Pizza My Mind: American Foodie Gives High Marks to Tube Station, Sureno, Shala Cafe

In the runup to the 2015 Beijinger Pizza Cup (mark your calendars for the launch party on Oct 17-18), we've asked Beijingers to tell us about their favorite pizza places. Today we talk to Beijing-based HR professional and foodie extraordinaire Glen Loveland, whose claim to fame is that he’s been eating pizza almost  since the day he arrived eight years ago.

“On my third day of living in Beijing back in March 2007, I went to the original (and then ONLY) Kro's Nest Pizza out in Haidian,” the American recalls. “It was a relief to me to see that I could find quality pizza in Beijing. In the years since, I've eaten lots of pizza - and have the pounds to prove it.”

Here are Glen's picks for Beijing's best under the following scenarios:

For an important business meeting where money is no object:
“Sureno has to be one of the top restaurants in the city. It’s a perfect venue for both business and romantic affairs. The word that comes to mind is 'intimate.' Its central location at the Opposite House in Sanlitun is another plus, and the Opposite House offers the most reliable service in Beijing.They’ve got a fantastic dining room and patio in the summer. They offer a range of wood-fired pizzas, and my favorite is the one with sun-dried tomatoes, basil and argula. Yum! There are many restaurants offering wood-fired pizzas, but you'd be hard pressed to find a restaurant with this atmosphere, service, and quality in other locations in Beijing."

For the end of the month when you are worried about the budget:
“Tube Station is already one of the best in Beijing, and their Wudaoying Hutong location offers slices. It's tough to find restaurants in Beijing that just sell slices, so this makes it perfect while waiting for the next paycheck! This location has no seating and is delivery only. Pizza slices are sold "to go" and you can walk down the hutong. It’s quite unique in that the last thing you would expect in this emerging hutong is pizza slices from one of the best in our city. Very few venues in Beijing are ever going to be noted for outstanding or efficient service, and this is the same: stand in line, pay, and wait."

When you feel like something different:
“Shala Cafe. It’s a small Japanese-owned cafe and bar in Jianwai Soho. The owner speaks fluent English and is amazingly efficient. I love their Four Cheese Pizza. As soon as you take a bite, you'll exclaim ‘Yum, cheeeese!’ Whatever combo of cheeses is there, it’s a tasty one, with blue cheese being particularly memorable. This is not a pizza for people who are big into sauce or crust. Consider this pizza as a cheese delivery device. The outer edge of the crust, though kind of floury, is crunchy -- and I like crunchy. The minimal sauce has a fresh tomato flavor, but with little spice. So clearly, the cheese is the star of the show here, and that is more than fine by me. Shala is a small restaurant and lunch is crowded. After work is great to drop in and hear some relaxing music and not feel like you are in Beijing at all. There are few dining venues at Jianwai Soho that offer much inspiration, but Shala stands out. It’s a true hidden gem and so different from most of the pizza out there."

Would you like to be profiled as part of the Pizza My Mind series? Fill out our online questionnaire here. Prefer to respond to these questions orally? Send us an email at info@thebeijinger.com with your phone number and a good time to reach you and we will call you back to interview you over the phone.

Image: Glen Loveland