The overabundance of toppings definitely didn't go unnoticed. The garlic was spread over the top of the pizza throughout the generous portions of onions, pepperoni (would have been mushrooms if it were up to me), and cheese. The sauce wasn't pasty and bland like the typical chain pizzerias and I'm quite sure there was garlic spread throughout the sauce as well. But the food, or the beer, weren't the reasons why I loved this place so much, it was moreso the experience of being there and the story behind the building.
While we sat around and waited for for our pizza I got a chance to try two new local beers that I had never tried or heard of before, I wish i remembered their names but take my word for it when I tell you they were superb.I also got the chance to learn the story behind this once-former hotel.
So in 1880, construction began on the Merchant Hotel, and Old Town Pizza sits in the original hotel lobby. The window where you place your order is the original Front Desk. It was considered one of the finer hotels of it's day, and even with it's upstanding clientele, prostitution was very relevant. So as legend goes, young Nina was one of the women who "worked" the men in the hotel after being sold into slavery. Nina cooperated with traveling missionaries to clean up Old Town but soon after she was found dead after being thrown down an elevator shaft, now one of the booths in the back of the restaurant is where she carved her name in the brick wall. It's said that she can be seen wandering the basement or the observing diners in her black dress... so if you feel a presence behind you or a whiff of perfume, Nina might be chillin with you. Underneath the floorboards are the Shanghai Tunnels, connectnig Portland with underground pathways, then used to nab unsuspecting sailors and transport them to ships docked on the river. Something I'll post about later when I go on the Underground Tour.
So the food was somewhere in between good and great, but like I said, the experience was just outstanding. I really do enjoy sitting down and waiting for food, preferably with good company and great conversation, along with an excellent beverage to accompany it. This city hasn't ceased to surprise me yet, I know it's only been a little more than a week but I definitely see myself spending a lot more time in Old Town.
Pictures in Order-
1)Old Elevator Shaft, now a booth
2)Shanghai Tunnel Trapdoor
3)Hallway in Old Town Pizza
On a side note, Laura and I have decided to drink Bloody Mary's everywhere we go because everyone makes them differently to match their own style. This one in peticular is very unique and I really enjoyed the way my bartender made it.
Schmizza Pub and Grub- Typical store bought Bloody Mary Mix, way too much Vodka (which is definitely a thumbs up for me), 2 green olives, pepperchini, fresh ground black pepper, and Tobasco sauce. I took a bite out of the pepperchini to squeeze extra juice in there and the seeds to make it a little spicier. And on top of all that... their secret ingredient, ingenious secret ingredient... A splash of Guinness.
More Pictures in Order-
1)Jen drinking an Oatmeal Cookie.
2)Me drinking a delicious Bloody Mary.
3)Keep Portland Weird.
4)Beautiful Picture Jen took, it looks like a painting.
