Adrienne’s Pizza Bar: Pizza and Mozzarella Fritti

Another day, another World Cup special and this time, we’re at Adrienne’s Pizza Bar in Downtown West Palm Beach, watching Belgium take on Senegal and cheering loudly for my beloved (former) Gunner, Leo Trossard.

The Spot: Adrienne’s Pizza Bar

• Location: 378 S Rosemary Ave, West Palm Beach, FL 33401

• Vibe: Upscale and modern pizza place with a huge TV and full service, 60’ bar and huge wine selection.

 

The Bite: Harry Bar Pie and Mozzarella Fritti

• Price:

• Harry’s Bar Pie (Cheese): $12 - Happy Hour Pricing

• Mozzarella Fritti: $10 - Happy Hour Pricing

• Vegetarian Status: Vegetarian

The Flavor Breakdown

There’s the idea that pizza and sex are alike in that there’s no bad variant of either. To which I say, nope! Both bad sex and Domino’s exist in this world and if you’re lucky enough to never have experienced either, I tip my hat to you.

You will not find bad pizza at Adrienne’s. The West Palm Beach outpost of this New York pizza joint has a solid cheese pie - chewy crust blistered and bubbled in all of the right places, the perfect amount of cheese and a savory sauce that tastes like tomatoes instead of tomato candy. Add the traditional table accoutrements of crushed chili flake (actually spicy), grated parm and dried Italian herbs and you’ve got a great meal perfect for watching the game.

The mozzarella fritti is something special. As a vegetarian, mozzarella sticks have long been part of my diet, oftentimes because they’re the only protein-forward option a girl can get at a sports bar (Impossible Burgers are foul and I refuse to eat them). They’re usually an afterthought - a cheese stick found tucked away in a kid’s lunchbox, breaded and quickly fried and served with off-brand Ragu.

However at Adrienne’s, you get these doorknob sized globs of creamy, salty mozzarella fried to a crisp golden brown, generously dusted with parmesan and served on a warm bed of tomato sauce with a fried long hot pepper for good measure.

If you’re only getting one thing on the menu, go with the mozzarella fritti.

The Beverages: Aperol Spritz

• Price: $10 - Happy Hour Pricing

If you’re a day-drinker (no judgment. I know who the president is), Adrienne’s Aperitivo Hour is one of the best deals in Palm Beach County. Running from 11:30am-6:00pm, you can get a selection of 1:1 mixed drinks or three varieties of spritzes (Aperol, Hugo and Aperitivo which is like an Aperol but a little more bitter) for $10. An espresso martini, a Negroni or an Old-Fashioned for $12, a glass of wine for $8 and a draft beer for $7.

If you’re more a night owl, Adrienne’s runs the same deal from 10:00pm until they close at midnight.

One Mouthy Sandwich Girl Rating:

• Flavor & Freshness:

  • 🥪 🥪 🥪 - Pizza

  • 🥪 🥪 🥪 🥪 - Mozzarella Friti

  • 🥪 🥪 🥪 - Average Rating (there’s no half sandwich emoji but just imagine there is)

• Value for Buck:

  • 🥪 🥪 🥪

  • Adrienne’s is pricy ($28 for a 14” tomato pie which seems excessive. I mean, Gaeta’s in Northeast Philly does a full sheet which is 24 slices for $29 and it’s pretty much the best pie in the city but tomato, to-mah-to, tomato pie) but their specials are decent:

    • Daily Aperitivo Hour 11:30AM-6:00PM at the bar

    • Late Night Happy Hour 10:00PM-Close

    • Buy One, Get One Brunch Cocktail on Weekends

    • 2 For TUESDAYS $30 Napoli Marg Pizza + Margarita Cocktail

• Vegetarian Variety:

  • 🥪 🥪 🥪

  • Italian joints are usually great for vegetarians. In addition to pizza and the fried mozzarella, Adrienne’s also offers arancini with truffle, braised escarole and white beans, a take on eggplant parm called an eggplant wedge, cauliflower crust flatbread and a white pie loaded with mushrooms.

• The Verdict:

  • 🥪 🥪 🥪

  • It’s a damn shame that Italy didn’t qualify for the World Cup again because watching an Italy match at Adrienne’s would definitely be a good time. Game or no game, Adrienne’s is worth checking out for happy hour. Just don’t forget to order the mozzarelli fritti.