Patrick Fergus
@Fergus5Fergus
A couple of weekends ago, I had the pleasure of attending the annual Associated Collegiate Press Conference in La Jolla, Calif. as a part of The Student. Of course, along the way I had the opportunity to try some pizza far away from the streets of Western Mass., with one stop in Chicago and then in La Jolla itself.
Reggio’s Pizza, Chicago O’Hare International Airport
With a layover in Chicago, I was determined to get the signature style, deep-dish pizza. With plenty of options around our terminal, I opted for Reggio’s Pizza, which first opened at O’Hare in 1998. Growing up with New York slices, I was finally able to expand my pizza palate. It wasn’t too expensive, especially for airport food and was ready quickly. The crust was absolutely the spotlight of the pie, with a full crunchy texture that perfectly accentuated the cheese and sauce, which were good enough to make it a keeper, but the flavors weren’t staggering. Definitely a good spot to get a quick taste of Chicago, Reggio’s scores a dependable three-and-half stars.
La Dolce Vita Ristorante: La Jolla, California
With comfortable temperatures, we ventured out to find a nice restaurant in La Jolla. After settling La Dolce Vita Ristorante, it captured a perfect Italian atmosphere. It was mostly outside seating, and just a quick glance at the menu, the margherita pizza immediately caught my eye. After a short wait, the gorgeous pie was presented on a kitchen paddle, which I thought was a nice touch. Every element was on-point, creamy cheese that melted into the rich and flavorful sauce. An expertly toasted crust capped off one of the best pizza’s I’ve had in awhile, and La Dolce Vita Ristorante is assuredly deserving of five stars.