The Calabrian Heat is our bold tribute to southern Italian flavors with a sweet-spicy twist. This pizza features authentic Calabrian chilies, imported directly from Italy, providing a complex heat that builds gradually. Paired with thinly sliced artisanal soppressata, clouds of creamy stracciatella cheese, and a finishing drizzle of Canadian wildflower honey, this pizza delivers a perfectly balanced experience of spicy, savory, and sweet notes on our signature charred crust.
The Calabrian Heat is inspired by the bold, fiery flavors of southern Italy's Calabria region, famous for its spicy cuisine and distinctive chilies. Our chef's journey through small family restaurants in Calabria revealed the perfect balance of heat, sweetness, and savory depth that we've captured in this signature pizza.
What makes this pizza special is the layering of flavors and textures. We start with our 72-hour fermented dough, which develops deep flavor and a wonderfully chewy texture with crisp, charred edges when baked. The base is lightly brushed with our house-made Calabrian chili oil, infused with garlic and herbs for 21 days to develop complexity.
The soppressata we use is specially made for us by an Italian family that has been crafting cured meats for three generations. It's aged for 60 days and sliced paper-thin to allow it to crisp slightly at the edges when baked. The spice level of the soppressata works in harmony with the Calabrian chilies, creating layers of heat that are flavorful rather than overwhelming.
The crowning glory of this pizza is the stracciatella cheese - the creamy, rich center of burrata - which we source from a small dairy in Quebec that specializes in traditional Italian cheese-making methods. This fresh, milky cheese is added after baking, creating cool pockets of creaminess that perfectly counter the heat from the chilies and soppressata.
Finally, a light drizzle of Canadian wildflower honey adds a surprising sweetness that harmonizes with the spice, creating a truly balanced flavor experience that keeps our customers coming back again and again. A scatter of fresh herbs completes this masterpiece, adding aromatic notes and visual appeal.
Allergens: Contains wheat (gluten), dairy, and pork. Our kitchen handles nuts, eggs, and other allergens.
As someone with Calabrian heritage, I'm extremely picky about spicy Italian food. This pizza absolutely nails it! The heat builds gradually and has true depth - not just capsaicin burn but actual flavor. The honey touch is genius, creating a perfect balance with the spice. Best pizza I've had in Canada, hands down.
This pizza has serious heat but it's so well balanced with the creamy stracciatella and sweet honey that it never becomes uncomfortable. The soppressata is top quality and the crust has that perfect char that adds another dimension of flavor. My only suggestion would be to offer a spice level choice for those who might want to try a milder version.
The flavor combination is incredible - spicy, sweet, creamy, and savory all in perfect harmony. The quality of the ingredients really shines through. My wife and I usually get different pizzas to share, but we now both insist on ordering this one. The stracciatella cheese is so creamy and fresh, it's like nothing I've had on pizza before.
The Calabrian Heat offers a medium-high level of spice that builds gradually with each bite. The heat is balanced by the creamy stracciatella and honey drizzle, creating a complex rather than overwhelming spice experience. If you enjoy spicy food but not extreme heat, you'll find this pizza perfectly balanced.
We can prepare a vegetarian version of this pizza that maintains the spicy character by omitting the soppressata and adjusting the other ingredients accordingly. Please specify when ordering.
The Calabrian Heat pairs beautifully with slightly sweet, lower-alcohol red wines that can balance the spice. We recommend a Lambrusco, Dolcetto, or even a New World Zinfandel. For white wine lovers, an off-dry Riesling works wonderfully.
Calabrian chilies, from Italy's Calabria region, offer a distinctive fruity flavor alongside their heat. Unlike some chilies that provide only burn, these peppers deliver complex notes of dried fruit, smoke, and a touch of saltiness that enhances the entire pizza experience.
The honey provides a subtle sweetness that balances the heat rather than dominating the flavor profile. It's applied with a light hand to create harmony among all ingredients. If you're concerned about sweetness, you can request the honey on the side.
