A promising pizzeria
Authentic Italian cooking, a substantial wine collection and lovely ambiance combine to make a stand-out dining experience.
PHOTO | FILE
What you need to know:
- As expected with pizza from the Naples region of Campania, Italy, the outer crust was swollen and charred in some places from being in the infernal heat of the oven (from whence the restaurant gets its name).
- The base was soft and well-cooked and the white sauce with caramelised onion was absolutely to die for.
The Java House name is known for consistently delivering affordable, quality food services. But there is another little known, high-end brand under the Java House umbrella which has been providing Nairobi residents with premium Neapolitan pizzas since they first opened their doors in 2013. 360 Degrees Pizza is a classic Naples style pizzeria combining traditional and contemporary pizza making methods to cater to a clientele of both hard-core enthusiasts and the average Joe.
The ABC Place branch along Waiyaki Way, where a friend and I stopped for a late dinner recently, encapsulates you in warm vibes upon crossing the threshold into the dining area. The maître d’ was eloquent and gave a brief overview of the menu before leading us to an isolated table close to the grand wood-fired oven at the end of the floor.
Amber hues and soft lighting enhanced the wooden flooring, presenting an aura of homeliness that is rare in eateries across the city. American diner-style bench seats line one wall while the other has booths and in between them are simple wooden tables.
There is also an outdoor sitting area which didn’t have a single soul in sight; an indicator that Nairobi’s winter has hit in earnest.
Seeing that they had an impressive (in size) wine rack, I requested the drinks menu and after giving it a cursory glance, decided on a bottle of the Catena Chardonnay as I have always had a greater knowledge of Argentine wines over Italian ones. Traditional Neapolitan pizza is usually personal pizza, never wider than 12 inches, so I insisted we each get our own. In solidarity with my Moslem friend, I abandoned all of the pepperoni or prosciutto based offerings and chose the more modest onion and mushroom with goat cheese pizza.
As expected with pizza from the Naples region of Campania, Italy, the outer crust was swollen and charred in some places from being in the infernal heat of the oven (from whence the restaurant gets its name). The base was soft and well-cooked and the white sauce with caramelised onion was absolutely to die for. I could hardly taste the mushroom for the all the cheesy flavour but I really did not mind and devoured my pizza greedily leaving only a few bits where the outer crust felt a bit too doughy for me.
360 Degrees Pizza is something to watch out for. With another branch already open at Rosslyn Riviera along Limuru Road, I suspect the enterprise will soon grow into yet another household name as did the sister company before it.
