Doppio Zero has the potential to be a very good pizzeria, but unfortunately for me, the first lunch visit was a completely different and weird experience compared to the others who gave 4 to 5 stars. Did I walk into an alternate reality version of the restaurant?
I'm a pretty patient and understanding type of person, so it is interesting to just sit down and observe how things work around here.
Let this be a checklist of things that hopefully DZ management and ownership will improve upon and take immediate attention to....while it may be forgiveable for some, there are those who potentially won't tolerate such a small yet frequent series of mis-steps and lack of attention to details, thus they add up. The next person who experiences such mis steps might not be so forgiving....and heaven forbid if you encounter a Real HouseWife of Hillsborough, Palo Alto, or Los Altos, and incur their indignant wrath.
And hopefully this doesn't happen to everyone.
After being seated, another party of two came after me. The person who took my order, should he have some good memory, would remember that I was seated first (at least 5 mins before the other party) and should have taken my order first. Instead the other party's order was taken first, then mine. This resulted in the other party's food arriving before mine, and I had to wait another 10 mins for my order (granted they didn't order a salad, like I did, but really timing it shouldn't be so hard).
A basket of 3 buns/bread was placed on the table, but no butter or olive oil/balsamic vinegar. As I was hungry I munched on one, then the other. Then later, a different server/busboy comes by and pours both balsamic vinegar and olive oil on a plate. Again, timing is everything. Suggestion: put both on the table for the customer, or if you REALLY want to enhance the experience, create a unique house dip of EVOO, crushed Italian Parsley, garlic etc. Don't dwell into the past of Pasta?, make changes for the better.
Napoletana Salad - $7. The menu description said this was butter lettuce. Sorry but look at the picture....please tell me with a straight face that is indeed butter lettuce, or at least some distant cousin of it. Tasted more like the lettuce used in most Caesar salads, not the lush green buttery textured kind in its natural form. Please don't use the word "butter lettuce" to describe plain lettuce with a dressing that supposedly creams it up. :-(. This needs a complete re-do...especially when it looks and tastes like something that others can make at home with little effort.
Pizza Margherita - this is the classic pizza of Naples. At $12 this is cheaper than Napoletana Pizzeria, but I'm sad to say I would rather go back to NP over DZ, the entire execution was just not there. First of all, why are there only 2 small pieces of basil?? There should be at least one piece per slice. The mozzarella ended up being a bit too dry (although some complain NP's cheese is too watery, it actually gives the pizza a more intense flavor). Even the tomato paste (whether from a can or not) is severely lacking in that sweet and tart depth here (whereas NP uses canned San Marzano tomatoes, nails it). The crust? It's ok...didn't feel it was as ethereal as the others did. But the entire pizza just seemed like it was missing something. NP's pizza, although VPN certified, is done in such a way that the entire pie flows extremely well....each bite has a very welcoming texture and flow of flavors, from the umami of the cheese, the flavor from the moisture stemming from the tomato/cheese that creates a "soggy center" that some hate, but I feel enhances the experience, the sweet and tartness of the canned San Marzano tomatoes, and of course a good EVOO brush along with a perfect bubbly crust. But DP's pizza just doesn't come close enough for my liking.
I would have wanted to try a seafood pizza next time, or even custom request all clams if they could pull it off....but now I'm not so sure, at least not right away.
After the pizza was delivered, one of the employees dropped by and asked me if I had my salad already. Not kidding. I politely said, "yes I got it". Did I just take the plate and swallow the entire thing like a Purple Minion in one fell swoop without them knowing? No.
Would have wanted to try an espresso to end the meal (and a jolt to wake up again). But with an experience like that, I'm glad I decided to skip it.
Other pizzerias and restaurants get all of that right.
Right now, not feelin' this place, and not tasting any passion and soul. Not seeing anything being done that sets them apart from the others, at least not yet.
I really hope DZ does something and fixes these things. I may consider returning much later. read more