Diana's Gourmet Pizzeria (WPG)

[Pam R]

I'm wondering if anybody has tried Diana's Gourmet Pizza? She's won the title of Canada's Best Pizza twice now ('05 & '06) - from the Canadian Pizza Magazine. Is it all hype or is it the best pizza?

[eatrustic]

Well....since we can only find her pizzas in the 'Peg I think that you should give us your considered opinion Pam. I can't seem to find my copy of "Canadian Pizza Magazine" that lists her as the best in Canada so I'll have to trust them on that.

I'm sure she makes a good pizza but what style I'm not sure. If you've been to Vanvcouver and tried some of the pizza places here perhaps you can compare what Diana is making and give us an idea.

[prasantrin]

Diana's is relatively close to my mother's house, but I've never tried it. For some reason, I thought it was only take out and bake yourself pizza, and if I'm getting take-out pizza, I ain't gonna bake it myself unless I'm throwing leftovers in the toaster oven.

But it seems from their menu that they also have baked take-out, so maybe I'll try it this time around. It doesn't seem much different from any local pizza place, except they have a slightly better selection of toppings than some others. I'm guessing I shouldn't use Napolitan-style pizza as my base for comparison, though.

For eatrustic, here's the March 2006pdf table of contents from Pizza Magazine, listing the winner of the 2006 Best Pizza.

[Pam R]

I haven't tried it - but next time I'm in the pizza mood I will. I'm now living close to it - so I hope it's good! (I haven't found anything in my new 'hood that I really like).

I never had pizza when I was in Vancouver - I might have to come out there just so I can compare.

[prasantrin]

I haven't tried it - but next time I'm in the pizza mood  I will.  I'm now living close to it - so I hope it's good! (I haven't found anything in my new 'hood that I really like).

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Have you tried Academy Pizza? It's not quite in your 'hood, but it's probably the same distance from your place as Diana's (maybe even a little closer). I like thin crusts with some chew, and theirs is the best take-out thin crust I've had in Winnipeg (though it's still not in the Napolitan crust range).

[Pam R]

Have you tried Academy Pizza?  It's not quite in your 'hood, but it's probably the same distance from your place as Diana's (maybe even a little closer).  I like thin crusts with some chew, and theirs is the best take-out thin crust I've had in Winnipeg (though it's still not in the Napolitan crust range).

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Actually, it's only a couple of blocks from my store. Somebody just mentioned that they had good pizza. I'll add it to the list.

But, I still think I should take one for the team and try Canada's best pizza .

[prasantrin]

I had Diana's pizza last night.

Pluses:

A myriad of toppings, sauces, crusts, and cheeses from which to choose (most at no extra charge). Mix and match at its best.

Minuses:

Crust was tough--perhaps a bit overbaked? Kneaded too long? not enough?

We had two pizzas--one regular crust, marinara sauce, mozzarella (their basic pizza) half with pepperoni and pineapple, and half with capicollo and artichoke hearts. I like their marinara sauce because it actually has flavour that comes through the rest of the toppings. The mozzarella they use is fat-reduced, which is a bit of a bummer, but it was fine. The capicollo, I thought, was sliced a bit too thickly but it was tasty nonetheless.

The other pizza was thin crust (yeasted--they also have a non-yeast thin crust which I think has an extra charge), olive oil and herb "sauce", feta cheese (you can get a blend of feta and mozzarella, but we just got feta), half artichoke hearts and asparagus, half spinach and roasted red peppers. This pizza rocked! The feta was very salty--I think they need to rinse it more, but the spinach and roasted red pepper side was especially good.

I didn't notice much of a difference between the regular crust and the thick crust. I have pictures which I'll post later. When you order the "specialty" toppings (like aspargus, spinach, artichoke hearts, capicollo) they don't skimp on amounts. And the pizza with feta had a lot of feta on it. Only two toppings (aside from extra and double cheese) have extra charges and they are oysters and anchovies. Their pizza isn't the cheapest in town, but it's not the most expensive, either. Our two pizzas (one medium, one large) came to $36 including tax. I think delivery was free (I had requested take-out, but I think there may have been a misunderstanding and they delivered it, instead--luckily it arrived just before I was to leave to pick it up).

Would I order from them again? Definitely. I think it will become my default pizza place, now that the Academy Road Pizza that was on Pembina has disappeared. Was it the best pizza I've ever had? Not even close. Is it the best pizza in Canada? I have my doubts, but it was pretty good pizza (except for the tough crust).

[Pam R]

Thanks for the report Rona. I still haven't had a chance to get there - but I will soon.

Any idea how far they deliver to? Am I good in L.W.?

This may be dinner at some point this weekend. Or I may wait to see your pictures first

Did you have the Moosehead crust?

[prasantrin]

Diana's pizzas

Half peppperoni and pineapple, half capicollo and artichoke hearts...

with a regular crust, marinara sauce, mozzarella cheese

Half spinach and roasted red pepper, half asparagus and artichoke hearts

with a thin crust, olive oil and herb sauce, feta cheese

My favourite was the spinach and roasted red pepper topping, with feta cheese and olive oil and herb sauce. It was a great combination!

[prasantrin]

Thanks for the report Rona.  I still haven't had a chance to get there - but I will soon.

Any idea how far they deliver to?  Am I good in L.W.?

I'm not sure about their delivery area. I didn't even think they'd deliver to my area--I'm probably just under 10 minutes from their place, but I'm on the opposite side of Pembina Highway from their place. You're probably 15-20 minutes away, so I would think it might be a little far.

This may be dinner at some point this weekend.   Or I may wait to see your pictures first

Did you have the Moosehead crust?

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Not the Moosehead. Just their regular crusts. I'm not that interested in the Moosehead (I don't even like beer, so I don't think I want the flavour of it in my pizza), but I would like to try the whole wheat crust next. They also have a thin crust that doesn't use yeast which seems interesting, but I think it might be like commercial thin-crusted pizzas in Japan. They're sort of cracker-like, and they just don't float my boat so I'm wary. But if you give it a try, let me know how you like it!

Edited July 22, 2006 by prasantrin (log)

[Pam R]

My favourite was the spinach and roasted red pepper topping, with feta cheese and olive oil and herb sauce.  It was a great combination!

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OK. If tomorrow goes as planned, that'll be dinner! Looks great - and I love spinach and feta on a pizza - so I'll probably try something similar.

I will probably try the Moosehead crust - it's the one that won her the 'best pizza in Canada' title, so I figure I should give it a shot.

I'll report back after I've tasted it!

[Pam R]

Tonight dinner was pizza. We ordered two - a thin-crust (similar, but different from Rona's) - with their marinara sauce, spinach, olives, roma tomato and the feta/mozzarella blend. I was going to have the olive oil/herb sauce - but chickened out. I wasn't sure if I'd like the herbs - having asked and been told that they were dry. The marinara on this pizza was good - but a little sweet. I liked this crust - a little chewy (but not too chewy) and the edges were crisp.

The second pizza was mushroom and olive on the Moosehead crust. I don't think we specified a sauce, and it arrived with a tomato sauce (which is what we wanted). I don't know if it was the same marinara that was on the other pizza, but it was overwhelmingly sweet on this one. I didn't think this pizza was anything special - in fact, I prefer the pizza from Calabria (on Scurfield).

I much preferred the thin crust to the special Moosehead crust. But I'll try it again. I may like it more with a different sauce or different toppings. It wasn't bad, I just don't think it was as fantastic as it should be. But, I've only had it once - I need to give it another shot before I decide whether I'll give it another shot .

[Pam R]

BTW - On Friday I received 'The Pizza Press" newsletter along with a few coupons in the mail from Diana's. Three coupons that can't be used together and all expire in a couple of weeks. We'll see if I get a chance to use any of them before they expire...