Introduction to Pie Tap
A Dallas pizzeria known for its artisanal dough is coming to Houston. Pie Tap will open its first Bayou City outpost in June. Located next to Fielding’s River Oaks in the Novel Residences luxury apartment building, Pie Tap is an endeavor from Dallas restaurateur Rich Hicks and Italian chef Giovanni Mauro.
The Secret to Great Pizza
The chef is responsible for the restaurant’s pizza dough, which uses a mother starter and a 96-hour fermentation process that uses natural yeast to achieve a good balance of crunch and chew. "Without great dough, you can’t have great pizza," Mauro says. The idea that the crust is simply a vehicle for toppings is the wrong approach. There has to be a perfect balance of sauce and topping, but you have to have a commitment to the dough. If dough is everything it should be, the pizza is stellar.
The Importance of Natural Ingredients
Using Italian flour and natural yeast are essential components of the dough’s flavor, Mauro added. "It’s the kind of dough our great-grandparents used to eat," he says. "It’s a very natural, slow process. We don’t use any commercial yeasts. We started a ‘mother dough’ with a starter that’s proprietary to us. It’s a five-day process, an absolute minimum of 96 hours, from when we start to when we put the pizza on the plate."
Menu Options
The restaurant uses that dough to create pizzas that include classics like a margherita, pepperoni, and veggie. Some of the more creative options include the Prosciutto (topped with dates, pistachio, arugula, cheese, and balsamic) and the Salami (calabrese salami, fennel sausage, pepperoni, bacon, and mozzarella). In addition to pizza, the restaurant touts its rotisserie chicken, which is served both as a half bird with mashed cauliflower and vegetables and as part of sandwiches, pastas, and salads.
Drinks and More
Having covered “pie,” let’s turn to the “tap” portion of the restaurant’s name. The bar program starts with 30 beers and wines on tap. They’re joined by cocktails, more wines by-the-glass, and non-alcoholic options. Other pastas include pappardelle bolognese, ricotta gnocchi, and the on-trend rigatoni in spicy vodka sauce.
What to Expect
“Our talented and dedicated team has been anxiously awaiting this exciting entrance to the Houston market as it is the epitome of all things interesting in food and culture and one of the friendliest and most diverse cities in the U.S. When it comes to our brand, if it is not exceptional, it is unacceptable,” Hicks said in a statement. Pie Tap will be open for lunch, dinner, happy hour, and weekend brunch.
Conclusion
Pie Tap is a unique pizzeria that offers artisanal dough and a variety of menu options. With its commitment to natural ingredients and slow process, Pie Tap is sure to be a hit in Houston. The restaurant’s bar program and creative menu options make it a great spot for anyone looking for a delicious meal. Whether you’re in the mood for pizza, pasta, or rotisserie chicken, Pie Tap has something for everyone.
