If you’re in Amsterdam and craving a taste of Italy, look no further than The Pizza Vagabond. This charming, small restaurant, with only a few tables, offers a cozy atmosphere perfect for enjoying a meal with friends or a quiet dinner date. Despite its size, The Pizza Vagabond boasts a robust menu featuring a variety of starters and pizzas.
Starters: A Mixed Bag of Flavors
Our culinary journey at The Pizza Vagabond began with a few tempting appetizers. We couldn’t resist trying their award-winning burrata. While it didn’t quite match the burst of flavor we’ve experienced with burrata in Italy, it was still a delicious dish. Accompanied by fresh bread and tasty asparagus, the combination made up for the slight lack of flavor in the burrata itself.
Another standout appetizer was the “Provola alla Pizzaiola,” the house specialty. This dish consists of oven-baked provola from Agerola on a bed of homemade tomato sauce with a topping of fresh figs. The fresh ingredients really shined, creating a dish bursting with delicious flavors. Freshly baked bread was also served with this appetizer, perfect for soaking up the rich tomato sauce.
Pizza: Fresh Ingredients with a Twist
When it came to the pizzas, we chose the “Prosciutto” and the “Salsiccia & Peperoni.” The pizza dough was excellent, with a good balance of crispness and chewiness that is the hallmark of a good pizza. The fresh ingredients were also a highlight, although we noticed the flavors were a bit more subdued compared to pizzas we’ve eaten in Italy. Perhaps it was a specific ingredient or spice that was missing, but it wasn’t quite the flavor explosion we had hoped for.
To make our pizzas even more delicious, we ordered a fresh tomato sauce and hot oil for on the crust, which was a nice addition. These extra spices brought some more depth, spice and, of course, flavor to the pizza.
Dessert: A Sweet Finale
For dessert, we treated ourselves to an affogato, which turned out to be the best we’ve had in a long time. Made with salted caramel ice cream from our favorite local ice cream store, Miuz, and a perfectly brewed espresso, it was the ideal ending to our meal. The espresso was smooth and not sour, and complemented the rich, creamy ice cream beautifully.
Service: Attentive and Efficient
The service at The Pizza Vagabond was commendable. Despite being busy with a steady stream of takeout orders and dinner guests, the staff remained attentive and efficient. Our orders came quickly and the house red wine we sampled was very tasty.
One slight problem was the doggy bag offered that we were given for our leftovers. Although they offered doggy bags to other guests and brought them to their tables when they left, we did not get ours when we left. Admittedly, we forgot to ask for them ourselves when we left. Nevertheless, this mistake did not detract much from our overall positive experience, and forgetting something is, of course, human.
Final Thoughts
The Pizza Vagabond is a delightful addition to Amsterdam’s dining scene. While there were a few instances where we felt the flavors could be a bit more robust, the fresh ingredients and cozy atmosphere more than made up for it. Whether you’re in the mood for a delicious pizza, a flavorful starter, or a sweet dessert, The Pizza Vagabond offers a satisfying and enjoyable meal. For those seeking an authentic Italian experience in the heart of Amsterdam, this little gem is definitely worth a visit.
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Review: 8.2/10
Price / Quality: 8 | Service: 8 | Atmosphere: 7.5 | Originality: 8 | Freshness: 10 | Choice: 8
