Sweet Basil Neapolitan Style Pizzeria

Well Sweet Basil in Westlake sure made me feel stupid today.  They have been in business for over 2 years, and 5 minutes away from my house but I never got around to try them in all that time.  I notice them every time I drive down Canterbury Road and the Center Ridge intersection. They are going on speed dial first and foremost and will become one of my top pizza destinations in the area.  I know this place does a great business because during peak times the place is packed.  I am Still shaking my head as to why it took me so long to register that in my head that they make a good pie.  

Today was one of those weird and wonderful days that just sort of worked out where my wife and I got out a little early from work.  Why I thought Sweet Basil, you got me.  The voice of reason perhaps telling me to try something new and the pile of dishes in the sink I just didn't want to get around to were a huge help.  The place was quiet, well the place was dead but it was like 3 in the afternoon.  The dining area is spotless, everything looks clean.  The Owner, Dan Joyce, came over to take our order and we were finished out by Kathleen who many folks will remember from Danny Boys in River because she was there for years.  Dan is proud of his restaurant, you can tell.  He helped out us first timers by suggesting getting a half and half pizza. The one half was The Queen Margarite and the other half a more traditional sausage and pepperoni pie.  We also split a house salad.  One is big enough for two people easily and the house dressing is phenomenal.  He also showed us how to drink our Shocktop Ales we ordered.  I never knew there was a trick to them.  It is a beer with instructions on the bottle.  Hey figure it out yourself this is about the pizza.

The pizza took about 15-20 minutes to cook.  The craftsmanship of this pizza itself was a thing of beauty.  Dan was tossing the dough the old style way.  This is no easy task, when I try it at home(1) it never works (2) I get holes in it, rip it, and get really pissed off.  Dan on the other hand makes it look easy.  So when you order a pizza here know it is being made fresh.  I think fresh is the whole key in this entire review.  Everything is made fresh.  The sauce, the dough, the salad dressing all fresh and homemade.  The pizza is thin crust.  It's that New York style that everyone pretends they can make but never quite pull it off.  Sweet Basil pulls it off perfectly.  

The crust is still a little chewy with just the right amount of crisp to it.  So many times you order a thin crust around here and it's like a cracker.  That is fine and all but it's not true Neapolitan style crust.  This is the pizza you see the Guidos eating in the mafia movies.  You can't fold it all the way over until you get a few bites in.  The slices are huge. The pizza is huge as a matter of fact and an 18 inch will cost you around $15.  The toppings are generous as well with thick cut pepperoni and thinly shaved real Italian sausage.  There is this incredible balance of flavors they are able to pull off by using fresh ingredients and real Romano and Mozzarella cheese.  You can taste different flavors in each bite.  Fresh tomatoes, garlic, basil obviously but also the fennel in the sausage and the Mozzarella they use has an incredible flavor.  

We got to talk a bit to the Chef who brings it all together.  The guys name is Justin and he has a true passion for what he is creating.  He seems to be a very creative and talented guy.  They do some great sounding sandwiches for lunch along with the basic pizza menu.  There are no deep fryers, poppers, chicken fingers or ranch dipping sauce here and there really shouldn't be.  There is no reason when you do pizza as well as they do.  I can see this guy having a Melt-esque following down the road because the Owners really seem to give him freedom to make some unique items.  It is a great thing to see local businesses like this doing well in these tough times.  It is also frustrating to know there are people that still go to Domino's, Pappa Johns, and Pizza Hut when something this good and as reasonably priced is in our own backyard.  If you want cheap pizza made from canned ingredients stick with the chains.  If you want a unique and authentic Neapolitan style pizza you really need to check this place out.