by Third Ave Hooligan
I’m not one who believes pizza could be (or really should be) a healthy meal. Then again, I am also a firm believer in the ideology that pizza should only be made by Italians (see our Liberty Square’s Mediterranean pie review). I’ve heard some great reviews by others about a whole wheat pie made by Palermo’s, so the missus and I decided to be adventurous and give it a whirl.
Just upon calling for a pick-up order, the voice on the other line was friendly and inviting. I could sense a smile on the other end of the phone. When I picked up the pie, it was piping hot and the gentleman on the other side of the counter was kind enough to double-check that my pizza was properly topped with peppers and onions.
Upon initial inspection, you can’t even tell that the super-thin crust is made of healthy whole wheat. The gang at Palermo’s also does a great job at piling on the toppings, but not adding too many that they’re falling off your slice when you liberate it from the rest of its compadres.
T
he sauce is slightly sweet, but in no way overpowering, and the cheese is plentiful. The wheat-yness of the crust is unnoticeable until you get to the very end of the slice. Sadly, that’s where the pie lost me. One of my favorite parts of pizza is getting to crust and the dryness of the wheat flour did not make me want to eat the whole slice. So, dare I say, I didn’t eat the whole slice of pie. My wife, on the other hand, ate my crust AND ate the man-imum (3 slices for those of you who don’t know).
Another drawback is the price, the whole wheat is not cheap ($16 with 2 toppings) and only available as a large.
IMHO, there’s nothing better in life than a slightly greasy slice of ‘za and a cold beer, but I have to say that Palermo’s whole wheat pizza made me a believer that a restaurant specializing in Isreali and Mediterranean cuisine can make a fine pizza that has some healthy qualities. I’d suggest that rather than having a beer with this pizza, you have a glass of red wine.
Six out of eight slices, because it’s heart-healthy.
