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Review: Bollo Woodfired Pizza for Happy Hour

Jun 9, 2015 | Restaurant review

Review: Bollo Woodfired Pizza, Houston, TX

Bollo Woodfired Pizza
2202A West Alabama
Houston TX 77098
713.677.0391

When this place popped up close to my house and I found out they had gluten-free pizza crust, I knew it was my next stop. They opened the first week of May — a little later than expected, apparently due to their Italian-made oven taking two months to arrive. I’m not well-versed in pizza ovens, but I can tell you from tasting its creation, it was worth the wait.

We were the first guests to arrive for Thursday happy hour a little before 5:00 pm, so there were plenty of seating options in the bar area (cocktail tables that seat two, a huge wooden family table with cushiony stools, or the bar top). Their wine-by-the-glass list is short but they have several well-priced bottles to choose from. We ordered the Rossini cocktail and a glass of the house red, Astica Cabernet, which is pleasantly bold for a house wine. We oogled the menu of small and large bites wanting to try everything before the main course, the pizza.

I routinely judge restaurants on their hummus, and Bollo’s is flavored with basil. It was a game changer. How I have never had basil hummus is beyond me. I may start putting basil in my hummus at home. I sampled the pita, which ended up not being too tempting, so I was happy with our added veggies (carrots and celery @ $2).

Bollo Houston - Basil HummusBollo Houston - Grilled Spicy Italian SausageBollo Houston - Local Kale and Garbanzo

Bollo Houston - Pizza

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We then ordered the Grilled Spicy Italian Sausage with shaved Parmesan and marinara. It was a decent sized link for a “small plate,” and it’s so good you’ll want to get your own. The marinara was fresh and the sausage had just the right amount of kick.

Next was the warm Local Kale and Garbanzo sauteed in olive oil and roasted garlic and topped with shaved Parmesan. The kale was cooked but not too wilted and the roasted garlic was strong but not overpowering. It was our new favorite.

With so many pizza options, we finally decided on the “build your own” pizza, starting with the Bollo Classico on a gluten-free crust and adding mushrooms and chicken. It came as most wood fired pizzas do, super crispy on the edges, which I love. And as most gluten-free pizzas come, this one was pretty soft towards the center leaving us to eat eat carefully with two hands (or a fork). The flavors of the fresh sauce, thick and melted mozzarella, and the Italian-spiced grilled chicken with the crispy crust were so good together, I didn’t mind that the slices were floppy. My mouth is seriously watering typing this.

They’re dessert menu is slim. (Maybe they could use my help?) But word has it that the (local) Italian maker of the authentic gelato they serve had to come in a taste-test the pizza before she’d work with them. Obviously, it passed her test.

My impression of their menu improved with each plate. By the time we left at 7:00 pm, the bar area was full and the dining room was lively. As more people start to hear about this place, I imagine the happy hour crowd will get the idea and show up on time. I’d highly recommend coming for pizza, but starting with everything else. During their happy hours (in the bar area) you can order their pizza of the day and bottle of wine (or pitcher of Karbach) for $19! I’ll definitely be back for that, like, tomorrow.

Monday 5:00-10:00
Sunday – Wednesday 11:00-10:00
Thursday – Saturday 11:00-11:00
Happy hour 4:00-7:00
Reverse happy hour 9:00-close

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