pizza-making at morris east

For those that know me well, my periodic outbursts of “ how about pizza?!” come as no surprise. When we’re considering take out, or when we're in the mood for something homemade and hearty, it’s at the top of my list. It’s been my favorite food ever since I was a child and over the years, my love for it has intensified. People are often shocked when I tell them this however and I’m not sure why. Pizza encompasses all of the things I adore and since the combinations are endless, it can be enjoyed time after time without becoming boring or conventional. Smokey, cured meats, roasted vegetables, grilled fruit, toasted nuts, spiced olives, zesty tomato sauce and the wide variety of cheese make this choice more than appealing to me. Add to that an amazing crust and really, it should come as no surprise to anyone that it’s my favorite thing on earth.

When our friend, the lovely Jennie Dobbs from Morris East welcomed Kara and I and our children for an afternoon of pizza-making and fun, we couldn’t pass it up. Like me, the children are becoming pizza-loving maniacs- but who can blame them really? Lauren and Chris showed them around the kitchen and introduced them to all of the fresh ingredients they could choose from. The oven is imported from Naples and was fragrant with burning apple wood. The children watched in anticipation as their pizza was whisked away and placed in the oven. As it baked and bubbled and oozed with aromatic ingredients, they waited patiently for their culinary masterpieces. I looked at their creations all lined up in a row,  and I couldn’t help but smile. My little 4 year old son had topped his pizza with peaches, bacon, pineapple and zucchini and it was phenomenal. Smoky and sweet. Subtle and tantalizing. I love that he is willing to try almost anything and is adventurous when it comes to food. The children used the crusts to sop up the last bit of housemade chili oil they so desperately wanted to try. Even the ones that prefer their pizza ‘crustless’ couldn’t resist the flaky, thin dough.

Morris East is a glorious little gem near the downtown core. When I first dined there, many moons ago, I was mesmerized by the incredible ambiance and attention to detail. It reminded me of a chic NYC neighborhood café, trendy yet classic, clean and simple, warm and inviting. The muted colors with vibrant red accents and exposed brick create a sensuous vibe and I love that she collaborates with local artists to showcase the very best in local art and design. On numerous occasions she’s displayed work by one of my favorite artists, Michelle St. Onge and I was happy to see more work from her most recent collection during our last visit. The menu changes in order to pay homage to seasonal ingredients. The local movement- the idea behind supporting regional farmers is so appealing to me and I love that Morris East supports that philosophy.

One of my fondest memories of Morris East is when I dined there a couple of years ago with my husband, our daughter, my brother and his fiancée. They had just started dating and I remember my daughter leaning over and whispering in my ear that she thought her uncle was a perfect match for the beautiful girl sitting next to him- a girl she had known for many years. A girl she adored. It’s such a lovely memory for her and she continues to tell people that Morris East is the place where it ‘all happened.” Her eyes twinkle when she talks about that day and her integral involvement in their love story and she still believes she was the mastermind that brought them together. For now, I'll let her continue basking in the glory as I don't have the heart to tell her otherwise.

Two days later we returned to Morris East with a wonderful group of friends, including the lovely Colleen from Curtains are Open. We laughed, enjoyed spectacular wine and savored the delicious pizza. As always, Jennie was a gracious host. She's promised to share some recipes with me and I absolutely can not wait to recreate her dishes. Until then, I'll leave you with a recipe for a very simple salad that we serve when making pizza at home. It's easy and tasty.

Jennie Dobbs of Morris east

original art by Michelle St.Onge

 

arugula salad

Comments

[Fiona]

I have some wonderful memories at Morris East as well! <3