So, the basics – Neapolitan pizza (the type served in Mozza and Paesano) is often considered the true original pizza. It’s hand kneaded and cooked at high temperatures in a wood-fired pizza oven for no longer than 90 seconds and the finished product has a soft airy dough you can tear, unlike the thin and crispy or deep pan bases of elsewhere. In order to be truly Neapolitan, the pizza topping must be made with either San Marzano or Roma tomatoes from Campania. On its own, this isn’t enough to make it real, Mozzarella di Bufala Campana must be used as well.
The Mozza menu states that their tomato sauce uses San Marzano tomatoes, mozzarella from Naples and olive oil and flour from Italy as well. So far so authentic! Anyway, enough of the theory! There are 13 options on the menu from the traditional Neapolitan tomato sauce with mozzarella, basil and olive oil to the indulgent mix of mozzarella, Gorgonzola, Parma ham, fig & balsamic ham, rocket and crushed walnuts.
If you’d like something a little bit more adventurous, pick Number 13 off the menu. Unlucky for some or not as it’s a surprise from the chef and not something normally on the menu. When our choices arrive the dough is soft, charred and chewy, with just enough of a base to hold the ingredients together and a crust spongy enough to wipe up excess olive oil. Fresh toppings with intense flavour make these pizzas worthwhile making a trip for. We were smitten!
As well as pizza there are sides of salad with the creamiest burrata cheese we’ve tasted. For the curious, there is also friarielli broccoli. Preserved Italian broccoli lightly fried in olive oil. It is served cold so it’s a bit of an acquired taste. Desserts are also available if you have room. I think we’ve made it to dessert once on our numerous visits! The Birramisu is worth a mention – tiramisu in a beer glass. Maybe one to share on a date night?
Until we can afford a proper pizza oven or a villa in Naples, we’ll keep visiting Mozza for our pizza fix!
You can find Mozza at the following locations across Scotland:
Aberdeen, Union Square
Dundee, 13 Whitehall St
Glasgow, 39 Enfield Street
St. Andrews, 39 Bell Street
