Just in case you needed a reason to eat a bunch of pizza in two weeks, the annual La Pizza Week is right around the corner once again.
The event debuted in 2021 and runs from May 1 to 14 - doubling in size from its original one week. La Pizza Week finds hundreds of restaurants across Canada firing up their ovens and getting the dough rolling for this saucy celebration - and several restaurants in and around Metro Vancouver will be taking part.
La Pizza Week this year includes popular pizza spots in Vancouver like Community Taps & Pizza and Flourist, as well as plant-based pizza restaurant Virtuous Pie. You'll find pizzas on the North Shore, like at Casa Mia in West Van, south into Surrey, White Rock, and South Delta, and outside the Metro area in Abbotsford, Squamish, and even on Hornby Island.
The premise of La Pizza Week, much like that of its sibling events La Poutine and Le Burger weeks, is simple: Local restaurants sign up and create an exclusive pizza offering for the festival. Pizza fans are encouraged to try as many of the slices and pies as they can. The fest offers local businesses the chance to get a boost in clientele through the unified front of La Pizza Week.
Also: Pizza is awesome.
"Our goal, with every festival we organize, is to extend our unwavering support to the local restaurant communities across Canada. Pizza, much like burgers and poutine, is an adored dish that brings together hundreds of thousands of people," said La Pizza Week co-founder Thierry Rassam in a media release.
Co-founder Na’eem Adam added: “Pizza is a great theme for our festivals. It’s one of the most loved dishes in the world. No two pizzas are the same and the best part is that pizza is made to be shared!”
That said, Adam and Rassam are also working on adding another comfort food classic to their roster of foods meriting celebration: Fried Chicken. So far we just know that a Le Fried Chicken Week is "coming soon."
La Pizza Week 2023: Participating Metro Vancouver restaurants and pizzas
VANCOUVER
- Earl's Kitchen + Bar - Test Kitchen location: Tropic Thunder (Virginia Ham, Marinated Pineapple, White Cheddar)
- Fable Diner & Bar: The Big Fat Greek Pizza (Lamb, oregano, spinach, feta, olives, tomatoes, arugula, balsamic glaze)
- Firecrust Custom Salads + Pizzas: Big Dill Pickle Pizza (Neapolitan pizza, topped with creamy Alfredo sauce, shredded mozza, pickles, dill and freshly roasted garlic)
- New Brandiz Fast Food: Basil & Garlic white sauce pizza (double fresh mozzarella cheese and mushroom, red onion, and pineapple)
- Virtuous Pie: Sweet Mary Jane (San Marzano, TVP bacon, caramelized onion jam, cashew mozzarella, hot honey, parmesan)
- Local Pizzaiolo: To The Tuna And Back (Mozzarella Cheese, Tuna, Ricotta Cheese, Basil, Sliced Lemon, Red Onions, Oregano, and Topped with Siracha Mayo.)
- Papa’s Gourmet Pizza: Philly cheesesteak (Sourdough crust with our pizza sauce and mozzarella, onion, mushroom, beef, green pepper and cheddar cheese)
- Community Taps + Pizza: Nonna Special Detroit (Mozzarella, Cheddar, Vodka Sauce, Pepperoni, Italian Sausage, Caramelized Onions, Mushroom Medley.)
- Famoso Neapolitan Pizzeria: Cavoletti (Fior-di-latte, oven-roasted brussel sprouts, prosciutto crisps, Gorgonzola, dates, walnuts, honey)
- Flourist: Margherita Pizza (San Marzano tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella, basil)
SURREY/WHITE ROCK/DELTA
- Natalino’s Pizza: Montanara (Creamy truffle sauce, mozzarella cheese, mushrooms, sausage, cherry tomatoes, freshly grated Parmesan cheese, and basil.)
- Zero Zero Pizza: Margherita (San Marzano tomato sauce, fior di latte, basil)
- Famoso Neapolitan Pizzeria: Cavoletti (Fior-di-latte, oven-roasted brussel sprouts, prosciutto crisps, Gorgonzola, dates, walnuts, honey)
- Firecrust Custom Salads + Pizzas: Big Dill Pickle Pizza (Neapolitan pizza, topped with creamy Alfredo sauce, shredded mozza, pickles, dill and freshly roasted garlic)
- L'aromas - Tsawwassen: Brussel Sprouts & Prosciutto (White sauce, mozzarella, Brussel sprouts, prosciutto, parmesan cheese, honey drizzle)
NORTH SHORE
- Casa Mia Cucina: Prosciutto & Burrata (Tomato sauce, Burrata Puglia Murgella, Prosciutto di Parma, arugula, olive oil)
- The Raven Pub: Spiced Meatball Pizza (Description not available)
SQUAMISH
- Backcountry Brewing: Buffalo Rancher (Roasted chicken, bacon and mozzarella cheese on a buffalo sauce base. Topped with green onions and house made ranch drizzle)
ABBOTSFORD
- SinAmen Bun Co.: Pepperoni and Cheese Pizza Bun (Their signature savoury bun rolled with pizza sauce, pepperoni, and cheddar cheese)
HORNBY ISLAND
- Hornby Island Bakery & Pizzeria: Elizabeth’s Pie (Pesto, Onions, Spinach, Fresh Garlic, Sun Dried Tomatoes, Mozzarella, topped with Feta, on a light thin crust)
