Fuori Roma...

People always say 'when in Rome' to excuse indulgence in guilty pleasures. Well, I'm not in freaking Rome, and though I wish I was there right now, or in Italy in general (I miss it dearly) there's little I can do. I haven't had much for pizza since being back stateside for the last few months but tonight I decided to indulge in a bachelor dinner and order me up a fatty pie from the local Pizza Luce. With jalapenos, mushrooms, sausage, and red onions, it was thick with grease, and the style was different from the Neapolitan pizza I so favored while 'near Rome,' but I pigged out in all my glory. Beverage accompaniment was tough. I'm all for wine and pizza, especially a lighter California Merlot (Alexander Valley Vineyards makes a HOTT merlot these days) or an acidic Chianti to complement tomato sauce. Needless to say, I wasn't about to open a bottle of wine on my own tonight (though I would likely finish it solo anyway). I chose some beer tonight that I've never tried before (not knowing I would be having pizza), but it worked out alright. Le Merle Saison from North Coast Brewery in Fort Bragg CA tried its hardest to pair with my greasy spicy pizza (and the sriracha/ranch dipping sauce I concocted on the side). I've never actually tried a saison before. The sour and slightly sweet palate of the Belgian styled 'farmer's beer' bothered me at first and has yet to win me over, but I'm confident after trying a number of different styles from different producers will bring me into line. Since it was a new experience I hate to hate on the beer, but I'd have much rather preferred an American Lager or something more familiarly pleasing. Pizza and beer is still my pairing of choice, though for those of us looking to please a date, wine might be more in order (though personally I think a pizza and beer night in is as good as it gets). TGIF!