…
“This is perfect.” We stepped by the crowded communal tables just inside the door of Piaci Pub & Pizzeria up in Fort Bragg, grinning at the boisterous afternoon energy of the place. We managed to snag a table tucked up against the wall right by the bar, with the chair on one end sort of disappearing down the narrow hall that led to the back door. We didn’t mind though – in this tiny hole-in-the-wall kind of joint, any open seat is a good one.
A quiet moment at the bar.
The bartender slash waiter slash busser slash do it all kind of guy came over with lunch menus, the calm smile on his face seeming to say he was thoroughly enjoying the clamor and hustle. He took our drink orders, brought us all waters, and patiently chuckled at us when we couldn’t decide what we wanted to eat. “No worries,” he said, “take your time, I can come back – it’s a tough decision!” And it was indeed a tough decision… Did we want the Genoa with pesto, spinach, caramelized onions, mushrooms, Parmesan, and mozzarella? Did we want the gourmet Gustoso with pesto, Chevre, pear, and prosciutto? Maybe we should just go classic and easy and get the Margherita?
(If this agonized decision making is sounding familiar, yes, we had a similar problem last week when we went to Cowlicks. We can’t help it! There are just too many delicious things to be had here on the Mendocino coast!)
We finally settled on the Nonno, which listed such drool-worthy toppings as crispy prosciutto, shaved parmesan, mozzarella, arugula, and farm fresh egg. When it arrived in all its steaming, savory glory, all conversation ceased except for discussions over who got the piece with the most prosciutto. Oh. My. Goodness. It was amazing. The thin crust gave just enough tasty backbone to the pie without taking completely over and detracting from the toppings’ shining moment. The mozzarella was melty and made those little cheese strings that dangle from the edge of each uplifted slice – you know, those ooey gooey bits we all dream of when we imagine the perfect piece of pizza. The arugula, the parmesan, the prosciutto… mmmm! And that egg though! Wow. It had been lightly scrambled and soft cooked onto the pizza in the final few moments of passage through the wood fired oven, giving a whole ‘nother level of creamy lushness to each bite.
We demolished that thing. Then as we sipped down the last bit of our beers, we silently bickered over who got the final crumbs of parmesan and other tasty tidbits left on the dish. There was no way we were wasting even a morsel of that deliciousness.
Don’t miss this little gem tucked off of Main Street and Redwood in Fort Bragg.
Piaci is one of the most popular pizza spots on the Mendocino coast. With its amazing pizza, great craft beer selection, friendly folks, and low-key vibe, it’s definitely a favorite hang out for pretty much all the locals. We love recommending it to everyone that’s in the mood for a true Mendo experience. Sit at the bar or the communal tables to chat with the old timers as they swap tall tales and tease each other mercilessly. Or get yours to go and enjoy it picnic-style out by the ocean.
For another great pizza stop, try Café Beaujolais in Mendocino.
Words and pictures by Laura Hockett