Pizzeria Review/ Giovannis Pizzeria Cotati

every once in a while I run into a pizzeria that is good, nice interior design, makes you actually think of Italy, lighting is good not too light not too dark

So I walk in about 8 on a Saturday night and the place is dead!!!! no one there except John and Frank both guys on ther computer and I come in and give em a hard time like I have known them for years (I thought they were going to kick me out) but they didn't and I chatted them up, nice guys

so I ordered a Pizza Medium pepperoni and Mushroom, then told them I was going over to the bar next door for a drink, went to pay and they said not worries pay when you get back

Had a couple drinks and went back for my pizza, another couple had come in (either family or just good customers) and they had there three young kids with them, cute kids and they were having fun----now you may be saying to yourself how boring, get to the point, what was the food like? and I would say shut up its my blog and I will get to the point when I want to any way it was really nice to see a couple of young guys running there pizzeria and interacting with the customers like they were family, this kind of information is really important if you want to find a great little place to enjoy a pie

there are quite a few pizzerias in the area: caprara's in Penngrove, Joe and Julie are great, unfortunately the pizza is average, although they have a new store its not that inviting and they always seem like they are in a rush, great people though Joe and Julie! a new place in Petaluma close by is Rafy's in the orchard supply, in order to have an ego you better be DAMN GOOD sorry Rafy your corn meal crust is less than average and no matter how much you skimp on your toppings your still closing in 6 months, nothing has made it in that spot and your place does on have what it takes

ok so back to Giovannis and yes now for the, my pizza was cooked great! the crust was tasty and had a nice fold to it when I ate it, the sauce flavor was also balanced well, too many places use a lot oregano and salt overpowering the other toppings. when I taste a pizza I am looking for a good crust that is crispy, stands well yet has a defined gum line and good rise (this comes from the proper hydration and that there is still life in the yeast when its put in the oven) they use whole milk mozz and ya knwo EVERYONE SHOULD but they don't so this was a big plus for me, the whole milk mozz has a clean buttery taste with a little hint of salt, then the pepperoni, it was really good, did not shrink up and produce a bunch of oil (like Marys does) so it is a good quality, and the mushrooms were chopped and they did not put too many mushrooms on teh pizza so as too make the pizza soggy.

I really liked the place, for all the reasons I mentioned I will be back again, good guys nice place and quality pizza, go take a taste for your self I know you will like it I definitely did

Giovannis Pizzeria
8270 Old Redwood Highway
Cotati, CA 94931-5243
(707) 664-8460

If you have a place you want me to check out let me know, if you do not read about it that means I thought is was CRAP!!!! :)

Chef Glenn