Mama mia! The pizzas are bellissimo

14 August 2013 - 09:05 By YOLISA MKELE
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My idea of Italian food is pizza. Every time I go to an Italian restaurant, I get grumpy with the endless pages of Italian-named dishes with no English translation that aren't pizza. I realise this is a narrow-minded culinary world view, but pizza makes my life simpler.

86 Public feels my pain and has made an effort to cater for people like me, who just want a good pizza.

Located at 87 Juta Street in Braamfontein, Joburg, the pizzeria looks as trendy as the area in which it is situated. The interior is minimalist, with straight lines and simple table settings. Even the menu is minimalist. One double-sided page, lined with pizzas featuring a variety of ingredient combinations, from traditional Reginas to more exotic couplings. Vegetarians will be happy with the variety on offer.

The owners have gone for the option of doing one thing extremely well. Their pizzas are fantastic. They are not drenched in processed cheese with crusts as thick as the Berlin Wall. The atmosphere is conducive to hipster conversations and good times.

Unfortunately, it is let down by the non-pizza options. The wine list is a choice between house red and house white, and there are few beer options.

If you want great pizza, 86 Public is as good as you are going to get without hiring a real Italian to cook it for you.

86 Public is open from noon to 10pm Monday to Saturday. It's also open on Sundays for lunch. Call 061-157-1823 for booking and more information.

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