An Ode to Heirloom Tomatoes (& Other Seasonal Specials)

“On the table, at the midpoint of summer,

the tomato, star of earth,

recurrent and fertile star,

displays its convolutions, its canals,

its remarkable amplitude and abundance,

no pit, no husk, no leaves or thorns,

the tomato offers its gift of fiery color and cool completeness.”

- Pablo Neruda, from “Ode to Tomatoes”

There’s a certain smell when unfettered sunlight hits a fresh heirloom tomato, its variegated flesh misshapen with dimples and folds. Pick one, warm from the sun. Bite into it and its tender flesh bursts with that robust blend of acid and natural sweetness. These summer treats bear little resemblance to their hybrid supermarket cousins designed to weather the bumps and bruises of long-haul transport — at the expense of flavor and nutrients. What heirlooms lack in uniform color and shape, they more than make up for in unrivaled flavor. From peppery Brandywines to bi-colored Gold Medals, each heirloom presents a unique taste, unlike the uniformly red round tomatoes offered year-round at the supermarket. They’re the essence of summer, the prized crop for most gardeners, and celebrated by chefs during their fleeting season. Our ode is our Summer Heirloom pizza. We layer slices of the prized tomatoes with fresh basil over mozzarella and our seasoned tomato sauce and top the pie with a dash of sea salt.

With all these delicious tomatoes on hand, we also had to bring back the Heirloom Caprese Salad. We've elevated this classic, colorful Italian salad with ripe, juicy and aromatic heirloom tomatoes AND fresh burrata. Burrata is a new staple at Pagliacci and we can't get enough of it! We top the salad with fresh basil, a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and a sprinkle of sea salt.

Our other seasonal was originally designed as a one-time mash up between Pagliacci and Lil Woody’s, but the collaboration resulted in a pizza so popular we rolled it into our seasonal offerings. Our Lil Woody’s Primo is a riff on the popular Seattle burger chain’s delicious bacon cheeseburger. The indulgent burger-like pizza starts with our classic pizza dough, a base layer of mozzarella, Royal Ranch ground beef, and these classic burger toppings: bacon, onions, cheddar, pickles, tomatoes and Lil Woody’s fry sauce.

Every visitor to Italy carries the magic of those alluring gelaterias in their heart. The sight of those multi-hued cases, brimming with vibrant gelatos — it's a memory as delightful as an evening stroll through the historic streets of Florence or Rome, as you leisurely spoon a favorite scoop or two. One thing we love about Gelatiamo is the way a taste of its gelato can whisk us back to that memory. Their Orange Lemon Gelato, a delightful blend of zesty and creamy, might just earn a spot in your pantheon of favorites. It begins with fresh lemon juice infused with local cream, creating a lemon gelato base that's that marries bright flavor with indulgent creaminess. Swirled into this velvety base, you'll discover bits of candied orange peel steeped in a concentrated orange juice reduction and bursting with sweetness. Each invigorating spoonful is a celebration of freshness and finesse.