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| - Pizza Brutta may not be the most well-known pizza place in Madison, but it should be. Serving the epitome of authentic Neapolitan pizza, the pizzaiolo (pizza chef) at Brutta handcrafts pies that combine moist house-made mozzarella cheese, hearty tomato sauce, and hand-stretched dough into beautifully charred masterpieces. Paired with fresh and flavorful toppings, these pies are not to be missed.
Two friends an I split two pizzas and a salad, which was a perfect amount of food for dinner. We ordered one pizza from the "Pizza Rosso" menu (pizza with crushed tomato sauce) and one "Pizza Bianco," a style that forgoes the sauce in favor of a generous drizzle of olive oil. Both were delectable.
Our first pizza, Salami e Funghi, combined the bold flavors of salami, crimini mushrooms, and kalamata olives with fresh mozzarella and crushed tomato sauce. The salty meat and olives perfectly complement the slightly sweet sauce and creamy cheese, with the mushrooms adding a smoky earthiness. The crisp, flavorful crust held these ingredients together beautifully, and was also delicious when eaten by itself.
The Prosciutto and Arugula was more subdued, yet equally impressive. The stars of this pizza were the prosciutto, sliced razor-thin and layered generously across the pie, and fresh mozzarella, a familiar favorite by now. Olive oil, rosemary, and red onion provided a more subtle sweetness than tomato sauce, but were a nice balance to the bold and complex flavor of the prosciutto. A pile of fresh arugula and freshly grated parmesan provided a hearty finish. And again, the crust shined in its own right.
Along with our pizzas, we also enjoyed a wonderfully composed caprese salad. Thick slices of mozzarella were paired with roasted local tomatoes, a hearty crusty bread, and a generous drizzle of olive oil. Refreshingly simple and quite delicious, the salad was a wonderful addition to our meal.
Pizza Brutta not only offers artfully crafted pizzas made with world-class ingredients, but does so with reasonable prices and exceptionally fast service. A well-deserved 5 stars.
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