A Quick Trip To Italy

I spent my junior year of college studying art history in Florence, Italy, and along with falling in love with everything Florence has to offer (including the boys!) I became a pizza snob.  It’s true, I am a pizza snob. My favorite place in Florence was a little spot across the Arno where we'd sit at long, communal tables, drink wine (which was especially exciting because we were still only 20), meet the locals (boys!) and eat amazing pizza fresh out of a 700-degree oven. Bliss. Ooozy, melting cheese, crisp hot crust, flavorful prosciutto, salame, figs, dates, basil and real buffalo mozzarella. Seriously, too amazing to describe.  

Fast forward to me living on a gorgeous island in the middle of Puget Sound (it's a long story...).  This place is its own kind of bliss but it’s even better now that we have authentic Italian-style pizza! Enter Bruciato. Boasting the extreme talent of local celebrity chef Brendan McGill, Bruciato is not your average pizza place. First of all, the interior is gorgeous: long, communal tables where you can meet the locals, a bar for those who prefer not to comingle with the kiddies, and private spots for when you're trying to impress a date.

While the interior is stunning, Chef Brendan keeps his focus acutely on the menu which is short but perfect: stunning cocktails, divine antipasti, decadent desserts and, of course, pizza! Topped with seasonal ingredients of the finest quality and boasting that perfect, crisp, Italian crust, you will be challenged to choose one or two. And those little black burned bubbles on your crust?  Don't send it back, that’s on purpose! Bruciato actually means burnt or scorched – and it refers to the “flame-blackened blisters” that speckle the crust of authentic Neopolitan pizza.  It might not be the pizza joint you remember from your childhood but, hey, if you grew up in Florence, it might be after all.  Buon appetito!

The sublime interior of Bruciato. Take a look at that ceiling!  If you've been around for awhile, you'll remember this space as the old hardware store. While I still miss the hardware store, I am healing...

The Stefano Ferrara oven which was made in Naples, Italy, is such a beauty. I love the mosaic tile finish.

Hot, hot, hot and the only way to make authentic Neapolitan pizza.

The 21+ bar has counter seating as well as some high tables, perfect for a date! I promise the drinks list (linked below) will make you very happy.

No matter where you end up seated, head to the back of the restaurant to watch the pizza fly!

OK, are you ready to order?  Be sure to start with a cocktail (they also have beer & wine) and I really encourage you to try the Sicilian Sunset: tequila, solerno blood orange liqueur, aperol, lime. Highly recommend.

You gents might prefer the stouter Black Manhattan: bourbon, cardamaro amaro, orange bitters

Definitely start with an antipasti or two - the pizza is amazing but you don't want to miss this. Beets & Burrata: hand-stretched and oozing cream filled mozzarella, with marinated beets, pistachio, lemon & olive oil

Spagnola Pizza: tomoato sauce, chorizo, olive oil, poached potatoes, drunken goat cheese, and parsley. Different, yes. Delicious? Absolutely!

Your pizza will be served uncut and with scissors which is super entertaining for my kids.  Do you see the bruciato?

You will be tempted to order every pizza on the menu and I strongly encourage you to order more than you can eat. It's worth it just to get one of the saucy to-go boxes Chef Brendan imported from Italy.  

I hope you saved room for dessert! Tartufo Affogato: choclate ice cream & hazelnut "truffle" arrives with a little shot of espresso that you get to pour on top.

As the say in Italy, Salute!  I hope you love Bruciato as much as I do.

If you've never been to Bainbridge Island please get thee on a ferry and come over and try this place. I stood in literally freezing weather in Portland for an hour (with my children!) to eat an amazing truffle pizza that I will never forget.  All you have to do is get on a ferry - they are heated - and walk 3 blocks to check out Bruciato.  Childs play.  Now you have no excuse.  See you on the island!

As of this writing, Bruciato is open for dinner starting at 4pm, Tuesday - Saturday.  They close at 10pm during the week and stay open later on the weekend.  No reservations (unless you are a party of 8+) but they can get you seated pretty quickly.  Check out their sample menu but know that it changes according to seasonal ingredients.  Also take a peek at their drink list - now I know we'll see you on the island soon. Mangiamo!

Bruciato
236 Winslow Way East
Bainbridge Island, WA 98110
206.201.3462