Restaurant Review: Pizza Nea

It's been quite some time since Claire Schafer and I tried out a new restaurant in the St. Anthony Main area where we both resign. Our latest choice was Pizza Nea. It's located on East Hennepin Avenue right across the street from Surdyk's. How convenient!

Date: February 9th, 2011
Time in: 5:30pm
Time out: 6:30pm

We got there just in time for Happy Hour. Half off wines and tap beers. There were only two tap beers to choose from, so I went with the Surly. Claire opted for some Prosecco. It's hard for me to turn down beer when I'm having pizza.

Appetizer: Bruschetta
Bruschetta is one of those appetizers that has very basic ingredients yet is made differently no matter where you go. I found the bruschetta at Pizza Nea to be very tomato heavy. The heaping pile of diced tomatoes sat on top of the mozzerella and covered the the entire piece of bread. I thought it was too much tomato, but Claire had no problems with the ratio of tomato to everything else on it. There were six pieces which was just perfect to split between the two of us.









Claire's pizza: Caprino e Treccione
Ingredients: goat cheese, artichokes, smoked mozzerella, sun-dried tomatoes














Paul's pizza: Salsicce
Ingredients: Spicy Italian sausage, roasted red pepper, cracked red pepper, fresh mozzarella, San Marzano tomatoes, and basil














Ambiance: Pizza Nea has a small dining area. Luckily there were only four other parties there, so it didn't seem loud or crowded. The pizza is made similar to the styles of Punch Pizza or Black Sheep Pizza. There was also quiet, peaceful background music as well.

Interesting fact: They have various red pizzas and white pizzas to choose from. Both of ours were from the "red pizzas" side of the menu. All pizzas can be made into calzones as well.

Overall: We both felt it was a great place to unwind and have a good dinner and catch-up. There wasn't the feeling of a busy, crowded, rushed atmosphere like some other trendier places have. Our waiter was very friendly and gave us various recommendations as it was our first time. I would definitely go back.

Rating: 4 out of 5