Pizza By The Bay

Critic´s Review

• Food: 2.5 / 5
• Service: 2.5 / 5
• Decor: 3.5 / 5

-By Rashmi Uday Singh

Pizzeria
"When one small door shuts, a big one opens" is my most favorite quote from the Bible. While this is true of most everything, does this hold true for the shutting of Marine Drive's "Not just jazz by the bay" and opening of "Pizza by the bay" in it's place? Not really. The new arrival disappoints with it's inconsistency in both food and service. But once again the "big door opens" and my vivacious, articulate "pizza-lover" guests more than make up for a lousy meal. "Pizzas make us happy and content" says bubblicious, bright Myrra Arya voicing the opinion of all her gal pals. The charming sisters Kalindi and Dvita Kapadia, the ever-friendly Ishita Ahuja eat their way through the pizzas and pastas, while my most gallant, cuddly and only male guest Ishaan Puri delights us with his one liners (he calls me "My baby"). Also with us are two lovely ladies, Myrras mom, architect Sonica Arya and Ishaan's mom Reshma Puri. We have a fabulous, fun afternoon.

Our Verdict
Pizza by the bay is afflicted by an inconsistency that's disappointing A month ago, I'd gone alone and all the three crusts (thin, stuffed and thick) of pizza passed muster (the pepperoni Don Corleone All American and vegetarian Supremo). But obviously the pizzas aren't dependable from one visit to the next. Our thin crust Margarita with parmesan was too greasy, the "upside down pizza" was a mess in a conical naan like crust. As was the "quad" pizza with it's quarters of four different mushy, red toppings. Even the desserts were too gelatinous or too sweet. Four dishes came out tops the cheese stuffed cheesy pizza done with the right crunch and softness, the al dente aglio olio pasta and the crusty bread with garlic butter parsley. As also the flavorsome with Indian spices, thin crust "Bombay Masala", and the plain cheese pizza. Sonica Arya enjoyed the Soup salad lunch (Rs 574 ) "Its surely VFM" she said "32 salad options but could do with more exotic ones, good soup, lousy desserts" Regarding the service: please note: you could wind up with a crimp in your neck from all your craning, twisting and swiveling to call for a waiters attention. And this even when the pizzeria was not crowded. No hard liquor only wine and beer here. On the upside, we like the it's very white decor, the patterned glass ceiling and floor and the view of Marine drive. It's open through the day and drawing full houses, now if only they'd get consistent with their food and service.