Piece Pizzeria & Brewery
Last Saturday, Katie and I ventured over to Piece Brewery and Pizzeria (1927 W North Ave, http://www.piecechicago.com/flash/index.html). I've heard very good things about this restaurant, and it was voted best thin-crust pizza AND best microbrewery in Chicago by Metromix. We got there around 9pm, and the place was packed. There isn't that much seating. The wait for just 2 of us was an hour and a half! We were told that we could try to get a seat at the bar which might be faster. The bar area was super crowded as well, so Katie and I decided to order a pizza for carry-out since they sell half-gallon Growlers of their beer to go.
This is where a mini-wild goose chase began. The carry out for Piece is located next door to the restaurant, and I asked the host before we left if we could buy Growlers next door as well as order the pizza. He said no problem. We order our pizza, deciding on a red with mushrooms, tomato, and basil as well as the goat cheese appetizer, but it turns out that because of liquor license technicalities, they can only sell us the glass jug for the beer, but we have to go get it filled at the bar. Quite the opposite of what the host had told me. We went next door and fought the crowds around the bar to get our Growler of Golden Arm, a German-style Kolsch Bier.
We took it next door and sampled some as we waited for our pizza to bake. The pizza was ready in about 20 minutes, and we took it back to my apartment to eat. At that point, we were so hungry! The goat cheese and marinara dip with Italian bread was decent, but I wouldn't get it again when I can just make it myself. The pizza was yummy. I really like the crust because it wasn't too thin or too thick- it was just chewy enough. The beer was good too. Katie and I managed to drink the whole half gallon!
The Growler is waiting patiently to be refilled with another brew from Piece! I'm going back to try more of their beer, and I may try another pizza too, but not without a reservation or taking it to go. I've learned my lesson. :)