By Alex White
Executive Opinion Editor
Manhattan Beach has aquired a new addition to its trendy restaraunts. Downtown’s new establishment, Pitfire Pizza, lives up to the expectation of quality food, and while its service is questionable, it’s definitely fixable.
Pitfire Pizza opened on the corner of Manhattan Beach Boulevard and Morningside in January 2013 and is the latest addition to the restaurant chain whose goal is to provide good food while keeping cooking times to a minimum, offering both take-out and sit-down dining options. Customers order at the counter, take a number and wait to be served.
Pitfire’s extensive menu, packed with delicious items, delivers fully. Serving Americanized versions of Italian food, the menu features paninis, pastas, salads and most importantly, pizzas.
The pizzas range from the basic Margherita to the “Sausage Party,” which features five different kinds of quality meats.
The pastas and paninis also measure up to the standards set by the pizza. Pitfire Pizza functions much like a trendier, more upscale version of California Pizza Kitchen, boasting better food and a more varied menu.
The Baked Mac & Cheese, topped with a thick crust of bread crumbs and five cheeses, creates a blend of flavors that wows the palate. Also, the Crispy Pork Belly Panini features caramelized braised pork, a good decision that works excellently with the chibatta bread and its flavorful sauce. Dishes like these, in combination with excellent preparation and quick service, make Pitfire great.
However, as is the case with many recently opened restaurants, there are several kinks to work out with service. While food is prepared quickly, the patron can see that bringing the food from the open kitchen to the table may take a lengthy amount of time. Because ordering happens before seating, getting simple things like water are also difficult.
The ambiance of Pitfire is very modern and trendy, fitting in with many of the other establishments in downtown Manhattan Beach. The decor is based on the current industrial look, similar to that seen at Chipotle Mexican Grill.
All in all, Pitfire Pizza is an excellent addition to the Manhattan Beach restaurant scene. There is plenty of room for improvement when it comes to service, but, with time, that will work itself out. Pitfire will likely become a mainstay in downtown Manhattan Beach for years to come because of its quality food, moderate prices, and welcoming atmosphere.
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