My standards for gluten-free pizza have been elevated to almost unreal level, which has made me cautious to try new pizza places. I no longer am okay with a thin, brittle crust topped with minimal toppings, so I entered the experience halfway expecting to be disappointed. Without spoiling the review too much, I definitely had a tasty culinary adventure at Birroteca that left me wanting more.
Birroteca marks their menu (click here) to indicate gluten-free and vegan options, but you'll need to inquire with your waiter to check for other allergens or dietary restrictions. Gluten-free pizza and pasta is available to modify dishes, but there's no vegan cheese to substitute to make items dairy-free. The order is flagged as an allergy order so that the kitchen can make sure to minimize cross contamination. For those who are alcohol-inclined, Birroteca has ciders and mead on tap as alternative to gluten-laden offerings (see those here).
The waiter serving my mom and I was super friendly and knowledgeable about how each dish was prepared. He recommended that we start with Birroteca's signature brussels sprouts, and we couldn't resist the tasty-sounding dish. We decided to split the appetizer while debating what pizza to order.
The brussels sprouts are fried to a crispy, crunchy perfection. They proved unquestionably that these vegetables are not to be dismissed as mushy and unappetizing. They were served atop a garlic aioli, which our waiter explained was made with roasted, fragrant, garlic that is handled with care to ensure robust garlicky flavor. Coppa, a thinly sliced pork salami topped the dish, but I did not try it as I am not a red meat fan.
For a pizza, my mom and I decided upon the prosciutto pizza, which comes topped with said meat, cherry tomatoes, and a abundant blend of arugula and fennel. Of course with my dairy-restrictions we had to order the pizza sans cheese, but the flavor of the sauce and toppings more than made up for the missing dairy. The pizza is a good 12 inches- perfect for sharing.
The crust is chewy towards the center and crunchy towards the outer crust and was definitely among the better ones I have tasted. It was able to withstand the weight of toppings, and wasn't crumbly, soggy, or cardboard-tasting. The greens atop it were flavorful and fresh and the sauce was robust and tomatoey. Again, I did not try to prosciutto because I am not a huge meat eater, but my mom said it was really good.
As pizza eating experiences go, I really liked Birroteca. The atmosphere was hip and authentic, and our waiter really bolstered our experience by being both gluten-knowledgeable but also enthusiastic about the food to guide our ordering and eating experience.
The pizza was really, really good but I think the brussels sprouts totally stole the show for me. With two outstanding dishes, I know I'll be back at Birroteca soon to eat around their menu at bit more to see what other culinary creations they serve up.
The Basics
Address: 1520 Clipper Rd, Baltimore, MD 21211
Website: www.bmorebirroteca.com
Cuisine: Italian
Ideal For: Dinner
Price: See prices on menu: click here Gluten-free pizza is a $3 uncharge.
Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible
Special Features: Sign up for their email list to get specials sent right to your inbox
Address: 1520 Clipper Rd, Baltimore, MD 21211
Website: www.bmorebirroteca.com
Price: See prices on menu: click here Gluten-free pizza is a $3 uncharge.
Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible
Special Features: Sign up for their email list to get specials sent right to your inbox
Special Features: Sign up for their email list to get specials sent right to your inbox
Disclaimer: This review is based upon the information I have at the time of the review and does not reflect changes in ingredients or availability of items. Please contact the restaurant directly for up-to-date information and feel free to contact me with any questions or comments. I was not compensated for this review and it is a reflection of my personal opinion.
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