I'm struggling really hard to write this review because our experience was so bittersweet! I'd say it's a 3.5 right now but honestly the sky is the limit for potential. First things first, look these guys know how to cook and they can make some really good dishes BUT their craft still needs to be fine tuned... it's like a lot of raw talent with a lack of direction.
Some of their items are ridiculously delicious while others completely miss the mark in an attempt to create something trendy/hip. Unfortunately you're really left at the mercy of their menu which seems to change often...a lot of their specials that you see on social media or this site won't be there, they go pretty quick.
They're still new so again they can only go up but honestly I hope they find their bread and butter for what to serve. Anything they make with red sauce is worth trying however we didn't see a lot on the menu tonight with red sauce. I love the creativity behind their pies but it would be really interesting to see their executions on some classics.
My wife and I went for dinner tonight and had one slice of the Sausage with Ricotta an easy 4/5 very robust with a good balance, one slice of Maple Bacon Cheddar which sounds amazing in theory but honestly didn't blend well a forgettable 3/5 with the cheddar overpowering the rest of the ingredients, one shrimp kebab probably the best thing we ate 5/5 lots of flavors & great texture, one meatball kebab second best item 4.5/5 something so simple but crafted so perfectly but finally came the disappointment...the heart breaking disappointment, one whole Ben's Mushroom Pizza that was unequivocally not what we hoped for... a whimpering 2/5.
I get it, sometimes part of pushing the envelope and doing something creative means going to extremes but for me the mushroom pizza was way too dry and salty. The extra globs of cheese pushed it over the edge as well and had me wanting to down a gallon of water to wash it out. I really wanted to love it because I love mushrooms, mushrooms on pizza , mushrooms in pasta, mushrooms with Asian food, mushrooms in soup, anything mushroom! But even with my soft heart for fungi it was so hard to eat compared to the rest of the dishes we had. I'm not sure if the sauce was dried up or if that's just the design of the pizza...but I just wouldn't/couldn't order this or recommend it.
I could write on and on but I'll try to wrap it up, honestly these guys are a great addition to the area with great potential but they need to hone their craft more. Maybe I'll love it more as I try other parts of their menu but so far it's been up and down. I want to love it because they can get certain items so right but unfortunately I just can't overlook our first experience filled with let downs.
If the owner is reading this my wishes are...
1) Focus on that sauce! Whenever you guys do these sauces (especially the reds) they're to die for. I understand not every pizza needs it, I can appreciate a good white pizza but seriously don't be afraid to sauce it up! Pizza is supposed to be easy to eat and comforting not dry and forceful.
2) Expand your menu! It's clear to any pleb that you can cook so add some more nuances or special rotations. It's already interesting seeing a pizza shop doing kebabs but with your skills I would love to try a pasta dish or something of that nature maybe only as a daily special so you don't lose the roots of the restaurant.
3) Have some form of scheduling or ability to find what the specials are, it sucked not being able to try the prosciutto pizza. Also didn't see any BLT or Kung Pao either. I want to know which pizza represents who the chefs at Dragon really are, what's your style, what're your favorite ingredients?
Overall just go try it, it's obvious they are great cooks and there's a certain crowd that loves anything they put out but again, for me, I am left wanting more...my review is tough but it's because they're so good that I know they can do even better. read more