Pizzas make the best home meals. They are convenient to order, easy to share among family members, even easier to wolf down straight from the box, and come with enough flavours to satisfy even the most picky of kids. Plus, the leftovers can be kept and reheated for the next day! Instead of ordering from your usual go-to joints, why not be adventurous and pick up some of the more intriguing ones from these pizza specialists, just so you can hold an extra special pizza party at home, on any stay-in day of the week.
Little Caesars Pizza
We are always partial to brands with a mascot, and Little Caesars Pizza’s one of a toga-wearing pizza-muncher does bring on some cheer, and major hunger pangs. Named after the nickname of one of its founders, this 62-year-old American pizza chain is the third largest in the US. While it isn’t quite as huge in SG (it currently has 6 outlets), Little Caesars Pizza is quite popular among the teens and young adults for its affordable prices and all American-flavoured yumminess.
Pizzas to please: First things, first: FYI, the cheese used is 100% mozzarella and muenster, the dough is made in-house every day, and the sauce is made from vine-ripened California crushed tomatoes. Okay, now that you know, time to choose from its smallish, frills-free menu. Newbies can do no wrong with the Slices-N-Stix that is half pepperoni (cut into 4 slices) and half Italian Cheese Stix (sliced into 8) that’s served with a salsa-ish Crazy Sauce. Or, have it all with its 12-inch Ultimate Supreme that comes with the works (green peppers, pepperoni, Italian sausages, mushrooms and onions). Especially ravenous? You can make it a stuffed crust if you must.
Little Caesars Pizza, multiple locations, sg.littlecaesars.com/en-sg; www.facebook.com/LittleCaesarsSingapore
BONUS: SAFRA members receive 10% off total bill with $20 minimum spend (in-store and online) and $5 first purchase (online only). Click here for more information.
PizzaExpress
One disgruntled gentleman, Peter Boizot, was so unhappy with the pizzas he found in London, that he shipped over an authentic pizza oven from Naples, broke down a wall to install it, and thus, founded PizzaExpress. Well, lucky that he decided to take matters into his own hands in 1965, ’cos now we have three PizzaExpress outlets in central locations on our little isle, all dishing out fab pizzas true to (as the company states in its brand story) “Peter’s spirit, vision and passion for good food and good times”.
Pizzas to please: Off its current menu, some of the more interesting and flavourful ones are Laksa (prawns, mussels, squid, clams, fried beancurd and quail eggs with homemade laksa sauce) and Carbonara (farmer-style smoked bacon, Parmesan and garlic oil on a creamy béchamel base, topped with a slow-cooked egg). But, it is the newest three on its newly launched “Around The World” menu that you need to try now. The Hamburger Pizza is its take on the classic USA-style cheeseburger, with passata and mozzarella cheese, minced beef, pancetta, sliced gherkins, Spanish red onion, cherry tomatoes and romaine lettuce all baked onto the dough, and mustard mayo and cheddar cheese sauce drizzled on top. The Chilli Beef Pizza brings to mind Mexican burritos, with ingredients such as chilli con carne, passata and mozzarella cheese, jalapeno, grilled peppers and kidney beans, and is garnished with cilantro and crushed nacho chips for the finish. And, for its Japan-inspired Okonomiyaki Pizza, expect to find cooked ham, tiger prawns, squid rings, seaweed, bonito flakes, takoyaki sauce and Japanese mayo. Order them along with any of its classic Italian selections and it will be as though you are eating around the world, via pizza!
PizzaExpress, multiple locations, www.pizzaexpress.sg; www.facebook.com/PizzaExpressSG; www.instagram.com/pizzaexpresssg
AXSolute Bistro
Those who have been to SAFRA Toa Payoh, would know of this little secret haunt. Those who don’t, well, time to get acquainted. While not a bona-fide pizzeria, it is a bistro that serves up hearty Italian fusion food that won’t break the bank (but possibly your diet plan), such as pan fried rib eye steak, chicken cutlet with cheese fries, seafood aglio olio and, but of course, delish pizza.
Pizzas to please: The ones here are all familiar faves that SG foodies won’t have problems chowing down on. Whether you choose the Hawaiian, Super Seafood, Magarita, Veggie, Pepperoni, Cheezy, Mushroom or Char Grill Chicken (they all come with melted double cheese), make sure to order the 12-inch that’s more than suitable for two, for your date night dine-ins.
AXSolute Bistro, 293 Lorong 6 Toa Payoh, SAFRA Toa Payoh (inside SuperBowl), #03-03, 319387, www.facebook.com/AxsoluteBistro; www.instagram.com/axsolutebistro
BONUS: SAFRA members receive 25% off total bill and 40% off finger food items. All visitors can get to enjoy the PizzaX Promotion (for takeaway orders). Click here and here for more information.
Sarpino’s
You probably know of Sarpino’s – it has been around on our isle for two decades and is supposedly SG’s 3rd largest pizza restaurant group. What you might not know: It was first founded by Gerry Koutougos in Canada in 2001, and its Worldwide HQ is actually now located in SG. Which means this international pizzeria is a golden oldie, one that definitely deserves a revisit for some nostalgic comfort food during these turbulent times.
Pizzas to please: While of all of its pizzas seemingly come with Italian mozzarella cheese, skip the usual flavours and try these instead. From its Classic Pizza range, the Teriyaki Chicken is Japanese-Italian fusion fare with oregano chicken, olive oil and white onions brought together with home-made teriyaki sauce; while the Kalamata Delight comes peppered with black olives, fresh tomatoes and dried basil leaves. Meat-lovers, its Speciality Pizza, Butcher, is your “must-chomp”, what with its beef salami and lean ground beef toppings. Not beefy enough? Then the Midnight Express Gourmet Pizza should make you submit – it comes with spicy minced beef, beef sausages, beef salami and beef pepperoni, made hotter with some red chilli and jalepeno peppers. Alert, all you nightbirds: There’s a late night delivery option at only three outlets, of which the one at SAFRA Tampines is one!
Sarpino’s, multiple locations, sarpinos.com/sg; www.facebook.com/SarpinosPizzaSg
BONUS: Visitors to Sarpino’s at SAFRA Tampines can get to enjoy a personal pan pizza deal. Click here for more information.
