showcase magazine | fall 2012
cuisine
dining guide | showcase picks
pizzeria la gitana 518 Capitol Way S, Olympia 360.753.2929 309 E Yelm Ave, Yelm 360.400.2929 pizzerialagitana.com For Pizzeria La Gitana, serving the perfect pizza has less to do with carryout coupons and more to do with passion. “Pizza is an art. Our crust, cheese, sauce, toppings and taste are all part of what makes us authentic Italian,” said pizzeria owner Carlos Morist. “We have something very good here.” Morist and co-owner Francesco Chiechi opened Pizzeria La Gitana in downtown Olympia last year. The restaurant has a comfortable, open feel with high ceilings and exposed brick walls that showcase vivid contemporary paintings in a stylish, Mediterranean flair. The space offers big rustic wood tables, pull-out chairs and lots of elbow room for pizza lovers of all ages to dig right in. Large groups can be accommodated easily for family-style dining. The homemade pizzas are baked in a wood-fired oven using apple, cherry or pear wood to accentuate the delicate taste of the thin crust scratch-made from imported Italian flour (gluten-free crust is available!). Lightly sauced with extra virgin olive oil and tangy tomato sauce, the pies are further topped
with authentic ingredients such as organic fresh vegetables, imported olives, pepperoni, prosciutto San Daniele, and imported Parmesan and mozzarella cheeses. The most popular combinations are Alexa’s Choice (sausage, mozzarella, fresh tomato, fresh basil), the 4 Stagioni (mozzarella, ham, mushrooms, artichokes, sausage), and the prosciutto arugula—thinly sliced prosciutto heaped with fresh arugula. The tender, herbaceous greens give the pizza a bright, peppery flavor and add texture to every bite. La Gitana is also a great lunch spot to talk shop with colleagues over the hearty La Gitana salad bursting with fresh greens, artichoke hearts, olives, mushrooms, tomatoes and Parmesan. Or make the restaurant a dessert destination. Romance your sweetheart over frothy cappuccinos and tiramisu. Shortbread ladyfingers are soaked in espresso and smothered in a dreamy, creamy heaping of mascarpone and sweet chocolate shavings that will leave you with a love for all things La Gitana. TAMMY ROBACKER 21