Category: Casual Eats

Whether you’re looking to enjoy a quick bite to eat at the bar or sitting down to relax without the fanfare associated with white linen and fancy wine menus, Casual Eats takes a look at all of the food that can be enjoyed when you’re able to sit back and unwind.

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The Margherita Pizza

The Margherita Pizza from La Scala on Shrewsbury Street in Worcester, MA

The Margherita Pizza from La Scala on Shrewsbury Street in Worcester, MA

Once again, we find our Foodie’s group gathering on Shrewsbury Street, but do not think this is a bad thing; I love the abundance of culinary opportunities to explore on this street. La Scala is a quaint, small and inviting Italian restaurant with an inviting area for al fresco dining or perhaps just enjoying some delicious libations.

For our meal, we were split between two booths in the corner area of La Scala which allowed for some lively conversation between our two groups—we always have a great time at our monthly night out. I know you will be stunned to read what I ordered….. yes – a pizza. I think I should start signing these reviews “Pizza Girl” rather than my initials. Anyway, I digress. The Margherita – Fresh buffalo mozzarella, plum tomato and basil – AND grilled! Aside from brick oven, a grilled pizza is very high up on my “must eat” list.

The pizza was the perfect size for one (well technically probably two, but you know how I roll by now) it looked so delicious. The crust was thin, crisp, and tasty, although, there could have been a bit more basil (just a personal preference). The amount of cheese and tomatoes were just right. Unfortunately, the pizza was slightly over cooked. I would try La Scala and the pizza again, it was apparent to me that had it not been a bit over cooked it would have been excellent; they just missed the mark this time around. The other meals at the table looked amazing, some seafood, some pesto pasta dishes, all very large portions, and smelled fantastic. Overall, La Scala is worth checking out. -LB (AKA Pizza Girl)

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Pistachio Pizza

Pistachio Pizza from Volturno Pizza on Shrewsbury Street in Worcester, MA

At the end of my dinner, I had an interesting conversation with the owner of Volturno, Worcester’s newest Italian/pizza restaurant.  He readily acknowledges that Volturno is not for everyone.  If you are looking for a Hawaiian or Meat Lover’s pizza, he noted, you might as well drive past Volturno.  There are many other pizza joints in Worcester that have exactly what you’re looking for.  If, however, you are looking for a foodies experience, you need to sample the pizza at this wonderful addition to the Worcester scene.  The architecture melds a 1930’s Buick showroom with a contemporary, European vibe, making Volturno both casual and cosmopolitan.   More impressively, Volturno does with its food what it has done with its atmosphere – bringing sophistication to the once humble pizza pie.  Baked in wood-fired ovens, the thin crust is spot-on perfect.  Distinctive toppings combine flavors and textures to delight the senses.  The pistachio pizza ($16), for example, combines pistachio pesto, crumbles of sweet Italian sausage, mozzarella and percorino cheeses.  Layers of complementary flavors dance around the mouth, the sweet sausage giving way to the nutty pesto.  Smoked mozzarella and paper-thin lemon slices alternate precedence when eating the lemone pizza ($14), the zesty lemon cleaning your palette with each bite. Each pizza generously feeds a single diner.  My recommendation, however, is to order multiple pizzas for the table and sample them all.  Each pizza features a unique combination of flavors, and each deserves to be tried.  If you are like me, your favorite will shift depending on which you happen to be eating at a given moment.  And, if you are like me, you might never be satisfied with a pedestrian Hawaiian or meat lover’s pizza again. -JD