Old Scuola Rotterdam

At home, we are a pizza bunch - but not every pizza does it for us. What we look for is lovely dough, good ingredients and, of course, a nice place to eat. I learned years ago that one of the only ways to find good pizza is to ask an Italian, and some time ago, somebody came home excited about a discovery: an acquaintance, born in Naples, said that this place had the best pizza in Rotterdam.

With this mouthful of a promise, we sat down outside on a lovely afternoon prepared to be amazed and yes, we were. While sipping a marvelous Spritz, we enjoyed a marvelous plate of entrees that were perfectly matched with yes, probably the best pizza in town.

I find it interesting how they insist on letting you know that you are eating something different - a kind of pizza that doesn't look and or taste like the American interpretation on it. "It's not burned... just toasted", the servers in their old-school clothes warn when is your first time. For me, the crispiness of the crust is pure joy.

They also have a lovely wine and, when the weather is nice, sitting outside is pure and simple glory. Go wander around the neighborhood and the building: in the park across the street you will find one of the largest family of urban rabbits that I have seen in the city and in the other corner you will have all your shopping desires satisfied at Gross.