Pizzeria Prima Strada

Authentic Thin Crust Pizza

Pizzeria Prima Strada specializes in Neapolitan style pizza, that is, a thin crust pizza cooked in a wood fire oven with Italian tomatoes and buffalo mozzarella (a delectably creamy soft mozza hailing from Fairburn farm right here on Vancouver Island).  Ever since the Cook street location opened its doors, there has been a steady stream of customers lining up for their slice of the pie, the pizza pie that is.

The menu at Prima Strada is elegant

and concise, authentic to the cuisine of Italy

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Don’t be daunted by the line-ups. Food arrives lightning fast and the wait for a table is rarely more than half an hour.  You can always take a seat at the bar, order a glass of Sangiovese and bask in the heavenly aromas wafting from the kitchen. If the bar is full enhance your appetite with a stroll through Cook Street Village or a walk few blocks south to Beacon Hill park. When your table is ready the restaurant will send you a text. If you really cannot bear the thought of waiting, order your pie to go.

Polpette a la Forno

The menu at Prima Strada is elegant and concise, authentic to the cuisine of Italy.  The focus is on unfussy food made with premium ingredients.  Antipasti include selections of cheese, salumi and house bread. You can order a simple mixed salad with berry vinaigrette or an arugula salad with coppa (a delicious salumi heady with aromatic spices and herbs), lemon, Parmigiano and crostini.  We cannot resist the polpette a la forno – meatballs with marinara sauce and a little shaved parm.  We use a large spoon to slurp up every last bit of the scrumptious sauce.

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The real stars of the show at Prima Strada are the pizzas themselves.  We love the rucola E crudo, which is topped with tomato, Parmigiano, mozzarella, silky prosciutto di Parma and a tangle of fresh arugula.  Rich but worth every calorie is the funghi pizza with porcini cream, roasted mushrooms, roasted onions, fresh thyme, mozzarella and pecorino.  After your pizza feast, kick back with an espresso, a glass of amaretto and some house made gelato (the lemon and chocolate are to die for).  Buon Appetito!

 MONTY’S PICKS:  Meatballs with shaved Parmesan, salad with tuna, chickpeas, saffron vinaigrette, pizza margherita, pizza funghi, house made gelato