National Pizza Month: Stoneground

Date: October 8, 2008

Guests: Michelle Allred, Laura Cañate, Theresa Foxley, Kim Frost, and me (Diane Cañate)
Spot: Stoneground Restaurant, 249 East 400 South, Salt Lake City, Utah (801-364-1368)
Order: 

The Hot Chix -- $13/$18 Wing sauce-based pizza, topped with grilled chicken, with gorgonzola and mozzarella cheeses

Side salads with balsamic vinaigrette 

After trying review another lunch spot, we wanted something fast and delicious. We traveled a few blocks from our office over to Stoneground Restaurant to celebrate National Pizza Month. I think sometimes its best to go to neighborhood spots with people who love that spot. (Other times, you definitely want to go by yourself, especially if the place is surrounded by lots of hype.) This was my, Michelle, and Laura's first time to Stoneground, but Theresa and Kim knew exactly how to cut through this large menu to one of the most interesting pizzas I've ever had.

10 reasons why the Hot Chix and Stoneground are a must try:

1. No tomato sauce. The Hot Chix uses hot sauce. Usually when this happens, you're about to bite into a California style pizza that has replaced the tomato sauce with bbq sauce. Stoneground went all the way with this buffalo wing-inspired pizza. 
2. Gorgonozola cheese tucked under the mozzarella, creating depth of flavor and furthering the buffalo wing and bleu cheese dressing flavors. 
3. The pizza was cooked perfectly. The mozzarella cheese was slightly browned, the crust was golden brown and crisp.
4. The salad dressing was delicious. It's a creamy balsamic vinaigrette that is always served on the side, unless otherwise asked. I appreciate that, because whenever going to a new place you may not like the ratios of ingredients.
5. The field greens were fresh and crisp. We weren't expecting much with a side salad but it was hearty and a perfect healthy addition to balance our lunch.
6. Wing sauce is made by hand in house. The local foods movement is taking over and with good reason...it's delicious!
7. There are pool tables in the middle of the restaurant you can play whenever. pizza...pool...fantastic.
8. The entrance is through the elevator. Watch out though, when the elevator doors are closing...they are closing. Ask Kim. 
9.  They have limonata on the menu. It's not my favorite, but I know a lot of people really like it. The acidity cuts right through the fat of the cheese.
10. Stoneground isn't really in walking distance from the large office buildings, making it a more deliberate choice. This may not seem like a positive, until you realize that it allows you to get great seating and served more quickly. 

All in all, this was a great start to National Pizza Month. I really recommend Stoneground and especially this unique pizza. If you love buffalo wings, you'll love this pizza. We got sides of the wing sauce and gorgonzola, which added a a bit more zing. The heat stays with you a bit, we even found ourselves a bit warm. Fortunately, the flavors of the sauce also stay with you too and they are balanced and well, tasty.