“You better cut the pizza into four pieces, because I’m not hungry enough to eat six.”

Well you guys – at 1441 Pizzeria, not only are you likely to scarf down your own pizza, you’ll definitely find room for dessert… in the divine form of a nutella calzone!

I selflessly went along for a pre-launch tasting last week to bring you the 411 on everything that you need to know about 1441, India’s first make-your-own pizza parlour…

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For starters, the small but cheerful space boasts a menu curated by an Italian chef – Renato Viola, who’s worked closely with the restaurant’s staff to train them in the art of pizza making.

What’s really remarkable is that the pizzas themselves are incredibly light – a result of the bespoke flour mix created on an Italian farm, combined with the slow-rising process wherein the dough is rested for 24 hours.

Once the pizza dough is stretched out in front of you, you choose from four sauces – most have been imported from Italy but you’ll also find a “Mama’s sauce” based on Abha Aunty’s (owner Krishna Gupta’s mother) famous recipe!

Next it’s time to get creative, presented with a smattering of over thirty toppings that range from the classic to the exotic (think paneer pesto and avocados) to the downright bold – coffee and cheese pizzas anyone?

We decided to divide and conquer with a different cheese blanketing each of the four quarters – shredded mozzarella; smoked mozzarella; fresh buffalo mozzarella and gorgonzola – and a different selection of toppings on each.

Our masterpiece was then fired up in the custom-built wood-fired oven…

… And voilà – a beautiful thin-crust pizza, baked to a crisp perfection!

I have to say that our experimenting with flavour combinations worked out deliciously in our favour – I especially loved my smoked cheese slice, topped off with jalapeños and caramelised onions – it was a perfect blend of sweet and spicy, with a touch of earthiness from the smoky flavours of the cheese.

The pizzas were as light as promised and so we had no trouble demolishing off a garlic focaccia bread on the side.

As well as a bowl of dough balls – their crisp, resilient exteriors giving way to a wonderfully soft melt-in-your-mouth centre.

We did have to wait a bit for dessert though, as the camera ate first!

Finished off with sliced bananas, strawberries and a big ol’ roasted marshmallow, I’m predicting that 1441’s nutella pizza might just be one of the most Instagrammed pizzas of the year among all the #MumbaiFoodies!

If all that wasn’t enough… out popped a banana and nutella-stuffed calzone too with a generous dusting of powdered sugar on top. Pure heaven and literally the kinda stuff that’s worth getting fat for!

To preempt your immediate question, 1441 Pizzeria officially opens its bright green doors in Lokhandwala on 1st March.

South Bombay dwellers reading this may let out a collective sigh of relief to know that a second branch is slated to open in Fort by mid-April. The pizzeria will also soon be running a central kitchen in Mahalaxmi geared for take-aways and home deliveries… TFD to report back with more details soon!

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1441 Pizzeria, Shop no 20 on the ground floor, Samartha Vaibhav CHS LTD., Off K.L. Oshiwara,, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400053

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I was a guest of 1441 Pizzeria but as always, all opinions and views are my own.