Pizza My Mind: Food Writer Sings the Praises of Hutong Pizza, Via Roma, Pizza Express

With voting in the first round of the 2015 Pizza Cup now underway (cast your ballot here), we continue to query Beijingers from all walks of life on their pizza preferences with our Pizza My Mind series. Today we talk to Texan Mike Peters, food writer for China Daily, who lives in northeast Chaoyang District and dines out on pizza an estimated four times a month.

Here's his picks for some of the best pizzas he's tried in his stint in Beijing:

For a date with a significant other:
Hutong Pizza. This joint was my first pizza love in Beijing, and it’s a sweet spot to share a meal with someone special. The pizza is delicious and consistent – and the kitchen knows how to punk up the crust with a little cornmeal. The ambiance is intimate with the charming fishpond courtyard and homey feeling. Afterward, it’s nice to stroll around the lake at Houhai when the weather is fine.

For an important business meeting where money is no object
Via Roma. Chef Francesco Senna won pizza championships back in Italy for his pies, and he’s a fun guy who will stop by and chat up the table. Located in the Kempinski Hotel, Via Roma is elegant and quiet enough for an important business meeting, and there are lovely wines by the glass, which good pizza deserves. The pancetta and mushrooms on the namesake Via Roma pizza come to life under the Gorgonzola cheese and garlic.

When you are introducing Chinese friends who have never tried pizza before:
Pizza Express. The dining room is bright and lively, and the Chinese chefs there love to show off their dough-tossing skills. There are lots of pizzas to choose from, on two kinds of crust. My Chinese roommate and I are both fans of the rectangular Calabrese: spicy sausage, fresh red chilies, roasted red and yellow peppers, mozzarella, and tomato – all topped with light mozzarella, rocket, pesto and Gran Milano cheese. My secret pleasure: the crispy Padana, with creamy goat cheese, sweet caramelized onions and sautéed spinach.

Hungry for more? Read more from the foodies of Beijing in our Pizza My Mind profiles here; and don't forget to mosey along over to our Pizza Profiles series to get a closer look at some of the best pies in town. Got some favorites of your own? Share them with us by filling out our Pizza My Mind questionnaire here.

Image courtesy of Mike Peters