If you want authentic Italian, and just pizzas, calzones, paninis, and salads then I'd say this is a great place. I went with a plain cheese pizza because I'm a picky eater. I wanted Hawaiian but they said that they don't have pineapples. So again, I chose just cheese. If I eat plain pizza, I like to dip it in ranch so I asked for that. They said they didn't have that either which was a little shocking to me since they have salads. I only eat salad with ranch so I could never eat their salads! The decor is nice and the server was really friendly. My review would've been higher had they had the small options I wanted. But you can't please everyone. Overall, a good place to visit!
(4)
Roberto D.
Really cool great bike savvy pizza spot! Loved the decor and the friendly service. Awesome bike parking and stationary repair center located just outside the front, for anyone who needs a quick repair. They also had frozen vegan options, and a nice selection of vegan pies and salads. All in all I definitely would go back.
(4)
Sean H.
Fantastic. We stumbled upon it for a late dinner last night and were happily surprised. The appetizer was GREAT (salami & cheese platter), but came out a little later than we'd have liked due to a LARGE party of people taking up our section. Not a particular fault of the restaurant, so I didn't count them off. Salads were exceptional (both spinach; we weren't interested in being too adventurous); the pizza was very good as well. We basically had a margeherita-style (we added fresh tomatoes), and it hit the spot. The gelato was a great finish to the meal. PLEASE TRY THIS PLACE!
(5)
Emmett B.
The pizzas were all unique and all had Italian names that I cant pronounce. All the pizzas were thin crust and the ingredients were fresh. I guess you can say the pizza were more traditional Italian and catered more to an "artisan" taste. In other words, this not a place if you're looking for good greasy pizza. Also tried one of their salads that was served on top of foccacia bread which was also really good. And their chili oil is AMAZING! You definitely need to the foccacia and pizza crust on the chili oil to give that extra kick and flavors Shouts out to the bald headed tatted server w/ black frame glasses. He did a good job giving recommendations on the menu, since this kind of pizza was very new to us.
(5)
Lily S.
Nice place, impressed with the manager really hands-on with customers and the orders, nice portions beautiful salads would go back!
(4)
Annie W.
I guess I realized I am a fan of doughy crust after my dinner here. But even still, I found this place to be insignificant. The crust was slightly burnt on one of our pizzas, and even if it wasnt, I still doubt it would have changed my review very much. We had #1 and #32. 32 had weird-tasting mushrooms...and I normally love mushrooms of all kinds. 1 was just...boring. I was expecting more cheese and more flavor since they put so many toppings on their pizza. Also, we got a pitcher of beer for $13. Probably the best part of our meal. Service was good, but we had everyone serving us, not just one person (maybe it's a team-service restaurant?) I would recommend you go elsewhere if you have a hankering for cheesy, doughy pizza. This isn't the place to appease that craving.
(2)
Peter G.
I LOVE this place. Cool atmosphere, amazing pizza that's not your standard fare, and the friendliest staff you'll ever meet. Perfect place to grab a bite and a drink or two before or after a movie at the nearby theater. I have eaten most things on the menu over multiple visits, and the food is consistently excellent and service great. Do yourself a favor and check it out.
(5)
K S.
It's one of those places you'd expect to be crappy. Their other location is in Sacramento, that hotbed of culinary innovation. They're adjacent to the Public Market, AKA the "abandon all hope, ye who enter here" foodie non-destination. They have a cheesy name. Something just seems off. But you're wrong. I've been here a couple times, and the pizza was delicious. D. Licious. The ingredients are top-shelf, and the menu has an admirable degree of variety. The atmosphere is comfortable yet trendy, and the staff are great.
(5)
Jilly C.
Thin crust pizza- good House made oil- good Salad with yummy cheese- good Gelato- oh baby! Its right across the street from my building, oh i will be back. That smoked salmon pizza is calling my name...
(4)
Marvin P.
The pizzas are unusual and delicious. There is just one size and many of the ingredients are not your run-of-the-mill ingredients. Staff is warm and even gave us the chili oil that is served when you eat in (we have only ordered to go here). The restaurant space itself is pretty warm and always seems to have soccer on the television which is a plus.
(4)
Turi F.
When you live in Oakland, going to Emeryville is sort of like being plopped down in the middle of suburbia, and sometimes that's fun. The interior is sprawling, airy, and spacious. I really enjoyed the brunch pizza we got, along with a salad. I wanted to try their gelato, but I resisted for once.
(4)
Shirley W.
I love this place! They serve great thin crust pizzas. They have these flavored oils (rosemary and habanero) that you can dip your crust into it which I loved. The only down side was that the chili flakes were an additional $2. We shared 2 pizzas between the 2 of us and it was more than enough food. We tried the fiori and citerrio pizza. Both were equally delicious. I really wanted a scoop of gelato which was from naia gelateria and I wanted to try one of their dessert pizzas, but that definitely calls for another trip out to Hot Italian!
(4)
JASMIN O.
Great service. Plenty of parking. Good food & menu variety. Decent pricing My kids really liked watching the workers make/bake the pizza. BUT - I'm not a fan of super thin crust.. - i LOVE my beverages. So to be confined to water, coke, iced tea, and flavored pellegrino.. made my soul hurt, to say the least. Ugh, should I mention that I was pregnant at the time, so their gorgeous bar was not an option?! Overall a good experience. I would go with friends who invited me.. but probably not out of my way for myself.
(3)
Michael L.
Pretty good pizza, decor is a little cold, but they more than make up for it with a good quality pie!
(4)
Greg P.
Love this place. Original pizza and calzone recipes with great flavor and casual atmosphere. Not Chicago style pizza, but really good neopolitan style. Plan on trying them for brunch some day
(5)
Kevin K.
4 Stars is right. -Food was really good; I got pizza and tried their gelato. Both were tasty, satisfying, but not the most amazing things ever. -Service was friendly, but sort of slow and even awkward at times (but it was late, and I'll give benefit of the doubt and say they were burnt out--but still...) -Ambiance was pretty cool; it simply embodied what they set out to be a cool, hip, trendy Italian spot with a hint of old-school bar. -Price... I'm on the fence about if I feel good about the price I paid. I am leaning towards "worth it", but nothing in terms of taste and satiety put me over the top. So last words: it's a great place. I am glad I went, and would go again, but I'm just not dying to.
(4)
Colleen B.
Loved it. We ordered the 32 Jovanotti with pesto instead of tomato sauce and it was delicious! Also had the 12 Citterio panini and the prosecco cocktails. Excellent service from Marie & Brian. I'm actually more of a pizza hut pan pizza kinda girl but their pizza has a freshness that is very gourmet and pleasing. Go, you'll love it.
(4)
Tessa V.
Wanted to try something totally different, so I ordered the smoked salmon pizza which did not disappoint. Especially with the chili infused oil. Enjoyed the salad - really fresh ingredients. And if course the beer and gelato. Looking forward to trying other items on the menu. Service was quick and friendly which is always a plus.
(4)
Av A.
I like this place. Only had their gelato so far but every flavor I've tried was really good. Their smallest cup comes with two scoops, and you can choose two diff flavors. Apart from delicious gelato, this place also serves up pizza, with a full bar to boot. What's better than a pizza joint, bar, and dessert all in one?
(4)
Jen J.
Fantastic thin crust pizza with fresh ingredients. Lots of options, including calzones, panini & salads. Wi-Fi & large tables makes it the perfect meeting spot. I always meet at Peets next door but it's crowded, loud & 90% of the time I'm outside (ok on nice days.) - I found my new meeting spot. Great coffee & great team. Everyone was over the top nice. They even have a beer & wine bar.
(5)
Mike B.
Picking up my daughters BFF from Amtrak station I resorted again to some Yelp roulette and happen across this cool place - Ambiance - ok Service - good Variety - so so Food - very good This is a 3 1/2 star place , for whatever reason it's not cozy feeling but its comfy , wish they had some pasta - An Italian Guy with no Lasagna ? Clam sauce ? But what they have is good ! Would I make a special trip to this place ? Maybe - if in Emeryville I'd very much stop by often .
(3)
Frances B.
We got the Stella with egg (it was our breakfast). We were pleasantly surprised by how much we enjoyed it since we usually prefer a thicker crust. We came during lunch time on a Friday & there wasn't a crowd, yet the food was fabulous and the service phenomenal. We may be bak for dinner tonight.
(4)
Marcella W.
My husband and i got the olives as an appetizer and 2 pizzas. It was delicious. I have been craving pizza for awhile and it was completely satified after eating here. I enjoyed the flavor of each ingredient instead of tasting a ton of sauce, cheese, and dough like with most pizzas out there. It has a very thin crust which is nice because i dont feel stuffed with carbs.
(5)
Carol W.
As my pisanos in Brooklyn would say, It's aiight. Just okay. Frankly, the NY mentality about pizza is mental illness and because California takes this mentality to another level, we respectfully agree to disagree on many things. And just as I respect the Chicago sensibility on pizza and can find understanding in the love for Zachary's Pizza (deep dish, upside down with toppings compared to NY's thin crust or Sicilian dough/sauce/toppings/cheese designs). Hot Italian isn't rich nor read....it's kinda overdone if you really ask me, especially since Rotten City Pizza in Emeryville on Hollis and 66th is more delicious and ridiculously cheap (plus they sell by the slice, like any sensible NY-style pizzaria does. Too many other options in this area for me to love it and if I'm gotta do pizza, Rotten City and even California Pizza Kitchen in the AMC/Bay Street location would please me more.
(2)
Anastasia G.
Great place with great pizza. My husband invited me to spent our dinner there. When I came he already ordered 2 pizzas so I can't tell the exactly name. The First one was with salmon and cheese. It was not just baked salmon, it was a little bit smoked thin long slice :) plus cheese it was great, delicious. The second one was with cheese and mushrooms and egg (plus 2$) I liked them a lot... Both...:) Service was good too. I hope I'll be back soon :)
(5)
Charleen C.
This place is pretty cool. Service is friendly and relaxed. If it's your first time I recommend the FIORI for sure. If you like spicy put a little of their chilli oil. Mmmmmm. I normally togo because I live right across the street but you should definitely sit down and eat here because the pizza will taste 10x better fresh out of the oven. By the time I take mine home is not the same because it's all thin crust. I haven't tried their gelato yet but maybe ill stop by when I walk my dog. They look like they have some tasty choices like tolberone and salted caramel. Drool...I recommend trying this place at least once if your going out with a friend after shopping =)
(4)
Ann M.
Yummy, I just love the Pepperoni Pizza. It has a nice spicy flavor that is just perfect on the pizza. Toby is a great server as well. We try to always get her section.
(5)
Gorgeous P.
I like the pizza. I eat here when I'm feeling in the mood for fancy pizza ingredients. lol I love the gelato. Some of the best I've ever had. I hate the communal tables. #no-new-friends lol I'm not sure why every place is doing water in these refillable bottles now. My bottle had mold in it and now I can't drink from those bottles anywhere. The server was good about it and gave me my soda for free...but still... Eww! Note: this review is from last year.
(3)
rori nicole z.
used Caviar to deliver. got the vegan "multi" vegan + vegan cheese. it was all olives. so many olives. terrible. I ended up throwing the whole thing out. also delivered cold.
(1)
Ann L.
Tried out Hot Italian in Emeryville, it's next to the Public Market. You can enter through their front door or the food court has a door too. They have lots of long communal tables/chairs, so no individual 2 or 4-top tables. Can get really loud in there. B. got a glass of House Red Wine $7 - he seemed to like it, I didn't try. We shared a pizza $13 (#12 Citterio fior di latte mozzarella, spinach, prosciutto cotto, mozzarella, parmigiano reggiano cheese) with extra basil $2- Soggy middle, thin crust, cheap ham. Not that good. Salad Sozzani $8 was average - it had spinach, blue cheese, pears, pinenuts. Meh. They had 2 oils on the table: some herb kind & a chili pepper one. I liked the pepper one better. 4 unisex bathroom in the back, trough sinks outside. Charged the meal.
(2)
Scott P.
My wife had been here previously but I had not. Overall, this place is pretty neat and overall I think a pretty good find. It is decorated with soccer and cycling stuff, celebrating two of Italy's favorite sports. Plenty of room and seating at least for time we went for lunch. We got the pizza with prosciutto and arugula and the 12 CITTERIO pannini. The crust of the pizza was pretty good. I usually like a bit more tomato sauce but it had good flavor, good cheese and the prosciutto and arugula were very tasty. I liked the pannini a bit less but it had pretty good flavor. They also had chili oil that you could add some spice to your dishes and it was very tasty and not too hot. Lastly, we had a glass of Chianti to accompany the meal and it was very tasty, did not have too much of a tannic acid finish like some Chiantis can have. Overall, we were very pleased and would go back.
(4)
D. F.
Pretty good pizza, no complaints because you CAN actually screw up a pie if you don't know what you're doing. Family oriented space, very quirky but nice and compartmentalized in terms of their offerings: beer, gelato, pies, plates and bike gear??? OK cool/Out!
(4)
Rustin L.
I'm always in search of authentic, thin crust Italian pizza, like I had in Italy. Let's just cut to the chase...the calzone with pepperoni and mushrooms was phenomenal (actually with olives, but I replaced with mushrooms), the "margarita" style pizza wasn't as special but good. The calzone gets 5 stars, the pizza 3. Cool place with relaxing, modern, spacious vibe. Service was passable, but could have been more attentive. Will definitely be back whenever I'm in Emeryville which is often.
(4)
Farheen M.
My daughter says that this place's pizza is really good. The service is good too. The lady who served is was nice to tell us what size the pizza is. She also welcomed us too. Although it was a good resturant the music was too loud and the wait was kind of long. They also serve gelato too. I suggest this place to anyone in the mood for pizza. Over all I thought that the place was trying too hard to be an east bay hipster hangout.
(4)
Mo L.
This review is based on the lunch item I ordered. # 56 or 58. This multi- cheese Panini with caramelized onions was pathetic. Super melted cheese saturating the very thick Panini was the worst Panini sandwich I've ever encountered. And the panini bread itself was overly thick and hard to chew. Thinly filled, it was an all around joke (tasteless). Be careful what you order here.
(1)
Bob B.
I was very surprised after reading the positive reviews. The vegetarian pizza I ordered was so BLAND - the tomato sauce seemed to have no seasoning whatsoever. Punch it up!
(2)
Ladonna A.
If you're looking for a spot that enables the fanciness in PIZZA, this place has got it! This place is the spot if you'd like to feel the true Italian in piSSa! From their one of a kind pizzas made from fresh meats and veggies, to their awesome hot sauce (which i knew how to make), you'll leaving feeling full in a good way. They also serve beers that compliment you're meal well as well as italian ice cream (GELATO!). i love going here if i want to binge but still feel great after! Must try!!
(4)
Nick S.
I decided to take my mom & girlfriend here, we are all first timers. Our waitress (Margerette)* was quick & very persuading since the menu is a little overwhelming at first. Food was excellent, the crowd was loud as we watched the FIFA game (Netherlands vs Costa Rica)!! I HELLA recommend this place food was B O M B!
(4)
Yordano R.
Ok I just stopped by for a quick early dinner since I was hungry while , the waitress was great supper quick and very welcomed, don't know her name but she was awsome she is tall blond with green eyes. Give her a raise pls. Food was great and my cocktail was on point.
(4)
Elizabeth K.
Guys! What's happening? Ordered pizzas to go last Weekend and you were out of pepperoni ? It's like saying we are out of pizza! I ordered a Murrano instead and you were crazy stingy with the toppings!? Just crust = bland & boring. We rave to everyone about your pizza! But we were so disappointed.
Where do I start... Everything here is delicious! Seriously; I don't think you can go wrong with anything on the menu. The pizzas are so fresh and light, you don't feel as bloated after you've had a couple slices because the dough is so thin. Oh, and while you're here don't forget to pick up on the dessert. Their fresh gelato is mouth watering. My personal 2 favorites were the Toasted Almond and the Pistachio, but I honestly don't think you can go wrong with any flavor. If you're ever in town I would recommend you stop by. Heck, even if you're not in town you should come by... Definitely worth the drive.
(5)
Esprit S.
I came in on a Saturday night for a quick bite before heading to the movies. I order the AQUILANI salad, which came out to be a bag of arugula and four pieces of pumpkin. The remaining ingredients in the salad were nowhere to be found. Salads I pick up on my weekly run to the grocery store trump these. Additionally, the older man that took my order at the bar was gossiping and complaining about his co-workers. I'm not a fan of this place
(2)
Alice M.
As soon as I walked into Hot Italian, it felt lively and fun. A little hectic though and my friend and I were a little confused about how to get seated. Once we figured it out, we were seated right in front of the guys making the pizzas and calzones (dinner and a show!). We ordered a couple of cocktails and the Bellucci pizza (homemade fennel sausage, mozzarella, and topped with balls of fresh ricotta). We liked the cocktails -- sweet but strong, and we sat sipping and watching the pizzas being carefully made as we grew hungrier and hungrier. Once the pizza came out, we jumped on it, and I immediately asked for red pepper flakes. "I'm sorry.. we don't have red pepper flakes," said the server. I thought he was joking. What kind of pizza place doesn't have red pepper flakes?! Instead, they offered a substitute of chili oil. I was skeptical, but I decided to try it anyway. First, the pizza -- I liked the crust (thin and a bit smoky), the sausage was less good -- tasted almost like frozen sausage that had been warmed up, but the pizza still tasted good. The chili oil -- AMAZING. I didn't even miss red pepper flakes with this stuff. Interesting and yummy. To end, we scoured their gelato bar. Yes, they have a GELATO BAR. When we heard they had Ferrero Rocher gelato, we had to get it. Anddd it was delicious. Can't ask for more than Ferrero Rocher gelato. Hot Italian, you are fun, cool, and yummy. I will be back for more :)
(4)
Erin G.
What I ate: Benassi pizza, Casalegno pizza, blood orange Pellegrino Visit date: December 1, 2012 First time? Yes. Best pizza I've ever stuffed in my face. The bike-inspired decor (e.g. handle bar hooks!) and warehouse feel make this pizza place pretty hip if you ask me. But let me focus on the pizza and impeccable service! The Benassi pizza (limited edition pizza) is topped Swiss chard sauteed with pancetta, pumpkin puree, roasted kabocha squash, and pesto-goat cheese. This pie was crazy tasty! The salt from the pancetta, creaminess of the pesto, sweetness of the squash, and crunch of the dough all harmoniously blended to make, hands down, my favorite pizza. The Casalegno pizza has roasted yukon gold potatoes, crescenza cheese, pancetta ham, and rosemary oil. Not as stellar as the Benassi, but still a rock star. Who can say no to pizza topped with potatoes? The oils are pepper and rosemary infused and are a must-try. My favorite is the pepper oil (obviously!). These are perfect for dipping pizza crusts or your whole pizza. Writing this review makes my mouth water! I'm too excited to return and try other menu items. Also, they have gelato and a full bar that I need to try. Our waitress was so friendly and helpful. I had her explain the limited edition pizza for us twice and I asked her so many random questions about the restaurant; she didn't seem the slightest bit annoyed. Why not a 5? I have to keep coming back to test for consistency. QC is just as important as love at first taste.
(4)
Michelle D.
Overall: thin pizza up against some stiff competition Pros -Murino - d'alessio Cons -materazzi Sidenote - It's not bad but not great either. Considering its location, there are lots of other pizza places that I would rather go to.
(2)
Jimbo M.
Good food, plenty of parking and I didn't find it super expensive for good quality "foodie" pizza.
(4)
Luby H.
I actually wasn't always a fan of pizza, but Hot Italian was a big part of this metamorphosis. One day after a 9 mile hike across the Bay Bridge, we were hungry campers who first came looking for food at the food court next door. Bummed that there wasn't anything appealing, we decided to try out this pizza joint (which was right next door) and didn't expect much other than being a tummy-filler. To my surprise, it was one of the best pizza I've ever tried. After browsing what seemed like endless selections, we opted for the special of the day which was a Duck pizza with arugula and squash, and The Bortolami. The service was superb, as the waitress was extremely attentive, and the pizza was served in less than 20 minutes. Considering the fact that it was probably a made-to-order pizza, that's like lighting speed. The most important part was, both pizzas came out to be extremely delicious. My favorite of the two was definitely the Duck, but I am not sure if that's even offered anymore as it was explained to us as the special of that day. If that's the case, they need to add this to the menu or make it the special everyday! It was so goood it needs to be permanent! For dessert, we tried the gelato liqueur, which was your choice of gelato served with your choice of liqueur. I opted for the Caramel gelato in Kahlua, and surprisingly, it was actually very good. Not too strong but the perfect blend of sweetness and alcohol. If I am ever around the area again, I am definitely coming back to this restaurant. With countless pizza selections, I am excited to see what else they have in house!
(5)
Albert C.
Expensive but high quality pizza. For the same portion, their pizza is maybe 2X more expensive than Pizza Hut, but not 2X more delicious. Had it carry out so no comment on their service.
(3)
Learnee L.
So glad to see a cool pizza place in E-ville. Hubby and I decided to come over and cool ourselves down (it was a pretty warm weather). The place is pretty big, very open space. No hostess. seats were modern. We ordered cocktails but they were all weak so we ended up ordering beer and chardonnay. For apps: we ordered the Salami plate: really good esp the cheese. The pizza bread was abit too much though. For pizza: we shared Fiori pizza- truffle oil, prosciutto and a bit of tomato were awesome combination! Food were great although we wish we were advised that we were going to have too much bread with our order Cocktails were different but weak. The service was good. We'll come back for gelato and other pizza.
(4)
Timm M.
I found the service friendly and fast, and the food arrived in good fashion, not super fast, but not super long either. I had the better pizza, it was like a bagel and cream chees pizza, delicious. My wife had the better salad, a spiniach salad with raisins, pine nuts, a great dressing and just yummy....this is a repeat and a keeper, a bit pricey tho....a salad would be enough for a meal, or a pizza would be enough, but start combining and your $$$$$ do up, up, up....
(4)
Chris L.
I like this place! Trendy and clean - a great place to catch up with friends. Plenty of parking and it's conveniently located next to the Public Market. The pizza is served on a thin flatbread and the ingredients are fresh and tasteful. They have long black tables with bar stools and you can share tables. Everyone is friendly here! I believe Katie was our server and she was super attentive and sweet. We were all about the pumpkin ingredients on the menu. To start, we ordered the Aquilani Insalata - arugula, roasted kabocha pumpkin and pumpkin seeds, candied walnuts and fresh pomegrante. It was $10 and served on foccacia bread. So yummy! Three people can split one salad on the foccacia bread. Then we had the Gattuso pizza (pumpkin puree instead of tomato sauce - GENIUS, smoked mozzarella, fresh parsley and sage oil). We also added the pancetta ham for $2. It was so good! The pumpkin gave it a sweet kick and the pancetta was not too salty. The mozzarella was freshly shaved into tiny curly cues - super cute and flavorful. Then Katie offered us a little gelato tasting since we couldn't decide the ones (two flavors, golf-ball sized for $3.50). We tried the pistachio/vanilla/chocolate spumoni, sierra nevada beer gelato, white mint chip and chocolate. All were excellent but we both chose the white mint chip (SO GOOD). I also had the salted caramel gelato, which is perfect for caramel lovers like me. The pistachio was also very nutty and pungent - so good! I definitely would come back!
(5)
Hosai H.
Good pizza and nice location.
(4)
Cindy L.
It was either the Public Market or this place...after a walk around the PM, we decided to try this pizza place. Service was great...the server was informative and friendly. We ordered two pizzas and a Plato de Salumi to share between 4 adults and a toddler. Pizzas: Nibali and Bellucci. I really liked the Nibali but my brother in law liked the Bellucci. The crust was thin and had a nice chewiness to the crust. PIATTO DI SALUMI & FORMAGGI - decent plate of mixed cured meats and cheeses. The small ball of goat cheese with the jam over their olive oil pizza crust was delicious. I could've just ordered this item and a couple of beers and it would've been perfect. A nice touch was the infused chili olive oil for dipping. A tiny hint of spicy but I still wished they offered chili pepper flakes. They don't. :( If I still live in the Bay, I think having happy hour here would be fun. A nice full bar and pretty darn good food to go with the drinks.
(4)
Jenny T.
E-ville has evolved so much since I started living there. It's been turning hipper than any city that I know of. So, for Hot Italian to pop-up into town has made living here hipper than hip. But can I call myself a hipster? Nope, I don't think I qualify since I'm such a nerd. This place rocks in terms of ambiance, food and beer. It's decorated in chic black, white high stools and cool black tables. Who wouldn't want to hang out there just to chill with pizza and a tall glass of frosty beer? Only problem...little nerds, like myself, find it hard to get into those high stools - hymph!! They are built for big people... Come one, come all...fun fun fun!! Tip - if you order the Peroni beer, you get the glass for free. At $5.50 a beer, it's consider a bargain.
(5)
Jennifer W.
I love the idea of this place. It's young and hip Italian, not the rustic and traditional type of Italian. It has the warehouse garage type feel, with large windows from floor to ceiling. I like the bicycling theme, with some fancy bikes hanging from the walls, though they look purely for decor. There are some nice racks outside too. There seems to always be a race playing on the projector, but also another television at the bar with a game on. It's a shame this place is hidden in a sea of parking and away from any street frontage. There are pizza combinations that can be served as a pizza, calzone, or panini. There are salad toppings that can be served as a salad or as a pizza (on top of the crust). I would say one pizza per person is way too much. I would go with one pizza per two people and get an appetizer, dessert, drink, etc. Aside from the waiter service, there is also a gelato, wine, and coffee bar. They serve Illy coffee and Naia gelato. The gelato are all neutral colors, none of that unnatural-looking food-coloring. They have a decent wine list and some fruity cocktails too. As for the beers on tap, there are a couple of California ones (Racer 5 and Sierra Nevada) and a couple of Italian ones (Peroni and Moretti). They do brunch too, which I'll have to come back for.
(4)
Christina L.
New Italian place in the Emeryville public market. Service: The servers here are pretty friendly. The first server I had here was amazing! He recommended that we try the chili oil and I loved it. And he was very prompt with our orders and refilling our drinks. A few other servers that we had here were good, but not as great as the first one (wish I remembered his name). Food: The pizza here is amazing! Belucci (sp?) - my favorite pizza here! Try it with added spinach. Yum! Salad pizza(s) - also amazing! the salad as fresh and the pizza breading went very well with it. gelato - the tiramisu was by far my favorite gelato here. highly recommended! Overall: I would absolutely recommend this place to others. They are reasonably priced and their food is wonderful!
(5)
Ariana C.
Food was a'ight. And they decided to add more tip to the tab on their own - as I discovered later on while looking through my credit card bill.
(1)
Bryce D.
Wife and I had seen this place before while we were getting our Peet's fix and we finally tried it out. Man, this place didn't disappoint at all!! We got the spinach salad with goat cheese, plums and almonds and we each got our own pizzas. Let's just say that we didn't have leftovers after 4 hours. We couldn't stop eating it!! This will be our go-to pizza place when we have our cravings. Service was a bit slow, but our waitress was great in explaining the menu to us since we were first timers! We will be back for sure
(4)
Mercy D.
Oh my gosh. Came here for the first time during a Yelp event and was introduced to the newest Hot Spot in E-ville! We were lucky enough to try a piece of some of the most unique pizzas in town... my personal fave was the Murino - pears, gorgonzola, mozarella and honey - kinda sweet, kinda salty and very different from the standard pizza I've gotten from other pizza places in the area. Cheese was stringy and the crust was near perfect; not too thick or thin, doughy or tough but kind of light with a little texture and has some flavor! In addition to their long list of unique pizzas they also have a nice modest list of wines, beers and cocktails to choose from. The two I got to try was the bellini and arancia rossa (blood orange), both excellent mixes! While you munch on your pizza and sip from your glass of wine/beer/cocktail/water you can watch the soccer game on the large screen TV. Yeah, they only play soccer! Or at least I think that's what I heard one of the servers say when someone asked about the Giants game... And if you don't like sports you can certainly just enjoy a nice conversation with your companion and appreciate the simple decor - the bikes hanging on the wall, the soccer memorabilia and the high ceiling that makes you think of a warehouse... I just wish they were open later! 11pm on Fri and Sat is just way to early..
(4)
Charles R.
After many trips finally a (slightly) discordant note. We ordered the piatto di salumi this morning and feel obliged to note that compared to earlier visits the meats had declined in quantity and quality. The portions of salumi were smaller, and only one was dry cured. The lomo was good but neither the salami or mortadella were worth the time. The olives were unchanged, but today's cheeses were uninspiring if innocuous. Grumble. But the friggin' pizza remains the best in town!
(5)
Wrecking B.
The food is delicious - 5 stars. However, the wait staff gossiped about customers all evening. The Asian guy wearing school-boy glasses, the African-American woman with red hair and the short guy with the blond hair dye from last night were heard talking about tables. They ran in and out the kitchen to gossip with one of the cook too. The reason for three stars included the staff behavior. They really disturbed the atmosphere with this display of juvenile behavior. Additionally, the place is loud. Apparently, they have never been to Italy because you don't sit with people at large tables you don't know. In short, call in and get your order to go.
(3)
Angela L.
It's.... okay. Every time I pass this place when I'm at Peets or public market, I peek in and wonder how the food is. Since I had the day off I decided to finally venture in and grab some food to go. I ordered the Bellucci pizza and the piatto di salumi & formaggi. The server was quick and friendly, so they get points there for sure. The food left a bit to be desired. The pizza was definitely not bad, but wasn't amazing. They make their own sausage, so I was expecting tons of flavor, but it was a bit plain to me. The piatto di salumi was good, but again didn't blow me out of the water. The chili oil is to die for though! Maybe I'll come back to try their gelato and the smoked salmon pizza I see everyone raving about. But with the prices they charge, I'd much rather get pizza from rotten city, cheeseboard, or arizmendi's.
(3)
Esther Y.
I've been to Hot Italian in Sacramento and was very surprised to see this place newly opened one day while walking by. Then I got the opportunity to come here for an intimate Yelp Elite event (which then caused my boyfriend and I to come here again on our own with a couple friends later!). We tried several pizzas, which I don't really remember anymore, but I liked the ones with arugula on them. They're pretty thin crust, so much so that you might have to fold your pizza in order to eat them without dropping everything. My favorite part of the night though was the chocolate pizza. This one: ZUCCHERO organic italian chocolate hazelnut spread rolled in our pizza crust and dusted with powdered sugar (serves 2-4) SOoOOOOOoooOOOOOoOOOO GOOD!!!!! Love.
(4)
John H.
Nice to see a Sactown eatery expanding to the Bay! Props to enterpreneur Andrea Lepore, part of the local Hot Italian that's been open a few years now in midtown Sac. Pizzas are thin, the giant oven imported from Italy, cool bikes hanging from the high brick walls. As with all thin crust pizza, I like to specify "dark bake" to make sure the crust is crispy on the edges and not gooey in the middle. I hope the rest of the (currently remodeling) Emeryville Public Market rebounds, and rises to the level of Hot Italian!
(4)
Vivian D.
I always wanted to try this place. Thin crust pizza was decent enough, but nothing really special. Their menu takes a while to decipher with all the symbols and codes to designate what category of food it is, so that was a bit annoying. It has a sleek modern clean feel inside.
(3)
Robert B.
This place has disappointed me again - third time in a row. They claim to be vegan-friendly but they seem to always be out of vegan cheese. Always. They need to do a better job on this front. Not everyone can eat diary. I hope management reads this and fixes the problem.
(1)
Erica B.
Delicious food, wonderful atmosphere, and top-notch service. We ordered the beignets, olives, and eggplant/goat cheese pizza. Currently in a food coma!
(5)
Noah N.
I was surprised how good this place was. I was helped by 3 different members of the staff amd they were SUPER! They were very helpful with what to order, we got two pizzas, one with olives tomatoes and basil which was hecka good and a pizza with some cured beef slices which was different but I was glad I tried it. The experience was much more enjoyable than other restaurants I have gone to in the bay street Emeryville area and I will go back for the service!
(5)
Nick M.
Great pizza, good drinks... Definitely order a scope of their gelato after dinner. Fun atmosphere in Emeryville right by the water.
(5)
Cece G.
We love the gourmet pizza here! Love that the crust is super thin and Crunchy! The ambience is so casual and comfortable! The service is fast and they are all friendly!
(5)
Maureen C.
My favorite kind of pizza is thin crust, and Hot Italian makes it really nicely. The decor is also really nice and cleancut, and there's a huge projection on the wall that often shows sports games. While there are some separate tables, there are also some long tables that you can share with other parties. The pizza combinations are things that I wouldn't have thought of on my own, but always sound delicious. Try the one with the potatoes; that one was definitely a pleasant surprise. Because it's thin crust, it might not be as filling but each pie is around $11-$15, so be prepared to pay around that much per person if you're with hungry people. I don't eat as much, and finishing half a pizza is usually not an incredible challenge. And leave room for dessert! Their gelato is delicious and comes in the cutest glasses!
(4)
Matthew W.
THIS IS JUST ABOUT THE PIZZA (CALZONE) ON A FIRST VISIT I fully went into this place thinking the pizza would be on-par with something like Dominoes, despite the claim of fresh/organic/etc ingredients. While I cannot say this is the best pizza I have had, it is definitely very good. The only complaint I have about the calzone specifically is that the sauce was not really distributed throughout, and just mostly gathered around the crest, which bothered me, since I love pizza sauces. Aside from that, the staff was friendly, the place was clean, and they had a large selection. The pizza wasn't quit worth the price, but I wasn't necessarily disappointed. I will definitely return to try the gelato though.
(3)
Alex M.
Hot Italian is a relatively new addition to the Emeryville Public Market, and it certainly outclasses most of the eateries you'll find in that area. It's a nice large space, perfect for big groups, and has a good amount of outdoor seating for the frequent sunny days. They also allow dogs if eating outside. The menu is meant to evoke an Italian pizzeria, with pizzas named after Italian celebrities (hence the name). There are dozens of pizzas to try, and having been there in large groups several times I've tried quite a few of them. These are thin crust style pizzas, six slices each - if you're hungry you can finish a whole one by yourself. The various combinations are quite delicious - my personal favorite is the prosciutto with a fried egg on top. Meals tend to be on the lighter side, which I like; I never leave feeling weighed down by too much food. They also serve calzones, various Italian beverages, and gelato for dessert. This probably the best (and most unique) pizza place in Emeryville.
(4)
Ashika N.
My husband and I moved to Emeryville about two months ago and have already been here five times - dining in and takeout. Their service is great. The staff is super welcoming and always willing to give advice on what to order. We've tried different pizzas every time and I have to say the Bellucci is by far our favorite.
(5)
Gregory E.
Visited unexpectedly, half an hour before their closure in a starving condition. Their pizza cured me of my condition, with an amazing taste. Service was top notch. Overall very positive experience and pizzas are highly recommended . Still can't forget the taste and can't stop thinking about the Pizza!
(5)
V W.
I've been here twice and it was a nice experience but would I say it's one of my favorite joint... not really. I'm not really into pizza unless it's on a gluten free crust but the pizza here was still good. I basically came here because it was the most convenient location from my hotel. The first night I came here I had a sausage pizza, which was delicious and my hubby had the salmon pizza, which he thought was out of this world amazing. Then we split a 99 Piatto di salumi & formaggi, which we both thought was very tasty and unique and one of the healthiest things on the menu. On my second visit I had the Citterio "panini", which is NOT a real panini but a pizza that is folded in half, which I ended up stripping off most of the ingredients and putting it on just a small piece of dough because my system just can't handle all that wheat... my bad. To lighten my carb load I ordered the Canalis salad, which had a mixture of olives, tuna + cannellini beans w/o onions and that was tasty also. My first bill came to $54 which was a little steep for me and this last visit came to $20 tax included + small cash tip because I ordered out. In a nutshell I'd say this place is good but not really my cup of tea... or should I say pizza? Overall service is super fast, friendly and accurate and prices are alright. I do recommend it to anyone who is a pizza fanatic but I'm personally not diggin' it... nothing personal. Good job HI!!!
(3)
Steve K.
I just came to terms with my obligation to share what I know vs hoard. They make phenomenal pizza. Day in. Day out. Reliably phenomenal. Not good just varying degrees of phenomenal. I do tend to ask for my pies done extra crispy. Which I recommend. But they take great ingredients and make a whole greater than it's parts. Also a generally happy and friendly place. It took me a while to believe this place was for real. . It seemed too slick. It is in a quasi mall. I kept expecting it to fail me. Finally figured out that it is just a great pizza place. Is it totally ready to be a successful franchise tomorrow? . Yes. Do they make awesome pizza with care as well as good espresso and clean tap beer? . Yes. So what's the hesitation? Eat while the eating is good.
(5)
S K.
A decent pizza place I wouldn't mind coming back if in the area. Had the Jovanotti and was pleased by how fragrant the mushrooms were. I also liked how the flavors of each ingredient stood out with each bite. The pepperoni made the pizza a bit more oily than what I'm used to. I had orange pepperoni grease run down my fingers one too many times. But no biggy, will just hold off on the pepperoni on my next visit. Seems like it would be fun to stop by and enjoy some gelato before going in for a mani/pedi next door.
(3)
Gail R.
After a long day of work I found this location on Yelp and gave it a try. Sat at the bar and had a great server / bartender. He was very through on how the pizza is made and what to expect. I got a killer salad w salami and garbanzo beans. Cant recall the name but it was super super good. Pizza was a veggie and super good as well. I really loved the chili oil to dip my crust in or drizzle over the pizza for a lil spice. All together I would go again and will now give the Sacramento location a try next time Im in town for work and I will go back to this one if Im in Emeryville again for work. I will say it was kinda $$$ but it is the Bay Area so I guess thats what you get.
(4)
Tamlyn W.
We happened on Hot Italian by accident, hungry after a trip to ikea, the food was NOT an accident! I am so sorry there isn't one in San Diego! Best Pizza since Rome! The vodka lemon cocktail was outstanding, not too sweet! Service was impeccable! Did I say I wish there was one in San Diego? Darn!!
(5)
Walid A.
I'm from Fresno, and as we passed by we saw this place. Figured Pizza... unique, let's go. I'm not rating the place bad, I enjoyed it, but I feel getting a Calzone and Diet Coke should not be $20+$5 tip for one. Maybe it's the area, but in Fresno $25 can literally get you 2 really good pizzas and there's no tip. Lot's of interesting choices, but none that were just traditional. Not even a build your own (unless I missed it, the menu struck me as loud with the black and white contrast). The names on the menu were difficult to pronounce and some ingredients were not what I wanted on a pizza, so making a choice was difficult. I'm sure all the pizzas are delicious, but you must also remember to cater to people from out of town. After all, IKEA is nearby and my guess is there are a lot of non-locals who visit who aren't used to this twist on pizza. Drop the price a few bucks, offer traditional ingredients with a lower price, maybe even offer 10" *more* personal sized pizzas for less money. I guarantee I'd come back. Good pizza, too expensive. Just a suggestion, but put a sign that says 'Please seat yourself and a waitress will help you'. I got confused on what to do when I came in - waitress also said that confusion happens a lot also.
(2)
Victor G.
Hot Italian is next to the Emeryville Public Market and Peet's Coffee. decor: high ceiling, warehouse setting, varnished italian communal tables. front side faces parking lot, another side, lenghty bar, 3rd-pizza and food station, 4th -wall. music: easy listening of many genres flatscreen: socceer service: hot italian bartender als tom cruise with unobtrusive demeanor, urbane charm, doubling as waiter.. eats Briatore pizza (5 cheese, 15) -fontina, gorgonzola dolce , crescanza? ,,,,,,, chewy, thin crust, mpst times crust not noticeable fantastic mix of cheeses, best italian pizza eaten! mama mia, hot italia pizza! pour: proseco (peach, strawberry, 6) -dry, sparkling white wine slightly fruit flavored - -yummy, packed a buzz. crumbs: -not sure of other pizzas here, but briatore rocked! -italian breakfast served till 2:30 -midafternoon, slow period, service not a problem.
(5)
Cindy L.
Expensive pizza consider its portion and and not much ingredient on it (cheese, meat or veggie). The pizza actually taste good but a little bit too chewy.
(3)
Rose G.
I LOVE pizza and finally had a chance to try Hot Italian. I sat at the counter, ordered a drink, spoke to the bartender and had some decent pizza. It was fine, I liked the pizza well enough, my drink was pretty good, but the prices are way too high for the quality and size. I will definitely skip it for less expensive places with better pizza in the future.
(3)
Cynthia L.
I'm so glad I finally made it here for lunch. Most entrees are thin crust pizzas but some can be ordered as paninis or calzones. I split a Magnini panini (smoked salmon, mozzarella, mascarpone cheese, dill). First of all, it was huge! Half a panini could have been a meal in itself for me on a regular day. It was delicious! The combination of salmon and mascarpone cheese is a huge winner in my book. Can't wait to go back for this exact sandwich. We also ordered the Murino (mozzarella, gorgonzola dolce cheese, seasonal pears, del rio farms honey) pizza at the recommendation of our server. It was quite tasty but VERY strong I wouldn't recommend it for newbies to cheese.
(5)
Hannah H.
I'm still scratching my head over the name of this place. I don't recall seeing any Italians in here, much less a hot one. It's probably just a hip name to attract the WTF-name lovers. I mean, it has to be better than "Sexy Pizza". Or "Warm Calzone in the Oven". C'mon man, I didn't ask to be the name guru. Maybe "Hot Italian" refers to the delectable dozen-plus pizzas they offer, each kicking it with a different personality. There's the Fiori, the last one I had, and my first time, I ate the Magnini. Both are quite yummy; I suggest you hold off putting any of the two different olive oils they provide on your slice until the first bite. The olive oils are a nice touch: one infused with chili peppers, the other infused with something minty that I'm not sure of the identity. No cheap powdered Parmesan or chili flakes here. But just as equally impressive as the pizza menu is the beverage one. Class up your pie with something like a gazillion wines here. It ain't a winery, but you wouldn't care. There's even a small bar with a TV over it for football games and stuff, but without the obnoxious drunkards going "AWWWWW WHAT THE FFFUUUU" at the fumble. Oh yeah, dark chocolate gelato. It's as chill and seductive as... whatever hot Italian does show up at this place.
(4)
N L.
This was without a doubt the best pizza we've ever had. Smoked salmon sliced thin on a creamy sauce with just a hint of dill. The crust was chewy and crispy and perfect. Okay just because we were the oldest people in there didn't make it any less a good experience. We had good service and great gelato , we definitely will go back
(5)
Dhruba B.
It's a shame in the name of Italian hospitality. Italian joints are known for their hospitality. Last time went there for a cup of mocha. The server/bartender shouted the bill before I had my first sip.
(1)
Virginia Margherita F.
Pizzas are authentic italian style! My husband didn't like their calzone too much, it was a little dry. But the ingredients are really good and authentic Italian. Gelato is also pretty good. The place is clean. This is my new favorite pizza place in town!
(5)
Jocelyn B.
These two things go very well together. Hot; things of the steamy variety Italian; tangy spices, a taste for the finer things in life Bravo to the Emeryville local which took all the things I loved about visiting Hot Italian in Midtown, and made them better. IE: open and expansive dining space, the Italians ARE hotter....and the pizza is steamy, tangy, and creative.
(5)
Renata V.
I had an awesome experience here last night! The food is great and so is the atmosphere. The perfect place to socialize, watch a game on a large screen, and to feist & toast with a group or just a date. Love the green spirit of delivery by bike! You guys rock! Cheers, Brian!
(5)
Chante G.
Stopped by the public market to grab lunch. Yummmy srawberry bellini. We ordered the jovanotti, fresh ingredients, thin flaky crust. Im in love. Amazing olive oils, chili pepper amazballs and rosemary to die for. Great service. Not badly priced. Our sever Eric was great. Would definitely come back
(5)
Amy J.
I love the play on words of this place. I mentioned Hot Italian and my friend said, "A hot Italian? Where?" Sadly, I was referring to the pizza place. I know they serve other things but they mainly specialize in pizza which is fine by me. They even have gelato here which is very reasonably priced. The vibe in here is pretty mellow and the long tables make it a great place to gather a group for a quick bite before going to the movies or something. With so many different pizzas to choose from, you can't really go wrong with any of the items on the menu. I like the bicycle theme here too. I will be back, oh yes, I will.
(5)
Annie G.
We were in the area and found this pizza place. So glad we did! It is located in the emeryville public market not far from Bay Street. We were greeted by the friendly staff as soon as we walked in. It's communal dining which as a rule I don't care for, but the restaurant's ambiance feels airy and bright so I didn't feel I was dining with strangers. Our server was attentive and friendly, as were all the employees we interacted with. The pizza was delicious and came out quickly. Best thin crust I've had in a long time. My kids loved watching the pizza being made. We ordered gelato which was also very good. We will definitely go back next time we are in Emeryville.
(5)
Eunice W.
Number of times visited: 8 Favorites: * Every single thin crust pizza they make! Thin crust that is crunchy on the outside and has a nice chew on the inside...don't know how they do it...I rarely eat the crust on pizza but this place I eat the WHOLE pizza. *Arugula Salad - Fresh! and anytime I ask them to put some on my pizza they do and it is great! *Anti Pasta - the meats are from Italy. Presentation is awesome! Surprise find: It may be seasonal but the pumpkin with mascarpone cheese was amazing! The fennel sausage is wonderfully flavorful and made on site! Staff: Friendly even on the busiest days! Atmosphere: Seems stark at first - all black and white...but once the food arrives (all on black pizza boards with handles) you understand why. The food is the star of this place. The colors on the pizzas and salads, the aromas of the food...you forget the stark interior. Reviewers Note: I have lived all over the country (NY, Boston, Seattle, LA) and traveled Asia and Europe and this is one of the best pizzas I have had. Must try if you are in the Oakland/Emeryville area.
(5)
R C.
Since my last visit I found out I have celiacs this is the ONLY gluten free pizza that's UBER UBER GOODIE!!! Don't even bother anywhere else with their cardboard pizza this is the only one worth the money!!!! Perfect Hot Italian !!!!
(5)
Katrina H.
As far as amazing local businesses go, there isn't too much to write home about in Emeryville. But Hot Italian is an exception. It's kind of sad how often I come here, but it is just SO convenient for my location and on nights where I'm feeling lazy and just want to order a damn pizza, Hot Italian is a godsend. What's great about their pizza is that I don't feel TOO guilty eating it. Their ingredients are so fresh and delicious and the crust is pretty thin. The pies are a bit pricey, but you really get what you pay for. If I wanted a super heavy, fatty, cheesy pizza, I would go for that Dominoes/Pizza Hut/whatever deal, but when I want good quality, light pizza, I go with Hot Italian. My ole reliables are the Fiori and the Murino. Oh, and they also have a really yummy gelato stand! Dessert anyone?? :)
(5)
Linda T.
Dropped by for lunch and took advantage of their many tv's to watch the World Cup. Wow! What a fun experience! Great bar, delicious snacks, creative pizzas and fabulous service, thanks to Sarah, in a jam packed place. Super crowd- lots of energy, a real energized community. I imagine without the sports angle, this might be a fairly open space, but I think that it's "all inclusive" feel lends itself to watching just about any sport with a crowd of like minded folks. Happy and noisy, you won't be having much of a private conversation, but it's not that kind of place to start with. Worth a try!! Looking forward to returning soon...
(5)
Marck N.
Really good pizza here. I had the Fiori, while my partner had the Bortolami. We shared the pear salad. The pear salad was tasty, but if I ordered it as my main meal, it was too small. The pizza's were good. The Bortolami was very smoky in flavor. Quite a difference from what you would expect from any pizza. The Fiori was more light and delicate and tasty. The arugula added a taste of bitterness to the savory prosciutto. It was an enjoyable lunch. Not to heavy and not sleep coma.
(4)
Michael B.
Amzain crust. 2 days. Chewy crispy. Sit by kitchen and watch it made. My new favorite. Terrific service. Real pepperoni.
(5)
Amy O.
The seating/ordering situation is a little strange. However, we had a great server, so no big deal! You go in, grab a menu, seat yourself (communal), then they serve you. I ordered the salad over flatbread that has spinach, bleu cheese, peaches...it was awesome. And they serve it with this olive oil you put on the bread. Loved! It just needed red onions. But, hey...I am an onion fanatic. The seating outside could use actual tables. I guess they don't want people lingering there without actually purchasing something...I get it. I think I'll be back. For sure.
(4)
Alameda L.
Just finished eating my leftovers and boy, those were terrific! Sausage and ricotta, pancetta and arugula, and something delightfully pumpkiny - is there really much better than leftover pizza? This pizza is good. Worth trying, but I can think of several places in the near East Bay that I like better for various reasons. The Forge at Jack London, because their dining room and service is terrific. East End Pizza in Alameda, that just has some special pizza mojo (and an easily readable small menu). Hot Italian does pizza right, but it's just not my style when it comes to "Not eating on my lap in front of a television" style pizza. A few things that won't bring me back: Being pressured to buy way more food than necessary (it makes me so uncomfortable!), the impersonal feeling of the white plastic dining room, the extra long menu, the extra-room temperature red wine that was poured at very different heights in the glasses. Good food, Hot Italians, just not my cup of pizza experience tea.
(3)
Kaylan W.
This is a review for their delivery service. I've been to the Hot Italian before for brunch with a fiend and my boyfriend. The food was amazing. So when I saw them on TryCaviar I got excited and ordered a pizza for me and my borfriend. I live in North Oakland, a very short drive to Emeryville. At most 5mins away. With that short a distance I expected the pizza to be to my home quickly. Sadly that was not the case. TryCaviar tracks the delivery to make sure it gets to its destination on time, so when I noticed the tracking time say 10 mins for more than 10mins I was confused and irritated. Where was my pizza? Why is it taking so long? It had been waiting an hour when I received a call from TryCaviar. The carrier a.k.a the delivery boy was taking his sweet time with the delivery and its obvious that he didn't know he was being tracked. I Immediately had them refund the money back to me including the gratuity.I got a call from TryCaviar support letting me know the carrier would deliver the food in 30mins. Sure enough the delivery boy Thomas(name provided by TryCaviar) brought the pizza along with an attitude. The tone in his voice and his posture said "I don't want to be here" and came off a bit rude. The disappointment doesn't stop there. I opened the pizza to find it lukewarm not hot and it tasted mediocre. It was also very small. It was so small that I could eat it by myself and still be hungry. I paid $17+dollars for that pizza. I was so disappointed that we went and grabbed sushi. I expected better from The Hot Italian. Whats the point in having a delivery service if you're not going to delivery it on time. This place is not meant to delivery. They should have a pick up only service. At least the food will be hot when you get it and probably get better customer service. Never ordering from here again. I'll stick to my usual pizza places.
(1)
Joanna S.
Really good, super thin crust pizza, with a nice selection of different toppings. Also Calzones. Nice selection of tasty salads. The menu is a little confusing with various choices represented by graphics (use the legend at the top!). Prices are not cheap, but not outrageous. But the food quality is first rate. Atmosphere is casual,minimal, hip and a little noisy, with all tables for eight, used communally. Not the place for a romantic dinner or a serious business discussion. Server was knowledgeable, friendly and efficient. A good choice if you're going to the movies at Emery Bay Studio 10, right across the parking lot.
(4)
Allan A.
Great pizza (thin and crunchy just like the pizza from italy ) and they have a good selection of salad on top of a pizza bread definitely i will come back to this place
(4)
Bianca C.
Great place to go after a shopping trip in Emeryville :) My go-to food is the Fiori pizza and Sozzani salad. Good amount to share for 2-3 people. And go-to gelato? Don't have any! So many delicious flavours to choose from that's it's awesome and fun to change it up every time I go lol :)
(4)
Tom H.
One of the best pizza in the area, bar none. If you want to look at exotic bikes and great pizza, this is the place. Oh, forgot about the Gelato. You can't talk about Hot Italian without talking about their Gelato. It's so good, you'd smack a grandma in the vagina. There I said it. It has to be said.
(5)
Melissa C.
The pizza here is thin crust style pizzas with really nice combinations of toppings to choose from. This isn't your standard pizza joint with your regular pepperoni and cheese toppings. Come prepared to try pizza with prosciutto, arugala, fennel sausage, pears, etc...this pizza resembles the types of pizza we had when we went to Italy. They also have salads and cheese plates here that are good to share. The rosemary and chili infused olive oils they have on the tables taste great with the pizzas too. The atmosphere is open and casual. They always seem to have a soccer game playing on the projection screen. This joint seems to be a fan of bikes, too. They've got sweet bikes hanging on the wall, which I think is great because I'm a fan of cycling. Overall it's a great place to bring a group or a date on a Friday night and share some thin crust goodness topped with quality ingredients.
(4)
Dianne Y.
I think the pizza would have been a whole lot better if it had gotten out to me right after it was done. was standing in line, and an employee asks if i'm getting pizza for here or to-go. I say For here. ordered my pizza at the counter like everyone else did. The man did not ask if I wanted my order for here or to-go. waited a really long time (more than 30mins), trying to chat away our ever-growing impatience. Finally flagged down a waiter and gave him our names. (We had hoped no one else with the same names claimed our food). The waiter brought out our orders in to-go boxes. The cheese on the pizza had already gotten into the hardening stage. :[ Why don't they just give out number tags so the waiters can more easily find who to give the food to than trying to figure out who is Eric, Emily, and Erin? And I would think if a customer doesn't mention "to-go" or "take-out", you should assume it's "for here". The gelato tasted very fresh. The panini is more like two halves of a pizza folded together. If it means anything to you about price range and classiness, you might like to know that there's a pinarello on the wall.
(3)
Jessica P.
I am so glad this place exists. Cool Italian race bikes on the wall, long communal tables, good wine and most importantly, pizza! I've tried a few things on the menu and can say I love the briatori (smoked mozzrella, fontina, crescenza, gorgonzola dolce cheese), it's an intoxicating dalliance of dairy on your tongue. I also enjoyed the fiori with arugula and proscuitto. It's a very light, thin crust with fresh tasting ingredients that slap the roof of your mouth with an Italian fist. Whenever we're running errands or in the neighborhood when the belly rumbles, I'm gonna find me some Hot Italian and quell my animal urges long enough to get a table and devour my meal.
(5)
Nancy T.
Mmm, this is a pretty good pizza place! Unfortunately, we went when they were closing, so we only got to try one thing, which was the truffle oil pizza with mushrooms and arugula :) Between me and my fiance, we scarfed the whole thing down, which was about 4 slices each! Now, don't judge us...because their crust is really thin and the pizza is quite tasty, so it's hard not to inhale the whole thing! We really wanted to try their dessert pizza with nutella, but our waiter closed down the kitchen before asking us if there was anything else we wanted :( So alas, we didn't get to. Boo! Minus 1 star for not the greatest or most attentive service, although I do admit that we came rather close to closing. This place reminds me of a lot of fancier, more modern pizzas I've tried in LA, but besides the hipster environment, modern vibe and cool decor...the pizza really isn't that great! The only thing that really makes this place more special is the fact that they have two bottles of oil on the table to go with your pizza - one that is infused with rosemary and the other that is infused with a spicy chili! What a cool concept!!
(4)
Devante L.
I haven't had the pizza but they overcharge for drinks and they under pour their alcohol. I wanted a crown and coke but got mostly coke. I bartend so I know pours and mix taste. Plus customer service was terrible. The waiter was rude not only to me, but also to other customers except regulars. I really don't recommend this place for a fun atmosphere but I've never tried the pizza. They do have nice decor however.
(2)
Karmina R.
I'm a big fan of this place, I've been here a few different times now. I love their pizza and drinks best, but their gelato is amazing as well. If you like Sangria definitely try theirs. At the moment they have an Apple Pie drink instead and it's soo good! You can dine in or get food to go, but I love eating here. It's always really clean and their service is great. Every employee has always recommended great food/drinks for me. I especially love their bartender, Billy. Will definitely keep coming back. Thanks Hot Italian!
(5)
Nina L.
Stumbled upon this place after decades of following up on reviews and recommendations for "authentic New York" pizza in every county of the Bay Area. As a former Brooklynite, I was searching for a specific profile that matched my memories. This is the very closest it has ever come. I've had great wood fired California pizza all over the bay, but this is different. Oh and the service was really great for such a casual place.
(5)
Jennifer Y.
Funny I had forgotten the name of this place until I read someone else's poor review and I thought, oh, I know of an Italian place I didn't like either. Sure enough it was the same one based on pictures and location. Really wanted to love this place the moment I walked in, I love open space, the greyscale concept. Anyone who knows me well knows I love Italian and pizza, not the Round Table kind, but the Delfino, Vega, Beretta, Gialina, flour+water kind. It's Black Friday and we get great parking by the front of the shop. I'm so excited because not only is this pizza place visually appealing, it's also near Emeryville (shopping!). O.k. so we walk in from the front entrance (there is a back that comes in from the food court) and don't see a lot of folks. Granted it's a major shopping day/holiday for some/lunch time on technically a weekday. We are not greeted by the servers. We guess we should take a seat so we make our way to the talking waiters and ask if we can take a seat. They nod and go back to talking. We are now sitting near the back area by the waiter/service area. We ask for menus after catching someone's eye&check yelp reviews deciding what to order. After a few minutes of silence (minutes is an approximation but if no one is in need of service, with multiple waiters free plus no water or waitstaff help and the customers have to pointedly ask for menus and service) we decided to grab some Pete's next door and get going doing some shopping! Wasted minutes on a waste of time. Pete's greeted us in the door, took our order, smiled, gave us a coupon and asked about our Thanksgiving. Too too bad we didn't get to eat any Italian. Sorry, but just at that level of service I'm not interested in coming back.
(1)
Megan D.
Friendly staff, fresh ingredients, overall satisfied. Try have infused olive oils: one with rosemary and the other with a variety of peppers (this oil replaces chili flakes). Got the #7 as a calzone, delicious! May get it lite on the olives next time though, made it slightly too salty.
(4)
Petra S.
Finally got to dine here tonight with the hubby. Our waiter recommended the #25 which is a prosciutto, mushroom, arugula with truffle oil pizza. It was excellent! The Perfect Italian style pizza with thin, crispy and chewy crust, not soggy at all. The flavors blended perfectly and it was just the right size for two hungry people. The decor is fun, there are Italian racing bikes on the wall, a tv and also a large projector with both playing soccer on tv. They also serve homemade gelato although, we didn't get to try it this time. But since we do live just across the street from Public Market, I'm sure we'll go back soon enough! Definitely, in my opinion one of the best places in the east bay for pizza besides Cheeseboard and Arizmhendi's!!
(5)
Aaron C.
I fell in love with this place while living in Sacramento. Wife and I tried probably every pizza on the Winter menu. Ate there WAY too often. The Sac location is not the crowd I would normally enjoy being around, so we'd order out. Moved to oakland, was EXTREMELY happy to find out there was a location in Emeryville. We've been there more times than I can count in the past 6 months. It's pretty much our go-to place for pizza. Jim @ the bar is totally awesome! Can't recommend this place to people looking for light and fresh pizza made in a "traditional" fashion. Just wish this spot had a wood fired oven like the Midtown Sac location. Oh well!!
(5)
Melinda Y.
Oh, how quickly the failed Pluto's was replaced with Hot Italian. Their menu was unique in which each item can be made into either a pizza, sandwich, or salad. Of course, I had to sample a pie...MATERAZZI pizza (pepperoni, olives, tomato sauce, mozzarella, fontina cheese). Looking at the beyond thin crust (ie floppy pizza), I was disappointed because it took over half a pie before my brain even registered that I was full. Other reviewers commented on the oiliness. Indeed, it was. It took 2 napkins to soak up as much as I could. The flavors were good but the there could've been more ingredients for $14. The waiter was nice enough to deliver our take-out outside as we soaked in the elusive sunlight. I noticed a dairy case of gelatos! How perfect for impending summer heat!
(2)
Kota T.
So why the 1 Star amidst a sea of good reviews? Our salad was excellent, pizza was good, BUT our water bottle was growing mold on the inside and we only noticed after drinking the glass from the bottle the server poured. Nothing worse than an unsanitary restaurant - not to mention mold being dangerous. I don't care how good the food is if it ain't safe to eat. We mentioned this to our server and she gave a superficial apology - didn't really seem surprised or concerned. Boo, yuck and dangerous.
(2)
d o.
Love the pizza here especially the fiori....If you are at EmeryBay or just going to Urban Outfitters, this is the place to stop and grab a bite or get some gelato.
(5)
Shawn C.
When hunger struck, we randomly pulled in in the Market Place lot (after all, I really have no idea where to look for food in Emeryville). Glancing in the window, I was immediately drawn to the red Bianchi, a spitting image of my old racing Bianchi, hanging on the wall among other fine Italian racing bikes. Intrigued, I insisted we must head inside. We took seats at one of the long family-style tables and in minutes I had a pint of ice-cold Racer 5 plunked down in front of me. Ordered a Briatore calzone. Admired the handlebar clothes racks on the wall while waiting (yes I love all things bicycle). A soccer match played on the giant projection screen behind me. The smell of pizzas and calzones baking away in the huge steel oven in the exposed kitchen had me drooling. Then it arrived. Different looking and different tasting than your average calzone, but I mean different in a good way: all puffy, mangled, and full of delicious fondue-like cheeses with a smoked flavor. Holy Cipollini, that is one delicious calzone! Another Racer 5 please! I became an instant fan of Hot Italian that night. Next time I find myself in Emeryville, I know exactly where I'm heading when the hunger hits. (Can we get one in San Francisco please??) EDIT: why no Giro d'italia on the TVs?
(5)
Nina B.
Hot Italian should move to Oakland, give the boot to Boot & Shoe. Wooo!
(5)
JBbung b.
They have few outside seats so we went with our dog after a walk. Their pizza was delicious! Their think crust pizzas are cooked perfectly. And the spicy olive oil you get to dip your pizza is also delicious!!
(5)
Sarina C.
Hot Italian always hits the spot on days when I don't feel like cooking and/or am craving pizza STAT. It boasts a super modern and hip vibe, and the service staff is always friendly and helpful. The seasonal menu (while a little pricey) always has great options; in general, the thin-crust pizzas are SUPER YUMMY. Love the beer and wine selection, too! Introverts, be warned: it's a very casual, open seating environment, so if you're uncomfortable with potentially sitting next to complete strangers during dinner, then maybe order for takeout. Big plus: the takeout service is super seamless and speedy, which is why my husband and I never hesitate to order one online for pick-up. In sum, great food, great service! Gelato is awesome too, and LOVE the dog-friendly patio so my furry best friend can come with. :) Visit this place when you're in Emeryville!
(4)
Jannie Q.
We walked into this restaurant randomly after realising that the public market is under renovation. This place serves pizzas, salads, paninis and calzones. The pizzas are all handspun, thin crusted and baked in the professional oven. The panini is huge because they basically use the same pizza dough but fold the crust in half and make it into a sandwich. And then they charge you $14-16 for the panini. I don't Think that they should charge so much for a sandwich just for their convenience of using the same size pizza dough. Make the panini regular sandwich size and keep the price less than $10 would make more sense. The pizza we ordered (tomato and cheese) was "meh." Nothing special other than ingredients were fresh. Service was quite good but servers were attentive and refilled at our iced tea without us asking. Overall, it's a decent "backup" restaurant if you're in the neighbourhood already but I wouldn't go out of my way to come here.
(3)
Mike K.
Pizza has excellent thin crusts. The employees were very friendly and the atmosphere was nice and modern. We recommend the Spinach salad and Pesto pizza. The food came quickly and it seemed like a popular place especially for big groups. Wasn't too overpriced either and had a simple, straightforward menu.
(4)
Joanna M.
Went there for dinner tonight. Delicious pizzas and salads. Really liked our dinner and found a table outside on the patio. Not too much outdoor seating if u want to be served but once we snagged a table, service was great.
(4)
Frank R.
Nice big area for casual dining. They offer many variations of pizza. A gluten free pizza is available for $4 more and it's smaller than the 13" personal size. I ordered the calzone which was HUGE! The filling, sausage, ricotta and mozzarella was pretty good nothing to write home about. There's just so much dough and the top of it collapsed. Calzones are supposed to keep that dome shape not fall on top of itself. I would go back because it's close, the service was decent and I'd like to try some other offerings on the menu.
(3)
Joanna L.
Unique pizza combos, casual group friendly space, helpful servers. Yep, I'm a fan! Among three people, we shared a salad and two pizzas. All were delicious, and the flavors really compliment each other. * Canalis salad- The dressing really tied all the ingredients together (mixed greens, tuna, olives, red onions, cannellini beans, and pecorino romano cheese). * Basso pizza- One of the two pizzas that have pesto on it. I liked how it also had artichoke hearts and cherry tomatoes. * Fiori pizza- The truffle oil added a unique flavor. Love me some prosciutto, as well. Topped with arugula to add some freshness. Other notes- - You can order several menu items as a pizza, calzone, or salad. You got options, son. - They have chili-infused oil on the table. Drizzle on your pizza for an extra kick. - There are mostly long communal tables with a few smaller standing tables on the. side. Good place for groups and VERY kid-friendly. I will come back to taste the other pizzas. They have such unique combinations, and I kept eyeing what other people were getting. Gotta taste the rainbow, ya?
(4)
Rob L.
We were staying at the Hyatt across the street and that night we were so tired and hungry that we just wanted to grab something really quick to eat. We walked across the street to check out Hot Italian and saw that the place looked cool, trendy and somewhat upscale. A quick search on Yelp yielded a few 4 or 5 star ratings from some of my trusted Yelp friends in the Bay Area. So we decided to give it a go and we are glad that we did. This is what they call a "pizza bar" which is probably one of the fancier pizza places out there, which actually looked more like a gastropub at first sight. There's no to-go counter and you place your order with the bartender. STELLA: Just like the name, the pizza was truly stellar! Made with a nice blend of Mozzarella and Crescenza (a very soft Italian cheese with a creamy texture), the pizza had a rich aroma and a distinct flavor. It was topped with prosciutto parma and mushrooms. The ham was delicious and it was not overly salty which we really liked. The crust was thin and not too filling, and it can be perfectly paired with a good beer. AQUILANI: An arugula salad tossed with squash, pumpkin seeds, walnuts and fresh pomegranate. October/November was the perfect season for pomegranate and the seeds were sweet and juicy. The dressing was delicious but on the lighter side (good!) and it did not overwhelm the freshness of the salad. Prices were on the higher end but this is not your typical pizza joint, and the quality was superb so it's worth every penny. This is truly the definition of a neighborhood gem. We'll definitely return for a dine-in experience the next time we visit the Oakland area.
(4)
Rebecca P.
Great atmosphere, friendly, and fast service! I am visiting from out of town and my friend brought me here to share his favorite pizza and salad. I must say I am very pleased and impressed! I would recommend this place for dates, families, and quick meals!
(5)
Amanda A.
First!!!! The olive oil infused wit chilli peppers is a must on the pizza!!!! I wish they sold bottles of this ! The pizza was great , really thin crust not doughy at all, great toppings , full on bar alway a plus They serve pizza, calzones and sandwiches
(5)
Samantha P.
I love love personal pizzas, beer and gelato and this place has it all ! They have one of my favorite IPAs on tap which is Racer 5 :) Some menu items can be made as pies, calzones, salads, and sandwiches, but majority of them are pizza pies. Our server helped us decide which pizzas to order. Im sorry I cant remember what they were called but mine had pears, honey, and gorgonzola and I added prosciutto. This pizza has no sauce added and was very very delicious. The boyfriend's pizza was a meaty one with like 2 or 3 different meats on it, along with mushrooms and red sauce. The table has a bottle of oil infused with peppers that you can add on your pizza. The chili is pungent without being unbearably spicy. The 2 pizzas and 2 beers came out to $49 without tip and I still had half a pizza to take home. The server tried to sell us gelato too but we were just too full and he seemed kinda grumpy when we didnt want any :x Other than that he was really nice and helpful. Will be back to try different pizzas and more IPA ...and maybe a gelato next time :)
(4)
Hajy A.
Great pizza and calzone in the bay area! If you are coming to watch some soccer, then this place has a great atmosphere, and a lot of fans are coming too)))
(5)
Tiffany D.
What's not to like?! Hot Italian is quite attractive. They have thin crust pizzas with gourmet toppings, salads, cheese and charcuterie plates, alcohol and gelato. I dropped in with a girlfriend for a glass of wine, and we ended up devouring an entire pizza, and partaking in the chile oil goodness. The service is always friendly and casual. This place even is good for the kiddos. I highly recommend checking out this hottie!
(4)
Carol L.
Not sure why everyone's so crazy about this place, for me it's a solid 3 STAR. Great location, great store decoration. Pizza taste was relatively plain, I was also not a big fan of their chili oil. Great place to grab a beer or bite after work, but just don't expect anything special from their food. Or did I expect too much from this place?
(3)
Berrin Y.
Looking for dinner after 9:00 is crazy around here. This place claims to be open until 10:00 but just try getting served! Plenty of staff still here but no more dinner service. What a joke. They need to make it clear online that dinner service ends at 9:00 so people don't waste a trip. Getting refused at the door ain't that classy. We will never return no matter what time of day it is.
(1)
Steven M.
BEST PANINI EVER. The worse part is, I didn't even order the panini. I was fortunate enough that my girlfriend was stuffed off the appetizers. Words can't explain how delicious the food is in this place. The bathroom concept of this place is sanitary and awesome. Service on the bit of slow side due to only one man attending to the whole place. A bit pricy, will come back though!
(4)
Catie F.
This ain't no Domino's. Hot Italian is much closer to "the real thing" than most U.S. pizza places get. We are talking about high quality, thin-crust pizza using fresh ingredients in inspired combinations. I love the perfect crispy/chewy balance of the crust here, and ESPECIALLY the fact that you can dip your crust in the spicy chili oil (or rosemary oil if you're not a fan of the hotness). The menu is fairly small with just a few, traditional Italian starters (meats, cheeses, olives, etc.). We got a sampler plate and were pleased with the selection and the quality if offered: a variety of tasty meats, some cheeses, olives, hot peppers, arugula, marcona almonds and pears - served with toasted, rosemary pizza crust so you can kind of mix and match in many combinations. Likewise, you can order most menu items as a pizza, calzone, panini or salad (or a pizza-salad) - so basically, pick the toppings you want to eat, and the style in which you want to eat them, and you're good to go. Dessert is on the menu (think: chocolate-hazelnut or fig and ricotta calzones) - but I don't know how anyone could steer away from the amazing quality gelato station. YUM. Another pro: the service. The hosting, bussing, and serving staff were all very helpful and nice. The first time we came for takeout, and our pizza was missing the ricotta - so the manager made up for it by giving us a $20 gift card. A couple of things to work on: At times the restaurant does get busy and seems understaffed. Also, the menu variety is not too strong - I wouldn't recommend this if you don't want traditional italian pizza, or if you're looking for proteins other than the classic italian meats (no chicken or tofu here, though they do have one pizza with smoked salmon).
(4)
Andrew C.
Emeryville Public Market is the second location for Hot Italian. Clean modern decor with a bicycle theme. You get a big bottle of chili infused oil with your silverware and napkins ( yelp.com/biz_photos/hot-… ) I went with a #10 Pantani (bresaola, arugula, mozzarella, shaved grana padano) in panini form which I'm regretting. It was $14 for pizza and $10 for panini. The panini is medium thickness ~10" baked pizza dough round for the bread that is folded over the fillings and sliced ( yelp.com/biz_photos/hot-… ). I had trouble seeing any meat in the sandwich ( yelp.com/biz_photos/hot-… ) so did some exploring. The motto for the panini should be "LIke our pizza, just half the fillings, but all the dough" as you can see 1 layer of the bresaola on one side of the dough (scattered like a pizza so not even a full layer) with the cheese, arugula, and tomato on top for a not good bread to filling ratio ( yelp.com/biz_photos/hot-… ). Eventually I just discarded the top layer of dough and ate the bottom like a pizza slice. I've heard good things about their pizza so may give that a try, if I'm in the area. The panini (at least the one I had) is a definite pass.
(2)
Tim C.
Great, unique beer selection. Pizza was solid but not blow-your-socks-off. The chili-infused olive oil was a fantastic addition, though. Happened to visit while the Tour de France was in full swing, making the ambience perfect. Loved the space and a great staff.
(4)
Mark T.
This place would have gotten 4 stars if not for the attitude of the main guy who runs the bar (I believe he might be the owner) and the high prices. We were there for the nba finals and wanted to stay through the game but the owner kept coming around to shove the check in our faces even though I told him I would get gelato in a bit. I finally gave in to his nagging and got the gelato, after which he wasted no time in bringing our check. Really dude? The restaurant wasn't even packed. We paid almost $100 for a meal that should have costed $60 at most and you were obnoxiously rude. The food was overall really good. We recommend the fiori and casalegno pizzas. We would not recommend the piatto di bresaola. It was underwhelming - the cheeses were nothing special and the meats were boring. The pizza crust bread that came with it though was good. The coffee gelato was delicious! Don't know if I'll be back even though the pizzas were great.
(3)
Regina S.
Actually 3.5 stars. Wanted a place nearby so I could order to go and bring it back to my hotel room. Appreciated the industrial sleek design of this establishment but it certainly didn't cause one to want to linger as the bare bones decor and the coldness it imparted gave it a more "eat-n-go" kind of place. I sat at the bar and placed my order. Citterio pizza with mozzarella, prosciutto, spinach and parmigiano plus a salad with baby greens, pear, dried cranberries, Gorgonzola and pine nuts. Had a nice glass of wine while I waited. Let's just say the crust and quality ingredients were spot on. The problem I had is that the pie was undercooked. I know when cooking at such high degrees, oven time is minimal but you still have to use your eyes to gauge the doneness of the pizza. In minutes Neapolitan pies go from hot to cool. I was only steps away from the restaurant when I opened the box and prepared to dig in and the heat was completely gone. The good thing was the quality of the crust and other toppings still produced a very good pie albeit a cold one. The salad was good too. If I ate here again, I would eat in so I could enjoy one fresh out of the oven.
(4)
Kristi B.
I think I've been here three times this week. The pizza here is so yummy and not too greasy. Their salads make you forget you're eating a salad.
(4)
J G.
I ordered a few pizzas to go and I was underwhelmed. The pizza is extremely bland. There are too many good pizza places in the area for me to chose this one again.
(2)
Sam A.
We came here for lunch and got "meh" service - the bartender was new, and the seasoned workers just seemed to be working around him rather than helping. The pizza was OK - not nearly as good as advertised. I likely wont be back. There was nothing about this place that stood out really - other than they sell a ton of Merch.
(3)
Sebastian M.
One of the best outta the box pizzas i ever had try the #43 with mushrooms bomb.com . the servers are awesome and the atmosphere is popping good food great brews and a cool lay out! Did i mention how good their picante oil is?
(5)
Jan B.
Ok, so I am pizza snob. I make a pretty good pizza myself and take pride in dough and best ingredients. I've also had pizza in many places, including a few excellent small pizzerias in Italy. View this as my way of saying I like good pizza, and have an idea of what it should taste like. Hot Italian delivered in terms of classic flavors and a pretty good base! I had a Jovanito and it was rather nice. Slightly darkened bottom, nice cheese and prosciutto. The closest to what I consider authentic I've had in a little while in a restaurant. Coupled with an authentic, unpretentious wine list and friendly, professional service makes it a good 3.5 stars for me. I am yet to taste the gelato...
(4)
Alex H.
The Magnini pizza at Hot Italian is about as good as it gets. Its extra thin crust is topped with delicious sliced smoked salmon, mascarpone cheese and sprinkles of fresh dill. I am always on the fence about smoked salmon because it can overwhelm a dish but the thin slices paired with the other toppings take this pizza to the brink of perfection and the hot chile oil sends it over the edge. The pizzas are right around $20 and about the perfect size for two adults. I order my pizzas to go and it on average takes 10 minutes until its ready so if you are calling in for a pick up be aware so you don't end up with a cold pizza. Pick up for to go orders is at the bar on the far left, and there is one chile oil included in every pizza!
(5)
Tinna H.
Came in for a late brunch. We settled on two pizzas between two. One just isn't quite enough for two people, but then two is where you both get to stuff yourselves silly. The service is outstanding. I like the thin crust of the pizza. There's plenty of parking. While I'm a little sad about all the different places in the Public Market closing down, there's one thing I am happy about ~ the addition of Hot Italian!
(4)
Jeffrey L.
It's all about the Picante Oil here. I've been wanting to try this place ever since I drove by it coming from Ikea/Bay Street. and it's been a minute since I've been to the Farmer's Market. They have this monochromatic + minimalist + cycling theme to it. Simple and clean look. The pizzas are similar to Pizza Antica - thin crust pizza with bougie toppings (pancetta, prosciutto, arugula). The prices are a bit higher, but coming here for the oil is worth it. The waitress said they infuse the olive oil with 4 or 5 different peppers in house and they have no plans to sell it, but they really should. My wife and I didn't know it was spicy, but it was a nice surprise and it added a nice kick to the pizza. I practically poured it all one the slice. Not sure it was the healthiest thing to do, but it was worth it.
(4)
K G.
We were hesitant to go in as we thought it was just like Pieology. However it is slight different. My husband and I ordered the "basso". It was thin crust and a good size if you are looking for a light lunch to share with someone. There weren't that many veggies on it. The olive oil mix with spice is quite flavorful and pairs really well with the pizza. The atmosphere is quite lively. Staff was friendly and walked us through the menu as it was our first time there.
(5)
Danielle B.
Ordered some Hot Italian last night for our date night to accompany our first game of Pandemic. Delivered faster than expected through Try Caviar. Started with an app of prosciutto, mozzarella, and arugula. Yum! Got 2 pizzas that were bigger than expected, so we have a bunch of leftovers right now (bonus). We got the Belucci (sausage and dollops of ricotta) and the Tasso (cherry tomatoes, artichoke hearts, and calvestrano olives with a swirl of pesto). Both were delicious but probably would have been better in the restaurant fresh out of the oven. We were too hungry and lazy to take the extra step of heating the pies up in the oven. Overall a good option for delivery for those stay at home date nights.
(4)
Gustavo A.
Been here about 5 times now. Always treated well and great service. Even at busiest times didn't have to wait for food or drinks very long. A lot of parking! The decor inside is nice and modern. Very chic. Stools and high tables cover most the place, which I prefer to sit at. Seating outside as well. Which is great during lunch because the restaurant is pointed towards the east. Food is great, as well as drinks, and coffee. Pizzas and salads are amazing. They don't have ranch but the have a spicy oil that goes amazing on your pie. Have tried most the menu. Next time will try the gelato. Have been in here just for coffee as well. They were playing a soccer game and didn't mind I came in and had coffee. Of course I tipped well because I recognized that but they didn't treat me as if I was taking up space and were still accommodating. There's not much bad at all you can really say about this place. If you like ranch on your pizza you might be a bit bothered but when you taste the pizza you'll forget it. My only wish is that when they do play sports on TV, is if they can turn up the volume.
(4)
Matthew M.
I was finally able to stop by this place after checking out Guitar Center for the umteenth time this month. Awesome food, drinks and staff. The Pizza's could be shared or eaten as a personal pan depending on how hungry you are. Will be back soon!
(4)
Whit H.
The pizza here was great, I love the picante sauce you can add to it. I would love it a bit more if the crust was a bit more crunchy(I'm free the east coast so that how thin crust should be for me). The only downside is that its expensive for the pizza size.
(4)
Gail L.
I want to like this place more. It's not far and I can get it delivered. But the Casalegno pizza with potatoes and pancetta barely has any toppings on it. Each slice had maybe 3 small cubes of potato and maybe a small slice of pancetta. Now I don't like a pizza drowning in toppings but this ridiculous. Good flavors, but please make sure if I'm paying that much for a pizza that I get some toppings.
(3)
Jacqueline S.
I liked the pizza here, the cheese appetizer is also really good. I really wished they had peppers instead of the oil even through it was good I just could of used more heat. Other than that I enjoyed the food the calazone are so good.
(4)
Leonie S.
Hot Italian is a solid pizza establishment in Emeryville. The pizzas are simple and the price is right ($12 for a margarita pizza, not bad!). The infused hot oil that is available to be used as a dipping sauce is second to none... And probably the reason I keep coming back for more. This place is good for groups, it's kid friendly, and there is always a sporting event playing on the movie-theater style wall, and on the TV at the bar. Good stuff!
(3)
Nina R.
I had a brunch pizza and pictured scrambled eggs on it but it was a thin layer of egg that blended in w the cheese. The middle of the pizza was super thin/soft and the crust was plain/thick so I rolled my slices up to get a good texture. My boyfriend got a calzone: the cheese wasn't fully melted and there were only ingredients on one side (thin top crust folded over). We had a coupon, not bad but not sure I'd run back. I got a decaf almond milk cappuccino: it hardly tasted of coffee and had only a thin layer of foam. Our server was so ready to end his shift he dropped the bill off without asking if we wanted dessert (full gelato bar). The place might be fun to watch a game on the bug wall, lots of good lighting and seating
(3)
Bu I.
As I walked by public market in Emeryville I saw this black bodega style building , when I saw its signage Hot Italian and I misread the other word , instead of Pizza Bar, what registered to my mind was piano bar. But this kind of early for a piano bar to open, anyways I just go in. This is my first time here and I looked to the guy server at the end of the bar and he immediately assisted me and brought me the menu. As I browse the menu it's very self explanatory. And Eric my server asked me for bevi and he introduced me to ginger beer. This beverage soothes your throat and it's very refreshing, then I settled with Stella Pizza, in 13 inch thin artisan dough, prosciutto and mushrooms. It was perfect! And I end up my lunch with affogati the classic one, scoops of vanilla gelato poured over with espresso , now I have both sugar and caffiene! For a Hot Italian , once is not enough! After all no visa needed!
(5)
John G.
Went in here for a panini, but instead got a pizza folded in half. It was good, but really? Apparently, the salads come on pizza too.
(3)
Tyrion H.
I'm a little disappointed. The service was very poor. My father ordered a salad, and the waitress totally forgot about it until after we reminded her. At this point, a good waiter/waitress would apologize instead of saying, "Oh?" I probably will not return.
(2)
Sarah P.
Stumbled upon this place late last night when trying to find somewhere to eat. What a great find! We ordered the Stella pizza with egg and Fiori pizza without tomato sauce -- both were mind-blowingly good!! Went back today and ordered the Ligabue pizza which was good but not as good as the others. Would totally recommend this place! I can't wait to go back and try other pizzas on the menu :)
(5)
John S.
They Need to give the people what they want and if I don't want ricotta cheese then I should have the option of that and not forced to get a pizza I don't like... I don't understand a restaurant that has the smallest menu and it never changes .. Plz get some variety you have a great space now use it .. Think about getting a few entrees
(1)
Christine L.
Love the atmosphere in this incredibly hip and spacious restaurant. Located right by Public Market, Hot Italian is an actual sit-down place, so it's a more conducive to less casual get-togethers. I've only gone on weekdays for lunch, and while it's never empty, it's never too crowded, either. There's a small bar located on the side, but it's pretty well-separated from the rest of the restaurant. It definitely gets noisy in here, though -- not the best choice for an intimate dinner date. This place has such unique pizzas! Of course, they also offer calzone, panini, and insalata (salad) options for many of the selections. I've been here a few times and yesterday just ordered the Gattuso (with pumpkin puree). It took a few seconds of getting used to the taste, but I ended up loving it. I got the pancetta added on, and since I'm a meat-lover, I thought it was worth the extra $2. My friend ordered the Stella with egg on top (yum!), which I'll probably be getting next time I eat here. Most of their pizzas are vegetarian, and all their pizzas have a very thin crust, which I love. **TIPS**: Try the "Picante" spicy oil if you like a kick to your pizza -- I think it's just olive oil with hot chiles soaked inside. Also, if you're here with friends, I advise getting the pizzas and then swapping slices so you get to try out other types! Random comment on the bathrooms: instead of one men's and one women's, they had 4 unisex bathrooms with a line of sinks outside. I thought this was way smarter, since I'm always sneaking into the men's bathroom anyway when the women's bathroom is occupied. Overall, a nice sit-down alternative to the typical food stations inside the Public Market. I come back for the atmosphere rather than the food, since the pizza is too pricey for me (typically around $15, but can cost more if you choose any add-ons).
(3)
Svetlana K.
Oh my gosh! I think I just found my new favorite pizza place! The food was sooo good! I had fun sharing a pizza with my love. We ordered a couple of drinks. They have a full bar. The bartender/owner was a really nice older gentlemen. It was a interesting fellow to chat with and I felt like I learned something just listening to my boyfriend and him talk about sports. Afterward, I got a couple of scoops of gelato. Oh my goodness! It was so delicious. I think any flavor there would be equally amazing. I found out there's one in Sacramento as well, so I'm going to need to check it out as well. Great ambience, fantastic food, wonderful service. The only thing I didn't like was the bathrooms. There's four individual rooms for both sexes to use. Which is fine, but the sinks are all together in front of the bathrooms. I never like that kind of set up. No privacy for a girl to touch up her lipstick without feeling watched by someone from the opposite gender. I'll just have to start carrying a compact mirror. That's not enough to scare me away, just thought you should know the layout in case you come here on a date.
(5)
Dan C.
I found myself in Emeryville around lunch time and was told that this shopping center had a lot of food options. As I was not interested in the food court options, I decided on Hot Italian Pizza. I liked the space - high ceilings, light and airy, with floor to ceiling windows and communal tables. The service was pleasant during my visit and the pizza came out quickly. I ordered their version of a margherita and drizzled some hot oil on it for a little kick. The pizza was very good, with the crust having a good mixture of chewy & crunchy. The prices were very reasonable as well. Usually, sitting down for a lunch meal in a restaurant is not convenient and is expensive, but I was in and out of here quickly and it didn't cost much, either.
(4)
Arlene H.
Great pizza and drinks! Waiting for the zephyr train and staff awesome! We will be back if we are in town again!
(5)
Yelena K.
We ordered two portions of salad and added salmon to each. When salads arrived, I thought one portion was split into 2 as there wasn't enough salad, not to mention each portion contained 2-3 pieces of salmon. I expressed my concern to a waiter. He immediately brought another portion of salad. There was no salmon on it. When he brought the bill, there was an $8 charge for salmon. I told the waiter that I don't feel like paying $8 more for the salmon as we basically had no salmon. The waiter took one salmon off while arguing that we had salmon regardless of the amount hence the charge. I will never order salads at this place again!
(1)
Michael D.
Great gluten-free crust, amazing cheeses and ingredients, and excellent drinks (full bar)!
(5)
LeTran B.
I like the pizza here. Thin crust. Delicious. They don't give you dried pepper for your pizzas. They have this "picante" oil to drizzle on top of your pizza if you want a little heat. In my opinion, the oil is not picante at all and I didn't want to put on too much because it would just make my pizza a soggy, oily mess.
(4)
Seong P.
I've been here a couple of times, and enjoyed the various pizzas I've tried, but my favorite is the salad with tuna and white beans. The dressing was light but tasty, and there was the perfect amount of ingredients so I felt like I had a full meal. Nothing in it was fried or overly salty, so it was great. They have an excellent spicy oil, which I wish they sold, and their spicy bloody marys are excellent.
(4)
Alberto E.
Came here twice and the first time for their gelato, had to wait more than 15 mins just to be entertained. The 2nd time, short wait to get seated, but after waiting over 15 mins for a server, decided to go to a different restaurant. I don't doubt that their food is good from the other reviews, but if their service is that bad, THEY'RE NO GOOD. P.S. I noticed how fast they cleared the table of the napkins and utensils as soon as my party left.
(1)
Angie Y.
Really really enjoyed this place. We were in route to go hiking up in Marin and was looking for a casual place to eat with the kids. Was planning to just grab some food at the marketplace but then noticed they were remodeling...so much less options to pick from. We decided to take a chance and go here instead. We were immediately greeted with a smile and told to chose any table we wanted. The concept is great here. Some items can be made into a pizza, calzone or panini. We chose the sausage ricotta cheese one and the prosciutto, arugula mushroom option. Both pizzas came out in about 10 minutes. They were thin yet crispy but not burnt. We also ordered the spinach salad with goat cheese and strawberries. A great extra was the "picante" oil they have at the table. It went so well drizzled over the pizza. We even asked if it was for sale and they informed us it wasn't. :( Ordered some hot cocoa for the kids and a beer for the hubby. We all ended the meal with couple scoops of delicious gelato. They even let the kids sample over 5 different flavors without giving them any attitude. Service was great. Food was great. Decor was fun with the bikes, nice open atmosphere. We noticed lots of families dining here as well which I think is great. Love places that are kid friendly yet offers yummy food and an adult beverage. We will definitely be coming back!!
(5)
Ben C.
This is my FAVORITE spot to enjoy thin crust pizza in the area. The vibe is fun, lots of communal dining spaces. Sometimes it gets cold inside for some odd reason, I always wear a sweater each time I visit. I like the concept of their menu, lots of choices to have as either a pizza or a calzone. The salads are pretty average. The pizzas are the stars of the menu. My favorite so far is the Fiori. The prosciutto comes out just right, and the mushrooms taste great. You have to eat it with the picante oil. Drizzle that all over your pizza to give it that great kick of spice! Also, get arugula on top of everything. Such a great combination of flavors! The service team can be a little inconsistent with their friendliness.
(4)
Scruffy B.
Tried this place for the first time today and ordered a calzone. The waiter asked me if this was my first time and I said yes. My order ended up switched with someone else's so that was a poor start. I understand mistakes happen, but when the waiter told the manager about it he never came to apologize or say anything. He was very busy giving a young white couple a 5 star treatment and chatting with them throughout their meal. The calzone was OK, but not worth the $18 to me. Another thing, while I was there I noticed a group of people come in and they waited so long for service they eventually left. My first experience at this place was poor and I have no interest in coming back.
(1)
Ernesto C.
Addictive. Current favorite is Pear Gorgonzola The subtle twists on the Pizza concept really make Hot Italian stand out from other places. The salads are awesome and the gluten free is good enough you can enjoy it just when you want to give your tummy and migraines a break. I wish I didn't end up spending $35 for two people! I guess it does compete with sushi for yumminess though... This is the place I imagine when I am eating "normal" pizza.
(5)
Claudine V.
Came here to meet an old friend for lunch that just worked around the corner to me. It was both our first time here. We split a pizza , prosciutto with arugula pizza. It was pretty good but not much flavor to it. Pizza was very thin which I liked. Their menu here is very limited as it only served pizza and a few appetizers, calzone and antipasta. I will probably come back here and try other things.
(3)
Zenia T.
I came here for a group luncheon and I had a fantastic time here! The Fiori has definitely made a fan out of me. I did expect a heavier taste and flavor to the pizzas, this is my own personal preference but it was still really good. The servers were also attentive, and quite efficient. Also, I must give a special thanks to the manager, Eric, as he was extremely flexible and accommodating as there were many details I had to keep changing with the luncheon. So if you want great food and phenomenal service, this is the place to go.
(4)
Erin J.
Loved it. Have it for delivery twice now. Great, solid pie. The proscuitto was a bit salty but overall really good. I have tried both the Fiori and the Stella. Honestly, probably one of the best pizzas I've had in a long while.
(5)
Christian M.
This is what food should taste like. I had a moment of bliss- you know, where you close your eyes mid-bite and think, " oh my god, this is so good!" And possibly do a little happy dance while simultaneously stuffing your face. We had the #19 pizza and the piccolo antipasto plate to start. First things first, good pizza starts from great bread. This place has it, and then rocks it with topping so flavorful it will make you cry with tears of joy. Bonus points for serving the antipasto plate with Marconi almonds/ serving my favorite beer. (Racer 5) Plating is beautiful. Service is focused but friendly. So go, seat yourself have a beer and tell that squalling tummy gremlin that everything's going to be just fine.
(5)
Tony C.
Decided to come here as it was the first day of Lent (pizza) and they are located across the street from the hotel I was staying. I'll now be coming here regardless of where I was staying. The panini I ordered was fantastic as was the gelato. The service was friendly taking me through the menu and tentative. Highly recommend stopping in when you're in The area.
(4)
Joe F.
I am an East Coast transplant and so I love a thin crust pizza. I would not say it brings me back to NY (I don't even know if that's what Hot Italian is trying to do); but this is very good pizza with good ingredients and it's part of our "ordering out" rotation since we live in the area. If I had to recommend - I'd suggest the plain (sauce, cheese, basil) with pepperoni and they have one with potatoes and smokey cheese that I think is well crafted in terms of flavors but they pretty much all are, so it pays to be adventurous. Please get some gelato while you're there. If I recall correctly, some of the flavors have Naia stickers on them (an excellent maker of gelato) but they have a few that do not denote the supplier. The pistachio for example is the best I have ever had and that's my go-to flavor. The Naia version I've had is good but no as good as the one at Hot Italian. The staff is also easy to deal with and the ambience is interesting, place is clean. If you have not been - go.
(4)
Larry H.
This was my first time here but it definitely won't be the last. The pizza was exceptional! The artisan pizza dough was the perfect medium for the bold and flavorful toppings. Our waiter was friendly and very knowledgeable about the unique components of each pizza. All around it was enjoyable experience. I will be returning soon!
(5)
Casey S.
In the Bay Area, there seems to be two types of pizza joints: - The uber trendy ones with $20 beauties (hello Pizzaiolo) - Greasy hole-in-the-walls that will give you a 40 and a 32" "King Kong" (hello Pizza Express) So what's a guy like me who likes something between these spectrums supposed to go? Go to Hot Italian, obviously. The bar seating, hanging bikes, and cappuccino/gelato screams uber trendy, while the piled-on toppings and large "personal" pies scream guilty pleasure smorgasbord. Put simply, this is a place where you can take a date without feeling guilty or pretentious.
(4)
Brandina D.
They nail everything they do here from their pizzas to their cocktails to the ice cream to their customer service. I've been here many times and the quality just holds up beautifully. I am never disappointed. The spicy olive oil is not to be missed. Come hungry though bc they don't serve pizza by the slice :)
I live right next to Hot Italian so why not check it out?? Pizza (Jovanotti) was delicious but it was a bit spicy(think pepperoni was). I am very excited to try out other pizza and gelato!
(4)
Matt C.
The pizza tastes good, but the toppings are very sparse and unevenly distributed among slices. Kind of sucks for how expensive it is.
(2)
Teresa R.
compared to other pizza places in the neighborhood, hot Italian is just mediocre. pros would include ample seating, draft beers, thin crust pizzas. cons: decor, quality and price of pizzas.
(2)
Edi B.
We almost walked out upon entering. It feels like an IKEA cafeteria. But we decided to stay because it smelled great. We reviewed the menu and almost left. It seemed expensive and like it was trying too hard especially for the sparse cafeteria environment. But then we saw food leaving the kitchen counter and we were impressed. We ordered 2 pizzas and sangria. The sangria was light and fruity. The pizza was thin and wonderful! There are some very interesting pizzas on the menu. We played it safe with the basil, tomato a cheese and a pizzza with pepperoni, prosciutto, mushrooms and rabiola cheese...both were very satisfying. They serve brunch, gelato, coffee, antipasta, and cocktails.
(4)
Omar Y.
Glorious gluten-free pizza! One of the best I've had, and the closest to the authentic Itlaian experience. Normally when I eat a pizza I will leave off the crust to save room. But in this case I had to eat the whole thing; it was that enjoyable to the last bite. The crust was perfectly toasted without being too burnt--crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside. With gluten-free I didn't know this was even possible! I ordered the #19 Basso. It had pesto, artichokes, pesto and olives to create a symphony of flavors that danced on my tongue. The sauce had the perfect amount of salt, but I added some at the end for some extra kick. And the Soave wine was sweet and dry to make the flavors sing even more. They have a tasty cocktail menu with quality ingredients I want to explore and unique seasonal offerings like pear and gorgonzola. And of course there was Pellegrino galore. I will be back for more! One of Emeryville's best kept secrets--open late too. Perfect for a date night or after a movie. Oh and did I mention? GELATO! Authentic Italian gelato. I had the Toblerone flavor to wrap up my meal. Simply amazing. I haven't been this spoiled since I visited an Italian-themed bar in Tampa back in 2007. Also: Wi-Fi! What else do you need? Heck, I think I could live here! Do not expect to get out of here cheap if you enjoy all these things. But as they say: you get what you pay for!
(5)
Rita L.
What a cool place to eat, but unfortunately the food was just meh. We ordered the materazzi because the bf was craving pepperoni, and a belinelli ensalata. The food took some time to come out, but not too bad considering it was a friday evening. The pizza had so few ingredients on it, and what pepperoni and olives did make it onto the pizza, they sure didn't sprinkle them on evenly! I guess it added to the rustic style of it, but it was really expensive for not much. And to make things worse, the pizza was super salty, though I think it was because of the ingredients, which could not be helped. The salad was okay, though again really overpriced for a mound of romaine and sliced red onions and a few garbanzo beans. There was supposedly salami in it? I think I ate a sliver of a piece...Overall, I think it's a cool pizza joint and the staff is really nice, but the food could've been a lot better for the price.
(3)
Alex L.
Seating is a great set-up for families and groups and the space is cool with a large projected screen for whatever game is on at the time. Pizzas were a good size and would work for two people, although I was able to eat 3/4 of one by myself. Little pricey but certainly good.
(4)
Amy H.
I'm in love with Stella. These Hot Italian pizzas are DELIZIOSO! Perfectly done thin crust with a nice crunch to it. Plenty of gooey cheeses, mushrooms & prosciutto. MMm. And yes, pass me that chili oil for a spicy kick.. First time here dining here. One of our friend wanted to eat here for dinner last night. My husband & I were thinking, 'pizza for dinner?' Doesn't sound interesting but Ok. As it turned out, we actually like this place. Our friend owns a Ducati and this was a meetup place for the bike club. Lots of cool bikes and nice men in leather to look at ;) We started off with the Stella pizza and our friend ordered the Borriello pizza. Love the Stella. We finished it before we can take a picture of it. As for the Borriello, it was good but I must say, there was a lot of tomato sauce. Made the crust soggy. The sauce & mozarella was dripping off the pizza slice. Took a fork and scooped it up. However, we still like it. I can definitely taste the fresh quality ingredients. Love the cheese's too. The restaurant has an artsy, urban, modern, hip, unique look to it. Huge space with floor to ceiling windows. High lofty ceilings. TV sport projected on the wall, as well as bicycles. The only downside is that the tables are cafeteria style with long tables. You shared tables with other people. I don't mind. I'm more used to having your own table for a more intimate lunch or dinner with your own group. As for prices, we're used to the prices being around 15 bucks per pizza. Every other italian pizza joint (Forge in JLS is one of them) are around these prices. No small, medium or large. Just one size. I think these are around 12 inch pizza's. Service was great. Friendly people. Will definitely be back. Can't wait to try the Belluci & others and the Gelatos.
(4)
Ashley M.
We are regulars at this place! Staff is super friendly & don't get me started on the food. I recommend the pantani pizza... And huge fan of all of their pizzas! Also the chili oil (spicy) is a perfect blend of spicy and flavorable...
(5)
Peter B.
I've been here a few times with co-workers. The service is good, but the food is just ok. The food choices are both limited and non-traditional. If you like standard Italian food, this is not a place for you. The calzones and paninis are just folded pizzas.
(3)
Dave M.
Pretty damn good. We had the pear and gorgonzola pizza with a salad. All were pretty much done perfectly. The bartender was a cool dude. The chili oil is pretty flavorful but lacks heat (purposefully). Only gripe is they don't have chili flakes. I asked for them and I was told the pizza is better without. It would be cool if I could decide for myself what I like. I know me. I know what I like. When I return it looks like I'm bringing my own chili flakes. Problem solved.
(5)
Susan M.
Ordered the Bellucci and Fiori pizzas and a salad which I can't remember the name of. The salad was amazing, it has these delicious green olives, red onions, spring mix and lots of other veggies. Sauce was super good. The Bellucci pizza was very good. The chunks of ricotta weren't as overwhelming as other places where I've had it. The fennel sausage was delicious. This pizza definitely tasted super amazing when it was hot. As it got colder, it didn't my taste as good. The Fiori was interesting, I really liked the arugula and mushrooms. The prosciutto was a bit too salty for me. I don't think I'm a big fan of prosciutto though so don't take my comments on it too strongly. Overall the pizza was very good though. I would definitely say that the Bellucci was my favorite out of the two. The prices of the pizzas were a bit steep. Atmosphere was nice, it's very open and decorated with bikes hanging in the walls. Service was awesome!
(4)
Cyn T.
I ordered the Belluci which has sausage, ricotta and mozzarella cheeses. I asked them to add basil. It was shredded basil not whole leaf. I prefer the whole leaf. The crust was thin. The taste was very good. A little pricey for the serving, bit I am glad it was good. I think I'll try it again.
(4)
Kay G.
My sister calls this the "hipster" pizza place. I call it the "Lululemon mom" pizza place or "babies in gigantic wheel strollers" pizza place. Did we go to the same pizza place? The Fiori pizza, spinach and arugula salads are my favorites. They have outdoor seating so I sometimes take my dog here during lunch. They have gelato from their gelateria area towards the left which can also be accessed from their side door. Overall, I'd say it is pretty good. My husband and I come here sometimes because it is so conveniently located to where we live. If it were farther from us we might not eat here that often.
(4)
Aj F.
Some of the best Gluten free pizza in the bay...only 4 stars becuase it's a little pricey
(4)
Artur M.
Definitely the best pizza place in Bay Area! My favorite choice is Magnini pizza with smoked salmon.
(5)
Andrew E.
Cheaper ingredients. Cheaper Pizza. Hot Italian. Got the CANNAVARO and WAYFARER. The pizza attempts to be that traditional Italian/Neapolitan super thin-crust pizza. First off, the dough is clearly cheap, dry, and nearly cracker-ish. The mozzarella was forgettable and so was the sauce. It's basically a Dominos pizza with half the crust and ingredients. And the cocktail was overly sweet and weak in booze. Serves me right for going to a place called "Hot Italian" that's connected to a mall and draws on pizza. However, the staff was great and did their jobs well, considering the situation.
(2)
Carly L.
I came in for the first time today (I'm from out of town) and got carry out at the bar. Everyone was extremely friendly and helped me pick out a great pizza. I got a delicious drink while I waited for my food, which really took no time at all. I also got the gelato---which I highly recommend.
(5)
Russell R.
Can't get served. Service is so disorganized. Maybe the wait people have never worked before or there is no management. Multiple servers going to some tables while other tables ignored. Trying to get someone's attention and staff diffident. Seems some staff just trying to be cool while others so poorly trained or lacking intellect as to be a bad sitcom episode. Lots of wasted motion with no production. Even tried to order at bar but bar staff over whelmed by one customer. Can't get served. Leaving after 45 minutes. Our money spends well in other places and this place should shut down. Food can't be that good and place ain't that busy. Pretense. Posture. Posing. Pathetic Later.
(1)
Mafia M.
The Bellucci was one of the best pizzas I have ever had. The mix between the hot pizza and cool ricotta cheese was wonderful. Place is one of the only joints I've been to with Birra Moretti on tap. I wish they had both styles though. Was going to pick up a t-shirt but they were out of Mediums. Thought that was weird.
(5)
Gagan K.
Came here for "Sunday Funday" for mimosas and pizza about 3 weeks ago. I have family that drives all the way up here from Fresno just to have Hot Italian, so naturally since they were visiting we had to come here! We ordered 1 salad: IZZO (seasonal fruit I believe was pear? at the time) and 2 different pizzas: JOVANOTTI and BORRIELLO. Plenty for 4 people (2 guys/ 2 girls) Food has a very fresh/ organic feel to it, rarely do I feel healthy eating pizza but at Hot Italian this is def the case. As for mimosas we tried three different ones: original, peach Bellini, and blood orange. AMAAAAZING! Love this local treasure. They also have a great patio to eat outdoors when the weather is nice.
(4)
Heather P.
Awesome Pizza! love the atmosphere!The staff was super friendly. My husband and I ate here on a Thursday night and sat at the bar. Everything on the menu is named after "hot Italians" such as actors and sports players that are Italian. You must use the picante chili infused oil on your pizza! It's great flavor and the perfect amount of heat! We also got the appetizer of olives, which are imported from Italy. I ordered a pizza and ended up taking 1/2 home, which makes for a great Friday lunch! Defiantly would come back!
(5)
Bella B.
Came here for the start of my best friends birthday. loved the menu and wine list. They offer a great salumi platter and great pizza options. I ordered the pesto pizza, it was sooo good. Thin crust, 8 pieces per pizza and about $13 each. Spinach salad, Izzo, was fresh and well presented. The gelato was just ok. Good house red wine. It's an interesting atmosphere. The hip warehouse look. All black and white and exposed duct work. A bit too loud with all the hard surfaces. Kid friendly, big screen tv with soccer game, etc. Loved the Heath plates and great glasses. Good quality serveware! This place is worth a visit.
(4)
Y W.
Service was excellent. Our server was very attentive. The ambiance was great, cute and casual. A family friendly place with a slightly trendy vibe. The food itself was not impressive. I ordered the meat and cheese plate for the appetizer. Didn't love it. The best part of the dish was the flat focaccia bread that came with it. The chili infused oil with the bread is quite good. Shared one of their pizzas for the entree. It was decent, but again, not impressed. The crust was soggy, the tomato sauce and cheese greasy and not particularly flavorful. Had gelato for dessert. That was quite good. The beers on tap were also decent. I would return once more, perhaps try a different pizza. Their bread and dessert make it worth trying again.
(3)
Oliver L.
Delicious thin-crust pizzas and fresh ingredients, along with a varied menu mean that you can't really go wrong here. I tried the Fiori (prosciutto, arugula, mushrooms, truffle oil) while my friend opted for the Magnini (mascarpone, dill, smoked salmon) and both were very tasty. I really like the spacious and modern interior. It seemed like a lot of the tables were quite large and more suited for big groups, but fortunately the restaurant wasn't too busy when we went so we didn't have to awkwardly share a table with other small parties. Although there isn't anyone to seat you, all the staff were friendly and attentive, coming around to refill our waters and check up on us periodically. Overall, it's a nice place to eat a casual lunch or dinner, and definitely a step up from the stalls inside the Public Market next door, or the chain restaurants in Bay Street.
(4)
Melissa C.
Pizza was super delicious and tasted fresh and healthy! Thin crust with amazing cheese and toppings. Service excellent and the gelato was so tasty and a great final touch to the meal.
(5)
Lara W.
I have to bump up my review to 5 stars, having been to Hot Italian so many times now and truly falling in love with it. Yes, I've sent friends here who felt like it was too roomy (they assume that all things Italian are cozy...) but you can't please everybody when it comes to decor. I kind of like the humungous fan and the exposed air vents/ducts things. One thing is certain: you can't beat the flavors coming out of that kitchen. Pizzas are the perfect size for one person so if you have a decent appetite, don't worry that you won't finish. Then again, no snootiness if you wish to take anything home. The Fiori pizza is so damn good with ricotta instead of the prosciutto. The Gazzetta - which should be pronounced "Ga-TSEH-tah" (just like pizza is pronounced "PI-tsah" not "PEE-zah") but apparently that's not the American way - is a must. Even if you're not regularly into cocktails, get it. I never get the dessert pizza anymore, the Zucherro I think its called, because I'm too tempted by the gelato, which is a perfect ending to a pizza. HOWEVER - if you're with a posse, DO get the dessert pizza because it rocks. This is really one of my favorite places to eat. The prices are so fair and the food is so good.
(5)
Adam C.
What an extremely disappointing encounter with Hot Italian. I phoned them to request some assistance with ordering some gluten free pizza for 6 teens. The person on the phone was definitely friendly and said that a single pizza had 6 slices. I figured I should order one more pizza to make sure there was enough to eat. I was told that my order would be $36. My experience with the quality of the pizza has been great given that my company has ordered pizza from here a couple of times in the past. When I come to pick up my two pizzas, the bill is over $46. Apparently, it's almost $5 for each pizza to be gluten free. The waiter told me that they forgot to tell me this on the phone. WHOA! Nearly $50 for two pizzas. When we finally open the box at home, each pizza is so small and thin! Each pizza is basically a meal for one person. Broke my wallet and definitely did not have enough to feed the kids. I think the appropriate thing to do in a situation like this would have been to charge the customer at the stated total (over the phone). And granted that this is a pizza bar, the cost per pizza and size definitely isn't youth/family friendly.
(1)
Vedran V.
Let me first say I might be biased here since I am a huuuge fan of authentic Italian Neapolitan pizza. Hot Italian does Neapolitan pizza as closely as what you would get at better pizzerias in Italy. This is the second location (first being in Sacramento) they opened, and being in the area and craving some good thin-crustiness from brick oven, we decided to drop by the Emeryville Public Market where Hot Italian is located. First thing I noticed is that the ambiance is very similar to Sac location with pretty large open dining room with white as the dominant color. The restaurant looks very clean and modern, but stays low-key and does not have that fancy, exclusive feel to it. There are beautiful Italian road bikes hanging from the wall, probably for sale since I have seen the price tags on them. How about a new road bike with that pizza, eh? You can sit wherever there is open table and despite the place being fairly busy on Sunday evening we did not have problems securing a table. As for the menu it is very simple with pizzas and calzones named after some of the Italian icons (soccer players, actors, singers...) but you can just order by the number on the menu if you haven't brushed up on your Italian. They also offer panini and salads. Wife and me ordered a Sozzani salad to share and one Materazzi pizza and one Canavarro calzone. Though they brought a different calzone-Belucci-I did not mind returning it as it was delish as well. Salad was Ok but nothing to write home about. Pizzas are the star here and this is why I have to admin I am a big fan of Hot Italian. They have some limited beer on tap, wine, gelato, and some Dolci though we have not tried any desserts. Our server was attentive but not obtrusive and gets 5 stars despite getting the wrong calzone. For the Neapolitan pizza Hot Italian is among the best in the area and if I am in the East Bay will make sure to visit again. See you soon Hot Italian.
(5)
Mac R.
Their salad was far better than their pizza or calzone. My pizza was missing some tomato sauce and cheese flavor, their dough isn't terrible tasting but I felt like I was eating bread. Pieology has them beat for pizza. 5 stars for salad 0 stars for pizza 0 stars for the guy clearing our table grabbing my glass of water by the rim to move it.
(2)
Loren S.
This review is long over due! My boyfriend and I usually go on the weekends during brunch hours to have the delicious sausage and egg pizza (the mushroom and egg one is my favorite) and a glass (or more) of drinks. I wish reviews came with samplers, because their 'breakfast' pizzas are just YUM. We don't skimp on the chile infused oil (we asked and apparently they are trying to figure out whether they want to sell these beauts. I'm praying they do!). We DRENCH our slices. Overall, we always have a great time here. We came for the World Cup final, and although I was rooting for Germany (thanks boyfriend for the support...) in a sea of Argentinian fans, the food made it all worth it. Plus my team won! :P Before I end my review, I gotta mention two things: GELATO and ITALIAN MEN. For the latter, I mean male Italian soccer players for which the pizza's are named after. Boriello, Cannavaro, and Gattuso. Say what! I love it! And the Gelato, it's just so good there. So so good. I don't care if it comes in a big bucket. It's just so good. So creamy, so...I won't say Italian, but it's damn near being perfect for me. Have two scoops of gelato there and then go to another place and you'll taste the difference. Okay, Ici and other places may trump, BUT, you get my jist. JUST HAVE GELATO AFTER PIZZA. DO IT. You'll feel like a fat fool, but you'll be a happy fat fool.
(5)
Elaine H.
Always saw this spot in Sacramento, but didn't get a chance to try this location until recently. Casual spot, busy, self seating. Trendy and modern decor, friendly service. Ordered the piatto di salumi appetizer which had pizza bread, different types of meat, cheeses, and olives. Pretty good. The pizzas were definitely more of the new type, fancy types. You will not find your meaty pizzas or anything average. You'll get the special cheeses, prosciutto, and special house made sausages. We ordered the Bellucci with proscuitto (would have added pepperoni if they hadn't ran out). Pizza was a little on the moist side which I normally don't like, but tasted good.They had gelato which I opted out of after eating pretty much an entire pizza. Overall, it was good to finally try this place. Not dying to come back, but wouldn't mind if I was in the area.
(4)
russell r.
Can't get served. Service is so disorganized. Maybe the wait people have never worked before or there is no management. Multiple servers going to some tables while other tables ignored. Trying to get someone's attention and staff diffident. Seems some staff just trying to be cool while others so poorly trained or lacking intellect as to be a bad sitcom episode. Lots of wasted motion with no production. Even tried to order at bar but bar staff over whelmed by one customer. Can't get served. Leaving after 45 minutes. Our money spends well in other places and this place should shut down. Food can't be that good and place ain't that busy. Pretense. Posture. Posing. Pathetic Later.
(1)
kathlyn v.
Best pizza in North Cal. I lived in Rome and traveled all over Italy and could testify that this place has very good pizza. Service is epic. Fun and clean atmosphere. Kids friendly. Highly recommended.
(5)
Priscilla G.
This is the only place I look forward to eating when I am in Emeryville on business. My co-worker and I died, went to heaven, and came back after having the arugula salad and pear gorgonzola honey pizza. And our server also appeared to be a hot Italian, with long, modelesque hair. They have a seasonal menu, Summer and Winter (I believe), so if you are there only 4 times a year, the menu may have changed. The second time we went, we got the basil pesto pizza. Also delicious. I even like the water from this place. Looking forward to going back in January after some Square One Yoga.
(5)
Stew A.
wow! seriously. great pizza. i had the Bartolami. staff is amazing, and personable too. dude behind the bar rocks. thats great when new to a place. what a treat.
(4)
Janaia R.
A perfect lunch spot in Emeryville or a nice place if you want to eat good food while watching a game! PROS: -GOOD QUALITY. You can tell they use fresh, good quality ingredients here. -Decently priced for the quality you get. -Large menu selection, it was hard to choose what we wanted! -Nice decor and ambiance. Very modern and very clean too. Also a good place to come watch a sports game with the tv's/projectors. -Great lunch/brunch spot or casual dinner-and-watch-a-game type of place. -LOTS of seating, you don't have to worry about overcrowding or waiting in line here. CONS: -If you're looking for really large portions, this place probably isn't your cup of tea (or should I say vino)? It's QUALITY over quantity here. Needless to say, two personal sized pizzas and a piatto de salumi & formaggi (shared) was enough to feed 4 of us gals. OVERALL: I would definitely come back here again if I was in the area. Highly recommend.
(5)
Alison B.
Flavor of pizza was good, but too soggy for just coming out of the oven. We ordered 4 different pies and each was soggy. I have been to the Sacramento location ad theirs are crispy even when you order to go. Maybe the oven wasn't hot enough. The salad was great and so was the service. But soggy pizza can only get two stars.
(2)
Tracy A.
Thin-crust goodness. High-energy, casual vibe. Best pizza I've had in the Bay Area. Can't wait to return to Hot Italian. I am a flatbread fan, and this pizza is really thin. The menu offers delicious, high-end ingredients; they use sauce/cheese sparingly, as it should be. We had the No. 13 (fennel sausage, mushroom, smoked mozzarella). Wonderful flavors. And I was pleasantly surprised by the pricing. We sat at the bar, and Billy D. took good care of us. They offer a few nice wines at reasonable prices. The olive sampler ($7) was excellent, and included a bit of arugula that we placed on top of our pizza. Instead of a special night out, Hot Italian is a place you can enjoy frequently because the prices and portions aren't off the charts. I can't recommend it too highly. (P.S. Such a breath of fresh air compared to the really sad food available inside the Emeryville Public Market. I once had to spit out the Thai food I'd ordered inside.)
(5)
Soo Jung R.
FAVORITE PIZZA PLACE OF ALL around the Bay Area! (note: pizza here are very thin crusted!) OVERALL: Great experience! I'd love to come here again anytime I crave pizza in the East Bay. I'd even drive up from South Bay if I had to. In terms of the sharpness of flavor, this place beats my now-2nd-favorite pizza-place in the Bay Area, which is La Pizzeria in Campbell (La Pizzeria has larger portions though!). --------------------------------------------------Â----------------------- FOOD: Menu lists items that can be ordered as a Pizza or a Calzone. I wanted to try a Calzone but they didn't offer the item I wanted as a Calzone. Bummer. I went here for the pizza anyway :) Fiori (Pizza with prosciutto parma, mozzarella, mushrooms, tomato sauce, arugula, bariani truffle oil): Prosciutto was just the right thinness, and not too salty at all. Felt soft to the tongue. Having the arugula on the pizza was like having salad topped onto the pizza - in a good way. Insalata Marcuzzi (mixed greens, shaved fennel, carrots, radish, red onion, castelvetrano olives): Fennel went great with the salad, so did the castelvetrano olives. The olives weren't too salty either, it was as if they fermented/cured it themselves at the restaurant! Loved it. DESSERT: For one cup of gelato, you can choose TWO flavors! We tried the Madagascar Vanilla and the Lemon Tiramisu. I don't usually try Vanilla so I am not an expert, but the Madagascar Vanilla tasted like other Vanilla flavors I've had in the past. The Lemon Tiramisu's lemony taste overshadowed the tiramisu a little - but the cool thing is it has actual Tiramisu bites/pieces in the icecream so you can feel the soft, bread-y-ness. :) --------------------------------------------------Â----------------------- INTERIOR/Store Layout: Simple/minimalist designs, yet still provides a warm chit-chatty atmosphere. Many, many tables - also has a small bar. Have 4 seats in front of the open kitchen, but I think it'll be a little cramped if 4 people actually sat there. I sat there but I was only with one other person - and it was enough for us two. COOL: They have a small branch? of NAIA Gelateria here. I don't know if NAIA dictates what gets sold here, or they just supply the ice cream. Either way works for me, as I found comfort in knowing Naia is still around - I getting sad that NAIA Berkeley was closing. NICE: They pre-cook toppings and make doughs in advance, thus it didn't take long for our order to come out! Helpful servers, and chefs looked like they were in a good mood. - seemed happy to be there.
(5)
Brian M.
Slightly above average food, 20-30% overpriced. Doesn't seem to draw much of a crowd, most likely due to being a little overpriced. Right inside the doors of the international food market next door is a wide variety of excellent choices at better prices. I give Hot Italian 8 to 12 months, unless they start paying attention to Yelp. Nice enough staff...
(2)
Tara T.
So the pizza is awesome , the thing that makes it perfect is the chili oil. Good stuff.
(5)
Angel G.
Very good paninis the size of half a pizza. I like it. Too bad it's all the way in Emoryville.
(3)
Alicia D.
Water pitchers had MOLD in it. Went on here to write a review about it and noticed other people had wrote about the mold. Should have checked yelp first before going
(1)
Dusty N.
I live across the street and thought it was going to be easy to pick up a pizza to go. I ordered a pepperoni pizza and waited about 20 minutes, then had my 10 minute walk across the street, took my time, etc. When I got there it wasn't ready and the bartender was really rude to me because I was sitting at his bar waiting for my pizza and not ordering an overpriced drink from him. When I finally got home I was super disappointed to find out that the pizza was extremely tiny and I had just paid a lot of money for what was supposed to be better than average pizza. After I ate it I got really sick and was in the bathroom all night. It was greasy but I think something wasn't so fresh about the ingredients. Such a shame I won't be going back since it's so close to me.
(1)
Melissa M.
Went here for a networking event about a month ago on a weeknight. It's super easy to find the place and there's plenty of parking. The restaurant atmosphere is casual and open. They have a good drink selection, use some organic ingredients and focus on using authentic recipes. They also are LEED certified, so you can be confident they are operating more sustainably than most restaurants out there.
(5)
Kaylie L.
You know, I really really wanted to love this place. The name is adorable, it's a great location and it's pizza - what could be better? Well - let me tell you... The service: Was actually pretty great. Our waitress did NOT come by every 45 seconds which is a relief because that gets old. She came around when our drinks were empty and our plates were clear. Nice change of pace that I appreciated. Location/Decor: Great spot in Emeryville, good decor. Could use some smaller tables, maybe by the windows instead of all the large tables. But not bad. The food: Ok, local, fresh, I get it. Doesn't mean it's always great. The pizza was good, but not great. Excellent ratio of crust-to-sauce-to-cheese but then the toppings. The sausage is so lean I thought it was made with beef, not pork. And the fennel in it is so overpowering you feel like your eating...fennel, not meat. It drowns out the taste of the high-quality cheeses they mention. Also, my friends pizza came with kalamata olives, which isn't terrible but she expected the regular 'ol black olives pizzas usually come with because that's what the waitress said it came with. Also, they don't have cheese and peppers on the table - they have oils, one with rosemary and one with hot red peppers. Kinda neat but I really didn't need/want extra grease on my pizza soooo what's up with that? It should also be noted that they have three choices for soda: Coke, Coke Zero and Sprite. A full bar but only three choices for soda? Sucky and bizarre. Next time I'm out that way, I may eat there again. It wasn't terrible but it's not worth a special trip just for the food. There are some amazing East Bay pizza places closer to me who don't need to rattle on about 'fresh, local' and don't have the hipster mentality of putting unique or new things on pizza - they just make pizza and they do it damn well.
(3)
Lilah B.
I've really enjoyed the food and gelato every time I've been. In fact, there hasn't been a disappointment yet, but, it's not amazing and it's not a once in a life time experience. Since I've not experienced any disappointments there, I personally think that it deserves 4 stars.
(4)
Andrew S.
I came here for lunch with co-workers a couple of weeks ago. There's plenty of parking in the free lot that's attached to the public market. Pros - Pizzas Cons - On the slow side - Price I really liked Materazzi (pepperoni) pizza that I got. They take 10-15 minutes to make and come out on plastic pizza thangs. I wish I had waited a few minutes because I burned the roof of my mouth scarfing down the first few pieces. The smaller pizza was more than enough to fill me up. My only qualm with this place is the price. I just can't justify coming here often and spending upwards of 18 bucks on pizza+service. If you're really in the mood for pizza, you should come here, but I'm probably going to opt for the other (cheaper) options in the Public Market.
(3)
Artistry In Motion P.
5 stars for the the service I received and their pizza's are always good. We ordered the Fiori with a sunnyside egg on top. The pizza came without the egg, so I reminded our waiter that they have forgotten our egg. He was really apologetic and took it back. We were seated near the open kitchen and I saw that our pizza was just left on the counter with no attention. I thought to myself,'why can't they just put an egg on top?' Came to realized they made a whole new pizza all together. Cool! Our waiter brought it back and again, apologizing about the mistake on our order, that dessert would be on him. Wow! Just the gesture was way beyond appreciated. We kindly, denied his offer because at this point I was going to leave him a fat tip and pay for my own dessert. If I owned a business, I was going to recruit him. Can't reminder his name, but he did say he was part of a band and started off by doing dishes in the back prior to promotion. For dessert, we had Affogato. Yumm! Order it if you love caffeine.
(5)
W. T.
Bike friendly location both inside and out. Location is near Market Hall, err, the outer anchor of the building. Service attentive. Bathrooms are noteworthy as each bathroom is unisex and independent in its own room. The washroom is shared. Prices reasonable, the pizza is excellent. Thin crust and the pizza is sized for two mild eaters. 2 pizza's between 4 healthy fit eaters left us hungry after we left. Just FYI! We got the Gattuso and Bellucci. Choose a coffee (macchiato, americano) over a soda, the coffee costs less, too. Enjoyed our group meal here, great for groups, I've come here with 2 to over 200 people. BIKE FRIENDLY gets my business.
(5)
Art O.
So I've been a couple of time now and I guess I've had a similar experience to Ashley J. Similarly, I can't really say anything bad about the food. I've tried four different pizzas and they were fine. Just nothing that stands out really. And the service can be spotty. My last visit was much better than my initial visit. That first time the waitress really didn't stop by often and it seemed like she didn't want to be there. And there's no one there to really greet you. You have to wait for a server to notice you to place you at a table. The interior is a bit cavernous too. Never really seen this place packed and all that empty space makes it seem on the empty side. It's a place that I'd go to again but only if I'm hungry after a visit to Guitar Center.
(3)
Elle D.
Our visit started off bad. Our waitress was really nice but neglected to bring us water and we waited about 20 minutes to get our beer and wine. The sangria wasn't terrible, though it tasted more like a blend of juice and booze rather than fruit infused wine. The salad was AWFUL. Wilted Romaine with olives, bug chunks of cheese, about 5 garbanzo beans and a barely perceptible vinaigrette. We were starving so we scarfed down mouthful after mouthful of the bitter greens. We saw several other patrons with something that looked like triangular crispy pizza dough in baskets on their table. We wondered if that was a sort of complementary bread basket type of thing. We eyed it enviously but never got our waitresses attention to inquire. We were getting pretty impatient and hopeless seeing others being served these skinny, sad looking pizzas. But, to our great surprise.....the pizza arrived and was friggin DELICIOUS!! They have this amazingly flavored spicy oil you can drizzle on it. good LORD! The pizza was good by itself and the oil took it to orgasmic levels. Next time we agreed we are ordering two pizzas and no salad. I'll never bother with a salad there again. We can't wait to go back.
(4)
Tony A.
I will start by saying the pizza was definitely above average. Fresh ingredients, and everything looked like it was made in house which is a HUGE plus. It came out nice and hot! The crust was nice and crispy, and the toppings were plentiful. Our drinks (two soft drinks) were comp'd because of the issue below which was very nice. Now for the overall: Decided to give this place a shot after a grueling battle through the mazes of IKEA. We walked in Sunday afternoon and it was dead. We were greeted with a "hello! Grab a menu and have a seat!". We followed directions. After 3-4 minutes went by I started to make eye contact with some of the servers. They didn't bother coming by. More people came in and were seated. I then started to notice THOSE people were being attended to by the server who was SUPPOSED to be handling our table. She looked at me a good 5 times and didn't bother to come by. I then motioned to the bus boy "hey... is anyone gonna help us?" He looked like he went over to talk to our server. Still, she did NOT come by. After a good 10 minutes (usually I'm past my breaking point) I motioned to him again. he was the only one who was looking at us. I really felt invisible. He went over to ANOTHER server and she FINALLY came by. Apologized for the other girl, and was wonderful from there on. I took my daughters up to the window so they could watch the chef's make the pizza. The crappy waitress that looked at me a TON of times without bothering to help us, asked if we needed menus!!! WTF!! Are you serious? We already ordered, were there for 15 minutes, and NOW she asks? I then had to listen to her telling another employee that she was offered another job at the same time she got the job at Hot Italian. I really wish she would have taken the other job instead. Maybe our experience would have been better! I'm not one to not visit again because of service, so I will definitely give it another shot when we're in the area again. Hopefully we'll get great service right off the bat, instead of having to beg.
(2)
Karen N.
I can pretty easily say I've had one of the best pizzas ever here. The boyfriend and I drove by on our way to Ikea and Hot Italian totally caught our eye (the bf is Italian, he couldn't resist stopping!). The restaurant itself is really cool, modern, open. Communal sitting, I like. Bikes on the walls, huge tables, bar, gelato station, and an open kitchen. We started with the Zambrotta salad. Mmmmm, the cured salted beef was really good, not too salty. Perfect handful of heirloom tomatoes thrown in. Good standard salad, but the star was definitely the pizza. We ordered the Bellucci, amaaaazing. I normally don't ever crave pizza, because it's so rich.... so the style of pizza here fit my taste perfectly. Real thin crust pizza that had a nice crunchy bite to it. Minimal sauce and just enough cheese, perfect ratio to let all the other ingredients shine. Top it with a drizzle of their chili oil and you are in heaven. They had thyme oil too, also really good... but do the chili oil, trust. Everything came out really quick and service was friendly. We ended the meal with some of their gelato. Not really that good, but they get their gelato from somewhere in Ohio(?). We got tiramisu and dark chocolate. The tiramisu was lemon tiramisu (never knew such a thing existed), honestly... not that good. Just tasted like really sour cheesecake. The waiter forgot to tell us it wasn't regular tiramisu before we started eating it, so we were a little bummed, but we don't waste food. :) Long story short though, don't get the gelato. Remember: Pizza + Chili Oil. Seriously.
(5)
Susan S.
Ever go to a restaurant and have an extremely great overall experience the first time and then the next time, it really sucked donkey balls due to some bizarre psychotic supervisor apparently in charge at the time? I am willing to give the restaurant a third try because I know the WC (aka Wild Child) would be all over a pizza place that not only serves good pizza, but they also stream soccer on their TV AND they have a cool assortment of designer bicycles hanging on the main wall presented as an art installation. Oh, and did I mention they also serve up some yummo gelato as well and I typically never order dessert? My first visit was wonderful. I had to drop-off the WC at his state soccer camp in West OakT. I needed to find sustenance STAT as I had missed lunch and was famished. My server that day Ali was wonderful! I was craving a calzone. He steered my initial choice of one possibility, to the Matterazi which was a calzone stuffed with pepperoni, olives, tomato sauce, mozzarella and fontina cheese. It was the size of a large inflated flying saucer that could not take off again due to loads of yummy cargo. It was delicious with a glass of the organic chardonnay and lots of the fresh chilled water they had brought out immediately in a chilled bottle gratis. The only minor complaint about the calzone was that the ingredients weren't distributed as well making certain bites too salty, and other bites that were just the delicious crust without many, if any, ingredients. The WC liked my leftovers, but being Mr. Picky, he picked out the yummy olives, gave them to me to eat, and had a less salty portion. All in all, I was very happy with the charming service, help, and oh,and that gelato! Ali brought two samples of coconut and plum gelato. The plum tasted like plums that were just freshly picked off of a tree. YES! Fast-forward to my next visit a couple of days later in the afternoon. I thought I could bring a few pizzas for about 15 kids and a couple of coaches to go while dining on the Bellucci (01) pizza consisting of homemade fennel sausage, mozzarella and ricotta. It was very delicious. After that, things kind of turned sour in terms of overall atmosphere. I sat once again near the bar so I could watch the soccer and talked on and off with various staff checking in on me who were obvious soccer enthusiasts. Note: it's not "my sport" but I love watching it. Between the occasional helpful staff chirps, I started to get a vibe from a guy behind the bar that he thought said staff were slacking. I didn't see any customers being ignored, and if your ambiance is soccer and bicycles, what's wrong with talking it up with the clientele? All of a sudden, I felt like a deer caught in the headlamps because I kept assessing the situation watching the dude behind the bar chewing out two servers, one with whom I was talking and it was obviously a lecture about their "bad" customer service which was ironically, IMHO great. I felt like I was witnessing some fast food manager chewing out his employees over nothing but he had rank because he could. I had initially mentioned to that dude behind the bar that I was taking several pizzas to go but just simple cheese for 7-10 y-o-kids. He calculated a figure at full adult price and it was outrageous. I cut down the amount and eventually included most of my personal pizza to give to the kids. Nice of that dude to not support the most local NorCal State Soccer Club in the County practicing in West Oakland given they were a futbol-themed restaurant. That second experience really soured me. The pizzas were great, don't get me wrong, but this supposed manager was not only mean to the staff, but ended up being a mean-ass jerk to me. I may return with the WC because it really was one great vs. one tainted experience, but I think I'll go over and talk to the folks at E-22 and see if I can get a kids' team discount when buying pizza in bulk in the future especially when the kids are at playing out at Oaktown's Raimondi Field and the players are from all over Alameda County. It's not like I was asking for freebies here, but I was trying to support a local non-profit club and didn't expect to be charged adult prices for young kids. *sighs* AKA, clue into the fact that a kids' menu might work if you are truly "family friendly." Most local businesses get that and they are not say Dominoes. Trust me you, being the snack and meal coordinator for the team has made me reach out always to support local businesses. Else, I cook it myself. Oh well, or as the WC's Godmother would say: "Questa è la vi!" (Actually, what she really said in Italian would probably be filtered here!). ;)
(3)
Miranda S.
My husband and I were so disappointed when our local pizzeria, Addie's closed in 2012. Then Hot Italian opened and we've been happily addicted ever since. The staff are great, gelato is excellent with regular and seasonal flavors, and all of our orders have been consistently good. Ironically while we originally came to Hot Italian for pizza, we usually order their calzones. Very yummy. We love that we can place take out orders too.
(5)
Hilda Z.
I like hot (carb loaded) Italian....goodness! I was accompanied on my visit by my sister and her two kids. I wasn't sure it was going to go over well, but we soon had a five year old who was in love with the soccer game being projected on the side wall of the dinning area (along with watching the dough being tossed) Service was fast. Had 2 pizzas; Ligabue (cheese, drizzle of pesto and pine nuts) and Murino (pear, gorgonzola, honey). They were enjoyed by all. Simple ingredients made for a delicious contrast of flavors! Bummed no crayons for the little ones, luckily the 3 and 5 year olds were easily distracted. That said, bring your kid a toy and try it out. Very cool open dinning space, plenty of options for a taste of Italy in Emeryville!
(4)
Joyce H.
Stopped by after a trip to Emeryville IKEA - delicious thin-crust pizza, but not something I'd go out of my way for. Asked the server for recommendations, but he was ultimately unhelpful in pointing out interesting pizza -- steering us toward pretty ordinary sounding choices. Hopped on Yelp for recommendations instead, and of course, Yelpers never fail. :) We ended up trying the Gattuso (lifted straight from the menu: pumpkin puree, scamorza, mozzarella, sage oil, parsley, ricotta salata cheese) with added pancetta, and Murino (mozzarella, gorgonzola dolce cheese, seasonal pears, del rio farms honey). Gattuso was interesting.. couldn't really taste the pumpkin because pancetta just overwhelmed everything else. Still yummy and savory, but ended up just tasting like cheese + pancetta. A good foil to the Murino! Murino is a bit sweet and clashes with your what your brain thinks pizza should taste like, but ultimately really tasty; the cheese is strong, but the pears and honey cut right through it to keep it light and not overwhelmingly heavy. I really liked the pepper infused oil, makes your pizza crust more tasty & adds a bit of heat.
(3)
Anne V.
Favorite for the family. The antipasto plate is awesome and really generous. I just wish their wine came in wine glasses.
(5)
Trey W.
Where do I begin? The pizza is so amazing. I didn't think I was a fan of thin crust pizza, but thank god I proved myself wrong at 32 years of age. This pizza is amazing.. perfect crust/cheese/topping ratio, fresh ingredients, careful thought out pizza toppings (I would suggest not substituting, the flavors meld so nicely as is...). And just when you thought it couldn't get any better, you break out the chili oil, in place of the traditional red pepper flakes. It's spicy, flavorful, but not painful heat. Perfect compliment to the meal. My boss and I killed 3 pizzas between the two of us. Don't judge me!
(5)
Chloe H.
HOT ITALIAN is in the bay area! The first location of Hot Italian sprung up in Sacramento roughly three years ago, and in just a few weeks past their third year anniversary, Hot Italian Public Market was born. Located in the same shopping center as the Public Market and Peets' Coffee, Hot Italian is serving up thin crust pizzas that are the perfect size to fill you up. The atmosphere is casual dining with a sophisticated twist, communal size tables complete with a wall size projector broadcasting italian soccer and sports. Delicious pizzas, perfectly spicy chili olive oil and knowledgable and friendly staff complete the experience. Lets just hope you come in on a night where Chef and Co-Owner Fabrizio Cercatore is spinning the pizza pies in the air- dinner and a show! Hot Italian is exactly what Emeryville needs, now there is more than just IKEA as a reason to make that pit stop.
(5)
Ashley J.
The food is good, the experience is a bit lacking. I can't say anything bad about the food, it is delicious. The location could be cool, but they just hit the mark. The service was spotty and the vibe is a little cold for a place that is called Hot Italian.
(3)
Kenson K.
Good thin crust, New York style ready to order gourmet Italian pizza. Yummy. They even give freshly grated parmigiana cheese on the side upon request. None of that processed parmasean stuff.
(4)
Ken W.
This place is a hop, skip and jump away from my current apartment. I'm going to be very sad when I eventually move. Their chili oil has a nice kick but the taste is not overwhelming. I really love thin crust pizza and this place is definitely a great place to go. I recently ordered the Bellucci, Magnini and Fiori. Took about 10-15 minutes on a pretty slow night. The Bellucci is by far my favorite out of the 3. The sausage with fresh ricotta cheese gives it a great taste and texture. I love this pizza! The Magnini almost tasted like a salmon and cream cheese bagel (without the dough). It was pretty good. Finally, the Fiori was just decent. The mushrooms were too moist so the pizza became a bit soggy. I think if they baked some of the water out of their mushrooms first, it would have given this a better texture. I'll definitely be coming back for the Bellucci!
(4)
Renee S.
Arugula Pizza...... Yum!
(5)
Danny L.
When I think of a "hot Italian," I usually think of hot Italian models and exotic cars.... I also think of Monica Bellucci... now, that's a Hot Italian! But food?! Never thought of food that way. But then again, food porn is on the rise. I have to admit, I was tantalized, just a little, and got a little hot thinking that a HOT ITALIAN would be coming to the Public Market. Especially since the Public Market is known to lack anything remotely close to hot. The concept and set up is pretty darn cool. They offer a large variety of Italian style pizzas, calzones, alcohol, pastas, and yes... they even have a gelato section at the bar. Oh, what a perfect way to cool down your HOT Italian experience!
(4)
diana l.
TOP NOTCH 1st of all I'm not a big fan of pizza and 2nd-ly who needs another pizza joint? Seems that 3 out of 5 around this area are centered around pizza and Emeryville is short on quality restaurants. Jaded- I went here with a friend by default of the evenings events and too tired to care. 1st IMPRESSION: Very hip modern minimal italian style. Ambiance, esthetics a 4 star. FOOD: minimal, pizza, pizza, pizza, paninis with a few salads and gelato. All I expected was to quell my hunger with an unmemorable slice or two but to my surprise it turned out to be an incredible meal. That's a lot to say for someone who's not a pizza-person. Simple and sophisticated is the way to sum it up: Thin crust, mushrooms with truffle oil, fresh, fresh, fresh. Had a green salad and that was fresh, fresh, fresh too with a lovely light balsamic dressing...A 5 STAR SERVICE: Perfecto, accommodated a shift of ingredients, very professional pleasant waitress, fast service...A 5 star COST: Not inexpensive but well worth the quality to ambiance ratio in the middle of Emeryville where tasty fresh food is to be desired. IMPRESSION: Impressed. A great place to get together casually with friends or go alone for a quick bite. Consistent in every way to a modern Italian mode. Bello. Currently my favorite restaurant in Emeryville.
(4)
May I.
Finally! A place in Emeryville that's cool, inexpensive, and spacious. Came for a birthday party last Friday with a group of 15. We had reserved a table a few days before, but for some reason all 15 seats weren't available when we arrived, and our party had to be split up. Typically, I can imagine people flipping sh- - about this - but we were tipsy and merry and didn't mind splitting up. I can't tell you how kind and helpful our waiter was to us. (I wish I remembered his name!). Big groups can be pretty chaotic and obnoxious, but he handled us with such a big smile! He kept apologizing about having to temporarily split our party up. He gave us free Zucchero as dessert (hazelnut, mascarpone cheese rolled in our pizza crust and dusted with powdered sugar), enough to treat all of us, and it was absolutely divine. He also patiently split the bill 15 ways for all of us, even though we didn't want to inconvenience him. This time around, I personally had the bellucci pizza (homemade fennel sausage, mozzarella, and topped with balls of fresh ricotta) which I wouldn't get again. The ricotta did not complement the rest of the pizza. However, there's so many options on the menu that I will definitely come back and try the other pizza options. Pros: + Great service + Ferrero Rocher gelato. Ya, you read that correctly + Zucchero dessert + Inexpensive drinks Cons: + Hit or miss pizzas + Diverse, sometimes unexpected crowd. We thought the place to be bustling on a Friday night, but many of the tables were large families with young kids. It was a little awkward Overall, convenient and great after-work place that can wonderfully accomodate groups!
(4)
melissa m.
yum yum yum. I'm a big pizza fan and this place is my new go to place. What can I say! Here are a few highlights and I cant single out any pizza because they've all been good. Plus they make a great salad, have awesome gelato, cool bike themed decor, always showing some sport projected on the wall and they are right around the corner from me.... YES! -- crispy thin crust from edge to center -- delicious combination of fresh ingredients -- hot chili pepper oil is spectacular -- they serve alcohol if you like -- freshly tossed salads with interesting fresh fruit accents -- they don't skimp on toppings for their pizzas and they don't over dress their salads (better not change Hot Italian) What else would be better... if I went there with a real hot italian! ;) Check it out! Better yet.. lets go together! haha!
(5)
Ric M.
Short review for me for this one. This place is 5-star for doing what it does excellently! Great pizzas - and dipping the crust in the hot chile olive oil...yum. The perfect combination of portions, service, quality, and price.
(5)
Jory M.
Received a gift card to this place along with high praise, so we were looking forward to checking this place out but overall, meh... Pizzas were definitely nothing to write home about, and in this area, that's not promising because there are so many good spots - Pizzaiolo being the cream of the crop, IMO. Atmosphere was uninviting and service was spotty at best - waiter didn't check in on us once after taking our order, but was there like a vulture once the bill was on the table. Oh, and why dress like Lance Armstrong? I really don't get it. We've still got $12 on our gift card that I don't plan on us using. Want it? Tell me why you deserve it and it's yours. Seriously. Cheers.
(3)
Steph T.
The yelp description of the ambience sums up this place nicely with "hipster and trendy." There are bikes on the wall, one mismatched chair at each long communal table, black paint on the walls, and I was stuck with a nonchalant waiter that didn't seem to have ever tasted, much less read the menu. I was not the biggest fan of the place or service which felt lazy, however, the pizza was very good! And that's what really matters - when you can take it to go! As a warning, we found a few pieces of wood chips in our pizza. Didn't kill us, but helped me to form the lazy opinion. The entire menu sounded delicious with nicely balanced flavors. My favorite pizza was the Jovanotti with prosciutto parma ham, pepperoni, mushrooms, tomato sauce, mozzarella and robiola cheese. I almost ordered two - for myself. Crust is thin, chewy, and is a perfect example of how thin crust should be done. For something sweet, the murino with pears, honey and mozzarella is amazing. Also, save some room for their gelato that was perfectly light and creamy. Go now!
(4)
Alison H.
What a joke. The thug behind the bar acted as though I didn't know what flavor of gelato I wanted, served it to me in a chipped glass, shrugged when I pointed it out to him, and pocketed some of my change. I only went there to watch a movie. The table next to mine mentioned to their server that we couldn't hear so they put on the subtitles. They were cut off on the bottom but you could still figure it out. They turned off the subtitles after 20 minutes and we were left with nothing but the picture and mumbled noise. I have no idea what their pizza is like but their customer service is nonexistent.
(1)
Renalen C.
casual yet fancy pizzas and gelato. lost of pizza/calzone/salad options. and the pizza we has was pretty good. the only thing that i wish they could do was split the pizza flavors. its a pretty decent sized pizza that serves two and it wont go well if the diners are at a disconnect on toppings. AND what kind of pizza place is too good to carry crushed red peppers? that is a must for me.
I've been here twice and they have not disappointed. Their staff is nice and friendly. The pizza is pretty darn good and it's just a pretty cool place to hang out and have some pizza.
(4)
Jhony L.
So every once and then I eat pizza at this place .obviously the pizza is good because I keep coming back , their salads are also a delicious treat that you can't normally find in a pizza place . However yesterday I also ordered desert .. Must say , stay away ! The Dow wasn't prepared right and the taste of it wasn't what I've expected (just tasted like Nutella ) overall great pizza place not so great for deserts other then ice cream !
(4)
Jason F.
This wonderful fast casual place opened just a few months ago with not too much buzz, but a lot of great energy judging from outside. A friend and I went for a quick dinner at 6:30pm on a Wednesday, the place wasn't full at the time but got busier as the hours went by. We asked our server what he recommended, he suggested getting a salad and pizza for two. We wanted some more food, so we got a pizza and calzone, what I say we're pigs, but we also like trying things off a menu to ensure we recommend this place to others. We tried the Materazzi Calzone and the Zocarri Pizza. The Zocarri Pizza which is seafood like shrimps and mussels but with no cheese was really delish, and a unique pie for those who aren't used to it... The calzone juicy but with the olives a little salty, but I would have another one again...Bottom line is this place is good enough for parties, families, couples, friends, or perhaps most telling people eating solo because it's so unpretentious. count on me to return in the future!
(4)
Conrad B.
Went here for the Yelp event. But we felt like we should get a pizza because it looked real good. We settled on the pesto pizza ($14 + $2 for prosciutto). Our order was taken immediately (at the bar), and our bartender/server was very efficient and friendly. Size was reasonable given the obvious freshness of each and every ingredient. It's cool that they serve the pizza with an herb oil and a chile oil (the latter was great for crust-dipping!). The major letdown for me was the lack of pesto. It was sorta piped on the pizza in little drizzles...when I did taste the pesto, it was great, but I was disappointed that we got so little for a pizza, where the first ingredient listed was pesto... Continuing with this train of thought, the prosciutto was very necessary to elevate the pizza given the minimal pesto. More pesto, and the pizza would be fine on its own - with the prosciutto, the lack of pesto was not as apparent. I don't want to finish the review in a negative light though - the pizza was extremely good, and the freshness of the ingredients did not go unnoticed! The pizza is a bit expensive, at first look, but try a slice, note the freshness, and you'll get past it... All in all, Hot Italian is a cool restaurant with good pizza. Methinks I'll be back. Also, I liked the projection of the soccer game on the wall.
(4)
Celeste B.
Finally, a restaurant at the Public Market with table service and wine. I rarely allow my diet to include pizza, but was happy that I did today. Interesting concept, all the tables are communal. Great place to dine with friends or chill by yourself. My chosen dining companion was my iPad. I was not thrilled that despite several empty tables, a lone woman sat at my table and way too close. Really special when she blew her nose, but I digress. I had excellent service. The Soave was tasty and pizza was delicious. It had a thin crust and perfect amounts fresh ingredients. The one I choose had procuitto, tomato sauce and mushrooms. My only complaint is that they should have some veggie sides. If you put broccoli rabe on a pizza, you can offer it as a side. They do have salads but I was in the mood for cooked veggies. Great stop before a pedicure or movie. So sad the bookstore is gone. Recommend.
(4)
John D.
Came in for a panini. They had a weekend burch menu so I got a breakfast panini. It's basically a pizza folded in half, so pizza dough/crust not bread. It was really good and the service was good as well.
(4)
Savier M.
Started off with the cheese only Briatore. It tasted like cheese. Then the ante was upped with the delicious Fiori, which reintroduced me to the beauty of prosciutto. Things then got a bit testy with the pear slice and honey adorned Murino. It was sweet but nuanced by the underlying cheeses. My bite of the Jovanotti was superbly piquant and put a happy wrap on a low-key night. It's all traditional style pizza with Italian styling, yes, although there's still some American sensibilities in its preparation. If you order an occasional flatbread or two, this pizza stands on its own. It just didn't seem much more authentic than others. If you have been to Italy, then shutout the memories, this is not manly tears pizza. My manly tears quest continues.
(5)
Kristin U.
If you like thin crust pizza, go now! Excellent choices of toppings, a lot of white pies in addition to red sauce. We usually get 2 pies for the 3 of us, with a few slices leftover. A little pricey but good place to catch some of the game on TV, have a drink or gelato after, and chill.
(4)
Jon P.
We go somewhat regularly because we live nearby and my wife likes it. I have been trying different pizzas and I tried a calzone and the toppings are usually lacking. I understand the style of this pizza, but they tend to be very light on the mozzarella and sauce. Also, I'm not sure what the "standard" is, but I have had this style at numerous places and I like a thin, cracker type crust. The crust here is kind of soggy and doesn't support itself when you pick up a slice. The service is pretty average. Not fast, but not slow. Friendly, but not overly outgoing. For people looking for something quick and a little different, this place is a good idea for you. Because of the small pies and thin crust, they can get a pie out in about 5 minutes.
(2)
Ej P.
Went here with my family a few weeks ago. And let me tell you, it wasn't the greatest of outings. First of all, the set-up of the restaurant was fairly nice; it had a contemporary Italian feel to it, which I enjoyed. However, our server was by far the worst server I have ever experience. Talk about loosening up, this guy acting like he had a stick up his ass! Maybe I was a little too harsh with words, it was probably the guys first day. The pizza was average. I was beyond starving to realize how greasy and slippery the thin-crust pizzas were. Overall, the food was something that can be easily made at home. Oh, and before I end my rant, I did notice that the cooks in the back were constantly using their forearms/hands to wipe their faces and forehead.. then go back to touching the food. Seriously? And then I see one of the cooks toss a pepperoni in their mouths? Not a good impression and smart move when you have hungry customer waiting for their dinner.
(2)
Eve C.
Creamy gelato bursting with flavor...especially the ferrero rocher one. If you close your eyes, you would think you were eating a cold piece of candy. The smoked swordfish was cut thin which was perfect to go on the flatbread...drizzle it with some of the chili olive oil. The smoky flavor is definitely present but not so much that is all you are tasting. There is a crispness and sweetness to the crust. The pesto is fresh and nicely blend of basil, Parmesan and garlic. Happy tummy.
(4)
Bici G.
I was excited to visit this new restaurant in our vicinity, especially because they have indoor bike parking and screen Bicycle races on their giant screen! We stopped in Saturday night and ordered the pesto pizza ($14)which has a little on the oily side. I wanted crushed red peppers but the waitress suggested the pepper oil which I declined since the pizza was already oily. We tried the house wine($6) tasted like vinegar, the Pinot noir was much better at $9 a glass. We also shared the gelato which was creamy and sweet. (2 scoops $4) Unfortunately, I wasn't impressed by the food. The waitress was very attentive and fast. The space is big and open but loud and the Italian pop music was hard to listen to. The menu has many options but not too many veggie, only the margarita and pesto. They also serve paninis and salads, which I haven't tried. I guess I'll stop in after a ride soon enough.
(3)
Sam H.
Had lunch - service was attentive - food was ok - not worth $15 for a pizza! I expected more and got less - don't think I will go back
(3)
Austin C.
Not sure I trust Yelp anymore.... I went on vacation to San Fran this weekend and tried 3-4 places that received good reviews. Only 1 was worth our time. Hot Italian was just across the street from our hotel and pizza sounded really good at the time. What a horrible experience... For one, the menu is 70% in Italian. I don't speak Italian; I don't care to know Italian. You walk in and seat yourself. The waitress asked us if it was our first time eating there. We said "yes" and then expected an explanation of the menu (which we couldn't read) All she says is "welcome" and walks off... We ordered one pizza and a salad. It took about 35 minutes for both to come out and there were only 4 other parties in the place. I'd hate to see what the wait is when it's actually busy there. The pizza tasted horrible and was completely burned on one side. The salad was decent but wasn't good enough to save this bad experience....
(1)
William B.
Nice space.... LEED, minimalist, simple fresh local sourced... all that crap. They must still be working out some kinks. I genuinely think some of them wont be worked out but that could be debated. Had the piccolo (small) formaggi and salumi plate. The meat and cheese were a half notch above supermarket (Safeway) quality. Probably a C or C- on the academic scale. Gelato and Sorbetto were oddly sweet... better than average good certainly not great. Service was OK... kind of odd and disjointed at times. Our waiter upon being asked to name the cheeses on the plate stumbled... then consulted his paper guide... then left to consult someone else then came back... mumbled one name (three cheeses on the plate) and walked away hurriedly. Later, instead of asking how we were doing he awkwardly queried if we didn't like the cheese which was served in the largest quantity which we thus had quite a bit of still to eat. As my girlfriend (who's never wrong!) said... you have to remember it's the public market... this is food for the masses. If you've had good Italian food (Riva Cucina, hell even Siciliana) this probably wont cut it for you. In terms of the future... I'd consider it for a pitcher of beer, a plate of marcona almonds, and watching ridiculous people meandering outside of the big windows.
(2)
vibrata c.
Finally, a place to get good pizza in the east bay, and it's in EMERYVILLE, of all places. First time we tried to eat here, it was way loud -- not just the people, but the cheesy music -- we literally walked in and walked right back out. But we were sad because it smelled great and looked stylish and fun. Last night we were wanting some za. Really grumbly tummies, so we were going to grab a slice in the public market and call it a day, but decided to take a peek in Hot Italian again. Not quite as chaotic and seemed more promising this time. Didn't like the tall chairs. Pet peeve of mine - I am 5' 1" and guess what, for an Italian like myself that's a great height. Anyways, next time we'll sit at the normal height tables. They served us good wine and beer. Pizza menu was full of enticing options. Mine had prosciutto, mushroom, arugula and truffle oil. His was pepperoni, olive and fontina. Both were great. Liked the thin chewy/crunchy crust, nicely baked. Good cheese. Sauce could be a bit sharper for my taste - I suspect that will improve when tomatoes are actually in season; curse you, California, for your weird tomatoes! - but fresh made tomato sauce gets big points. Great service. I am a really tough customer for pizza - did I mention I'm italian? - but I will return here again.
(4)
Annette P.
LOVE this place.. can't get enough. The salmon pizza is to die for. No complaints.. always wonderful...
(5)
Sarah L.
Ambiance isn't as cool as the Midtown Sac location but they keep true to their Hot Italian theme. Had the the limited edition social media special. Ask them for it. It's got fresh figs which neither my bf nor I have had before. It was also topped with a balsamic glaze and some sort of cheese. Pretty good pizza but I feel like it was missing a bit of a salty bite. We also had a stonefruit salad to accompany it. Overall great little dinner. Opted to not have gelato this time but will come back for it.
(4)
Kayley P.
Love this place. Awesome people. Awesome pizza and they love their sports! The chilly oil is fantastic and their gelato to die for. I am in love.
(5)
Christy L.
Great place to hang out with some friends for a Friday night bite! Sampled a few of the different pizzas - thin crust style with many great choices. The pizzas were larger than I expected and could be shared between two. Service was decent - our waiter was fun and had a great sense of humor. He made some great recommendations and kept us happy while we dined. They have a few things to work out still - like the need for an ice bucket when you order a bottle of prosecco...but all in all, a great place! I'm super picky about my pizza and have a hard time giving 4 stars, but I would say a good 3.5 stars for decent service and a great thin-crust oven pizza.
(3)
Trav M.
I think I've found a new love affair with a certain Hot Italian in Emeryville. This place is undoubtedly going to be my new obsession for quite a while, I'm sure. Ancohring Emeryville's newly renovated Public Market, Hot Italian glares at you with it's black facade and white neon signage, asking you to come in and get comfy. Right upon entering, you realize that Hot italian is a little different. A little kiosk at the entrance suggests you to grab a menu and then seat yourself. To your right, bikes hang on the wall and a projector shines up the current happenings. To your left if a wine and espresso bar. Is that gelato? But, of course! The menu is very bright and exciting, featuring fresh ingredients that you don't see at your typical pizzeria. It's a great way to excite your taste buds. My boyfriend and I ordered two glasses of their house red wine (forgot to catch the name of it), and it was great. Probably one of the best House red wines I've had. From there, we started with the Piatto Di Salumi & Formaggi, a platter of meats, cheeses and some fruits. There were even almonds thrown in there. The meats consisted of prosciutto and pancetta. The berries consisted of strawberries, blueberries and grapes. The cheeses were a smoky gouda and a VERY sharp Pecorino cheese, which happens to be my favourite cheese EVER. The platter was $10 and between us two, was a great way to spark our palates for the night. For our pizza, we chose The Jovanotti: Prosciutto, Pepperoni, Mozzerella and Robiola cheeses. The pizza, as basic as it may sound literally blew my mouth away. Right after I had the first bite, I knew I was in love with this place and that no other pizza I have ever had in my life could compare with the first bite of this one. All of the ingredients played with each other so well and the CHEESES...OMG....they were so good. I could have eaten the whole pie by myself, but I was being modest. I'm really excited that I've found this place, as I'd heard nothing but great things about it from friends and I can't wait to try everything on the menu!
(5)
Marco F.
I just had lunch at Hot Italian with a few coworkers. We ordered pizzas and a pizza/salad. I ordered the basic pizza (Cannavaro, which is really pizza margherita). The pizzas are about 1 foot in diameter and enough for a big lunch. Thin crust and true to the italian original! I'll definitely come back, bring back more friends. The staff is very eager and service was super fast. The espresso is perfect. I did not sample gelato. My friend had pizza Fiore, with mushroom, rucola and prosciutto - very good. Overall I am very happy that I have this pizza option for lunch!
(4)
marko i.
My favorite pizza spot hands down. Staff is always friendly. Space is always clean. Beer is always cold, and the pizza is always top notch. Price reflects upscale quality of food. I would recommend this place to a friend. Menu changes pretty frequently but the standards are always there...
(5)
Damon Z.
Hot Italian filled the missing link at Emeryville Public Market. This inviting space is, in my opinion, the best pizza spot, west of the train tracks, in Emeryville. With its massive ground-to-high-ceiling windows, colorful gelato display (which is hard NOT to notice from the sidewalk), and walls decorated with modern Italian bicycles, the mind can't help but be intrigued. A couple of weeks after this location opened, I ventured over with a friend to see if Hot Italian was a hot spot. The open-concept space is occupied with a combination of pub height tables and stools, and regular dining tables and chairs. Community seating is the norm here, so we hopped up onto one of the tall stools, and were quickly greeted by a server with a bottle of house water, and the offer for additional beverages. The easy-to-interpret menu, had over one dozen pizza choices, which were also available as paninis, a few salads, cured meat plates, and even a few weekend brunch items. After glancing back to the open kitchen, and seeing the cooks hand tossing pizza dough in the air, I oped for pizza, while my friend chose a panini. The Murino pizza, had slices of red pear, mozzarella, gorgonzola, and a drizzling of honey, on a thin crust, which, by itself, was delicious. The honey accented the pleasantly pungent zest of the gorgonzola, and overall, the pizza stimulated each of the five taste regions of the tongue. My friend's Magnini panini, which had smoked salmon, mozzarella, marscapone, and fresh greens, was folded in between, what looked like oversized science experiment of yeast. However, upon first bite, she was pleased to realize that it was an airy fresh baked bread, which would not render her weighed down. Though she enjoyed the freshness of the bread, some disappointment was expressed, as the smoked salmon was rather sparse. This, however, didn't prevent her from fully consuming both pieces of the panini. As for myself, the pizza, which is rather plentiful in diameter, disappeared fully into my digestive system anyway! The restaurant's interior has a clean and simple design. The black and white interior is modern, and lends it self to making you feel youthful and social. Additionally, the large windows flood the place with plenty of natural light. The patrons appeared to all be similar to myself, 25 - 45, no children, and casually dining with friends. Our server was friendly, and fully knowledgeable of the menu items. On the next visit, I've got to save room for gelato!
(4)
wendy W.
Pizza # 32 amazing. I can't stop thinking about it. Every ingredient is of superior quality. Even the mushrooms were the best mushrooms I have ever tasted. I can't wait to go back and have another #32! The restaurant also has a nice, somewhat trendy, but not pretentious atmosphere. The wait staff was very friendly and helpful. The Hot Italian is a great new find.
(5)
Moses H.
I love the Hot Italian in Sacramento - the original - with its pleasant outdoor area, the great bar, etc. I was really happy to see this second place open up - they have some of the best pizza in the Bay Area, on par with Little Star IMO, a nice thin-crust authentic Neapolitan courtesy of their very Italian pizzaiolo. Great, fresh ingredients, lots of flavor, good prices, nice place. I'll definitely go back.
(5)
David C.
This place is pretty poppin, but it's pretty whatever. Maybe it's because I'm not a big fan of thin crust pizza though so that pretty much makes this review useless. The waiters are friendly, but ours was a little strange. He was just not very smooth. They set it up like a bar setting where you seat yourselves and you get helped eventually. There are lots of different options on the menu and the pizza was alright, but it almost floated into the air because it was son darn thin. The chili oil made the pizza nice and flavorful so that's one benefit to that. I probably won't be going again, but instead I'll be swinging by the food court next door... Have you seen that place?! There are a million things to eat! But Hot Italian is a nice place to check out at least once. Cool hipster place that seems pretty fun and poppin. the Great, GumZ
(3)
Carrin B.
Really great pizza that was served so quickly that my husband and I were shocked. The service was fabulous and the gelato to die for. We will be back!
(5)
M M.
THIS REVIEW IS FOR SERVICE ONLY. I ended up walking out. I stood at the counter and waited to be helped and no one addressed me for a few minutes. I finally walked around the gelato counter to a few staff members and asked to get gelato to-go, the waiter said he'd be right over and he never came. I watched him look busy and put away cutlery instead of taking my order. It was a bit infuriating to watch him. There were two other people behind the register talking and laughing with each other, so I tried to make eye contact with them, but they seemed to be ignoring me. My suggestion is if you're on break then leave the service area. The service at Hot Italian is terrible!!!! I walked in right before another couple and they were as baffled as I was. No one approached us or even made any signs of selling us any food. On a quiet Tuesday night I would hope for better service. Oh well.
(1)
L K.
Wow! The Hot Italian has a loyal customer in me. My family had lunch here one weekend and loved the food and service. Pizzas remind me of those served in Verona, Italy and are incredibly delish. The simple menu of pizzas, calzones, salads and gelato makes this casual, modern bar a unique place to eat and hang. But what drove me to write and give them 5 stars was when I held my son's soccer team gathering. Most hipster hangouts would not accept kids, but Hot Italian was totally cool and calm about it. Vince, the Manager reserved tables for us on a Friday night and was very accommodating, friendly and flexible with changes. Ari, our server was calm, extremely attentive and overall amazing! Stellar food, spacious casual surroundings, good friendly service...I love this place. And I'm not easily impressed by many restaurants in the Bay Area. Thank you Hot Italian!!!!
(5)
Diana M.
Great spot for Emeryville! This is my kind of joint - not too fluffy, still casual, yet trendy! Clean, spacious, and decent menu! Friendly servers, chill environment. Not sure how the bikes are associated to HOT ITALIAN but whatevs. Their appetizers are a real treat. My faves so far are: PIATTO DI SALUMI & FORMAGGI - a little bit of everything - cured meats, cheese, almonds, pizza crust dipped in olive oil - YUM! PROSCIUTTO E MELONE - Good portion of meat and thick slices of sweet, fresh cantaloupe! SO GOOD. I have only tried one type of pizza and can't seem to get enough of the Fiori. I grew up with round table/pizza hut/mountain mikes/etc, where there is a lot of cheese, lots of meat, and lotsof grease! Don't get it twisted - I still love me some pizza but eating the Fiori makes me feel like I'm eating a "HEALTHY" slice. =) Pizza is pizza and I'm sure it's got a lot of calories but I don't care - if you put arugula as part of my toppings, then I'm thinking that I'm eating salad. And as for their dessert - the pistachio and stracciatella gelato are BOMB! So glad you found a home in the bay and not just in Sacramento!
(4)
Matt T.
Always delicious. I could eat here 24/7. Perfect pies every time. Best in the east-bay, have yet to find better.
(5)
Jenna T.
Bomb ass thin crust pizza! The waiters are a little off but that's okay. Haha Went here with my friends to catch up and grub. Pizzas are 13 inches which sounded intimidating but not to worry- easily can finish half and pop in the left overs into the oven when you get home and it's still very good. (My friends and I didn't share cause we all have very different taste in food haha) I ordered one of the popular ones the waiter suggested. I can't remember the name of it but it was topped with prosciutto, mushrooms, and arugula. It was so good! I recommend using the chili infused olive oil and rosemary infused olive oil at the table- excellent additions in my opinion and a nice change from the standard chili flakes and extra Parmesan cheese sprinkle. And lastly what I mean when I say the waiters are a little off- two waiters got confused and both kept trying to help us and both were awkward in their own way. Haha one of them seemed extremely shy while the other one kept trying to hurry us out of there. Overall 4 stars for their delicious pizza. And I'd give their service 3 stars.
(4)
Stephanie H.
Oh Hot Italian, you make me wanna lounge the day away eating your scrumptious thin-crust pies while washing it down with some good wine. When can I come back and experience this once in a lifetime food pleasure? I'm not a thin crust pizza gal, but after eating here for the first time this weekend, I am truly regular fan. I got the Gorgonzola and pear one with a Pellegrino and a salad of vinaigrette, fresh greens, and blood oranges. SO refreshing. If you ask me if I finished a whole pizza, the answer would be an astounding YES. I can't wait to do it again! I ordered my pizza and waited about 10-15 minutes before it was ready. Fast. Modern decor kept my eyes scanning and the variety of wines available taunted my senses to want to come back on date night. I did catch the gelato and sorbetto section next to the bar--a huge plus and add on to my already high praises of this joint. Oh and did you know they sell bike gear and paninis too? SOLD.
(5)
Meridith L.
I drove by Hot Italian today and turned around to try it for lunch. Definitely a new restaurant, but it has tons of potential! Dining mostly in Berkeley, the prices are surprisingly refreshing: about $3-$6 cheaper than comparable Berkeley fare. The ambience is good with a minimalist Italian flare and soccer matches on multiple screens. The menu is impressive, with tons of salads, pizzas, paninis, and calczones to choose from. The wine and beer menu has good options but not much of a selection. I had the Panini Magnini (smoked salmon and marscapone) and 2 glasses of the Soave. Overall the food, drinks, and ambience were good; and the service was pleasant but slow. The entrance is confusing with multiple doors, no host/ess, and service counters and the bar lining the walls...had to ask if I was to seat myself. I enjoyed my lunch and the ambience. I will definitely be going back here and will be watching in hopes kinks get worked out and I can give them 5 stars.
(4)
Paula L.
I love Hot Italian. Since they opened in Sacramento, I have been waiting anxiously for their debut in the bay area. The pizza is delicious and authentic. The place is modern and comfortable. The servers are friendly and efficient. What more could you ask for? Try it!
(5)
Sheri C.
Hot Italian just wasn't for me, at all! My son (adult) & I thought we would give it a try before going to a movie. After seeing the positive reviews we thought it would be really great however I was a bit disappointed. We both had pizza (pretty much what's on the menu) & they were just o.k., not great by any means & a bit oily. $50 including tip for food only at lunch seemed a bit high. Maybe just an off day for the place, however with so many great places in the area too try I think I will just pass on Hot Italian in the future.
(2)
William H.
My wife is vegetarian, I'm not. I usually have to compromise for some tasteless mush on crust so we don't have to order separately. But in this case, I think I have found my new favorite pizza. We dropped into Hot Italian since the folks next door were already cleaning up their mass produced plates of noodles, meat, and rice. We were hungry and it was getting late, so this upbeat place with the great smell was inviting. Our server recommended the Basso as a veggie favorite. When it came out, I hit it with a shot of the picante oil (no crushed red peppers here). Wow, it was a mouthful of full on flavor like you'd expect from a pepperoni pizza. I backed it up with a grapefruit Pelligrini and was easily satisfied with my four slices. Maybe if there was a little more ambiance and better lighting, I'd give it a full five stars. But, I will return there again most anytime I'm around Emeryville. Great place.
(4)
Bayarea K.
Pizza wasn't bad but wasn't the best either. Cons: no red pepper flakes!!!!
(3)
Marc F.
Walked in for lunch thinking that a "Hot Italian" place would offer a meatball sandwich.... but no, that's not on the menu. So I order the caprese pannino with prosciutto. I waited and waited. I'm patient because you don't want a pannino to come out too quickly because it won't be crisp and melted through. You cut the ciabatta, assemble the sandwich, and put it in the press until the cheese runs out. Simple, right? But then I saw people who had ordered pizzas after me were getting their food! Finally my food came out and it all became clear. Hot Italian is not actually serving pannini. It's just a pizza folded in half and cut like a sandwich. It's not a crispy ciabatta or foccacia roll cooked in a press, it's just pizza dough cooked flat and then folded over. And my 'sandwich' didn't contain prosciutto de parma, it was black forest ham and the advertised parmesan reggiano was not present. So Hot Italian was a complete and total failure with respect to the food. The service at the bar was prompt, friendly, and fine but that didn't make up for the train wreck on the food.
(1)
Nicole W.
Fun, hip place with a cool vibe. Great location - walking distance to UA Emery Bay 10 and other stores near the Marketplace and Powell Street. Ample seating and friendly staff. The pizza is delicious. Caprese salad to start, which, aside from being a little heavy on the herbs and light on the mozzarella was very satisfying. Highly, highly recommend the Materazzi pizza. Sans olives, it was melt-in-your-mouth wonderful. The crust is thin but not too crispy, and not too chewy; and the cheese is amazing. Some of the best pizza I've had in the area so far. To top it all off and quench my thirst, the Vigorelli Lemonade. The limoncello and mint are very refreshing compliments and only $6! Pizza, salad and drinks for two ~ $40. Just wish I'd had room for the gelato so I guess I'll have to go back!
(4)
Susan M.
We love this place - great concept of sharing long tables, sports TV on the wall, cheerful and attentive servers, and great food! Their #1 seller is the Fiori pizza (#25) and it has arugula, prosciutto, mushrooms, and truffle oil. Great combo! We ordered 2 pizzas and a salad for the 3 of us and still took home some leftovers for $41, no drinks.
(5)
Valerie C.
Pizza was ok, nothing really "wow-ed" me. I've had better.
(3)
Lisa W.
Great pizza great service. Everything else in the public market looked kind of dicey, glad we chose this place! Great pizza and the service was excellent. Skip the Swedish meatballs at IKEA and head for the Hot Italian!
(4)
Amanda B.
The food here surprised us by tasting way more "artisanal" and less "corporate" than the location suggests. Service was professional and friendly. Atmosphere is uptempo, casual, good for either a twosome or a group. The freebie pizza crust bread treats have something highly addictive sprinkled on them. I've learned not to show up at home without some leftovers in a box! All in all, a great experience.
(4)
Sarah K.
Good local spot for pizza and a beer (though takeout from Rotten City Pizza is better). There are big long tables, so it's a great spot for groups. The pizza is good (not quite amazing), the salads are good (don't order them to go - I don't know what happens, but you end up with four pieces of soft lettuce), and best of all the gelato is delicious. For Emeryville, it's definitely a good spot.
(4)
Ourania C.
This was a great disappointment. Bad service. Pizza was okay but the frittata was uneatable. Raw egg dripping all over the plate, 3 leaves of spinach and 4 mushrooms. And do they wash their dishes. I don't think so . An overwhelming odor from my water glass almost made me sick. I will never go there again!!!!!!!!!!
(1)
MC L.
After a long day in the city, my girls and I went here for dinner. Great service and food. I got the smoked salmon/mascarpone/dill thin-crust pizza. They also have these chili pepper and rosemary infused olive oil to put on your entree. WOW. And their dark chocolate and mascarpone gelato. WOW. Everything was pretty much... awesome.
(5)
Ayanna B.
This review is for the takeout gelato service only.... My daughters and I loved coming to the Public Market for dinner and ice cream and were so upset when the place was reconstructed and the ice cream place was GONE. So imagine how excited we were to learn that Hot Italian serves gelato right next door - perfect for us as we usually eat in the car on the way home. We have been here twice after enjoying dinner at the market. I did not post after the first time because I wanted to give the server/bartender the benefit of the doubt. The service here (perhaps just the bartender as he is the one responsible for serving the gelato?) sucks. It seems like it's just an incredible pain for him to serve gelato as part of his job. He has been unfriendly the two times we have beeen here. The gelato case is right smack in the front door when you walk in - I assume this is for passersby like myself, not just for diners in the restaurant. If they are interested in having people stop in for gelato - and perhaps consider having a meal here at a later date - it would seem the gelato takeout service SHOULD be better. It doesn't help that the teeny tiny scoop is over $3, which I wouldn't mind paying if the service were better. The bartender put my check, credit card, and pen IN A GLASS (?) on the part of the bar in this super narrow spot next to the gelato case, points to it, and walks away. I usually add a 10% tip to takeout orders, but left it blank because of the service. We'll probably go back because kids don't care about this kind of thing, but I will probably try to convince them to get smoothies inside the market instead.
(1)
Scott Y.
This meal was surprising awesome. Pizza options were very shih shih in a good way. Great open table atmosphere, reasonable prices, and really great pizza and appetizers. They have a nice selection of cured meats as well that was highly enjoyable. Salads were great too.
(5)
Rick B.
delicious espresso, pizza, and gelato! Good service, too...
(5)
Anne R.
Hot Italian has become one of our favorite pizza/dinner spots in the area. The first time my boyfriend and I dined at Hot Italian it was after seeing a movie at the UA Emerybay 10 theater. We were both impressed that they stay open later than most of the pizza places near us. We decided to split the pesto pizza, #11 ligabue, and if we had been hungry, it probably would not have been enough food. Nowadays we both order our own pizzas and I usually have a few slices leftover to bring home. We also chose 2 scoops of gelato for dessert. We have come back to Hot Italian many times over the past few months. My favorite pizza is #46- gattuso with pumpkin puree, scamorza and mozzarella cheese, fresh parsley, sage oil. My boyfriend has raved about # 43casalegno, roasted yukon gold potatoes, crescenza cheese, pancetta ham, rosemary oil. If you're in the area I would definitely recommend stopping by Hot Italian and trying one of their inventive, delicious pizzas. The mix of toppings are creative and the crust is great (esp if you like thin crust). Hot Italian also offers pick-up service if you can't dine in.
(5)
Nico S.
A place that doesn't have a liquor license yet I feel like I am sitting on patio funature, oh wait I am.... the bar seats don't have backs, the bar doesn't have a foot rest. Its a very uncomfortable place to eat.
(2)
Tyler B.
We moved to the East Bay and came across this place by accident one day doing errands. I'm glad we did because it's now become one of our "go to" places. It's definitely one of the best (if not, the best) pizza place I've been to in the Bay area. It's always very fresh and light, not greasy, and we've tried several different pizzas and salads. The environment is fun and casual. We've always received great service and everyone we have ever dealt with has been incredibly friendly and accommodating. I'd definitely recommend it!
(5)
Jill C.
Hailing from the East Coast, I consider great Italian food hard to come by out here. I've tried a fair share of pizza in the East Bay, but nothing like Hot Italians. They nailed it. Thin, perfectly crisped crust, excellent sauce that was neither too bland or too sweet, and great flavor combinations for the toppings. The chile and rosemary oil are unique offerings as condiments to spice up your pizza. I definitely intend to make a return visit and possibly try a calzone or panini. With the excellent service we received, this place has the makings for a happy customer!
(4)
negar s.
Honestly it is about time that we get a real pizza joint- Not a crummy round table one- but one that is more kid friendly than Pizzaiolo but has creative fresh delicious food- not too mention GELATO! YUM! My kids love it, I love it- so good
(5)
John S.
Went to Hot Italian for dinner last night and it's way overrrated. Had salad and two pizza. Salad was skimpy, pizza cold and flavors were- shall we say wierd. I didn't like the loud, chaotic ambience and the food was barely passable but uninspired.
(2)
S G.
Just tried their pizza and salad, it was okay. Friendly staff though but food was just okay for the price. $14-$17 for a 13" thin crust pizza with not enough toppings. I will probably go there more often if they add more toppings on their pies.
(3)
Hailey C.
This place is delish! Definitely the best place I know in the area for pizza. Loved the Izzo salad and Fiori pizza - be sure to add the special chili oil on top! Best to save room for the gelato while you're at it.
(5)
Yao S.
Great spot to chill with your bike, complete with outdoor service and seating for you and yours. Fresh hot food on order and a nice selection of beers, cocktails, drinks, and soda to quench your thirst. Go there while the sun's still out and the weather still dry!
(4)
Mary O.
Best tasting pizza in town!
(4)
Thao T.
I usually go to the public market for lunch and hadn't heard very good things about Hot Italian. However, our friends wanted to meet up here for dinner, and it was surprisingly good. Reminded me of pizza antica in santana row if you are familiar. The salads were really tasty and the pizza was really good. It was also great for sharing or eating on your own, depending on how hungry you are, and the prices are reasonable. I like NY style thin crust more than deep dish, so this hit the spot if there is a bigger party.
(4)
Kelly B.
Oh, Hot Italian. Why do you do this to me!! Why are you sooo good to me, and at the same time dangerously over satisfying!? I love Italians. Especially hot ones. But what's to love more than that, is great pizza paired with Italian beer. I've enjoyed Hot Italian twice first hand, and that's all that it took to hook me. I sent some New Yorkers here with discerning taste buds, and I'll say that they were dazzled enough to bring the family back just two nights later. I highly recommend the Murino, and no, don't save it for dessert! Savor the pear and honey right along side your usual savory flavors and you will not regret it. We also ordered the Piatte Di Salumi & Formaggi, and it was the best way to kick off the meal. Topped it off with a Peroni beer, and I was in heaven. My highest hope is that Hot Italian makes an impression on the Public Market and the area can get a little taste for tastier food and we'll all reap the benefits of yummier options on this side of Emeryville. Remember that parking is super easy here! Bonus!
(5)
Megan M.
I just found a large black fly in my arugula salad. When I told the server he seemed unconcerned and unapologetic. When the manager came over to speak with me she said that these things happen because their letuce is organic. No appology just an explanation that it wasn't a big deal. Really? I wonder if the Health Department feels the same way about bugs in food. This experience makes me wonder what else is in the food and how much the management really cares about their customers. Disappointed.
(1)
Jennifer T.
I've been here twice now. I really like their spinach salad and their pizza is ok. Not the best, not the worst. The second time I went I got a salumi and cheese plate. It was fine, however, the server didn't tell me what kind of cheese or salumi I was getting. Since I can't give half stars, I gave 3, but my real rating is 3.5. The main issue with the place is the service. While the servers are friendly, they are a bit slow. After ordering my drink, I said I needed another min to look at the menu. My server didn't come back for about 10 min. After we got our food, she checked on us, but then we didn't see her again. We had clearly finished our food and was just sitting there waiting to be checked on. A busser came by at one point and it seemed like he was about to ask if we needed anything else, but ended up just clearing our plates. We had to ask him for our server to get our check.
(3)
Sheena S.
I heard good things about Hot Italian, but I was disappointed by the food, and more so, by the service. My experience at Hot Italian was by far the worst dining experience I have had in the bay area. First, we weren't sure if it was self-seating or not. Once we figured out that we needed to scramble and find our own seats, we found a space at one of the high top tables. Then we proceeded to wait not 5, not 10, but 15 minutes for a waiter to notice us, give us a menu, say hello, anything. We did not receive any service and by then I guess I should have known to leave. I wanted to try the food, so I went to the bar and asked the bartender if we could have a menu and/or waiter. He handed me menus and told me to come back to the bar to order. I would have expected him to get a waiter to our table ASAP...another bad sign. So I went back up to the bar to place my order. One of the waiters finally brought over our food, but disappeared again, no apologies, no explanation. The pizzas were a major disappointment. Flavorless, limp and not as interesting as the menu made them seen. I will not be going back.
(1)
Giacomo F.
I was born and raised in Italy so I'm pretty biased when it comes to pizza. While I can appreciate NY and Chicago style pies, true pizza for me will always be the kind I could get at home. Hot Italian brings yummy, authentic Italian pizza to the Bay Area. I've been to the Sacramento location countless times, and I was so excited to hear they were opening just across the bridge. I went last weekend and was not disappointed: fresh ingredients, killer dough (durum wheat baby), lots of flair. Fabrizio is a top notch pizzaiolo and a nice guy to boot. Looking forward to a San Francisco location...please tell me it's happening! About portion size: one pizza is probably enough to feed ONE moderately hungry adult (just like in Italy). When my girl and I order two, we usually end up with a few leftover slices. The quality is stellar and, as with most things in life, you get what you pay for...this ain't Round Table, folks--you can actually taste the ingredients, which for the most part are locally sourced (or when necessary imported from Eat-aly). Favorite pizzas: Pezzo, Briatore, Fiori, Cannavaro, D'Alessio. I wouldn't bother with the salads, but hey, to each their own.
(5)
Sylvester N.
Came here with a small group of friends for dinner. I got the piadini with salmon and mozarella. I've never had the combination before and was amazed by how good it was. Probably the best piadini I've ever had. Beer comes in nice pitchers and glasses. I didn't have a pizza but they looked good. I also got an americano which they do serve! Overall, 3.5 and not 4 stars because I thought the menu was a bit expensive for the amount of food you get. Maybe throw in some bread to start off with?
(3)
Salvina B.
so i've been here enough to write this review. i like this place. the pizza is good (any of their pies with arugula or some sort of lettuce is rather amazing), the service is friendly, and it's fairly priced. i really enjoy their cheese and salumi plate as an appetizer (2-3 people)- and their salads are also very fresh and lightly dressed. my favorite pizza (and i forget the name of it, sorry!) has prosciutto, arugula, and truffle oil- to die for. i also really like the sausage pizza, and the rosemary oil that's at your table to dip the crust. they also have gelato! yum! and 'carafes' of beer. or a pitcher, as i like to order it ;)
(4)
Scott B.
One of the better vegan-friendly pizza joints in the Bay Area, I just wish they would flaunt that a little more. Their use of quality ingredients and creative toppings is excellent. And while I'm very glad to know they have vegan sorbetto, I also happen to know their supplier offers vegan gelato (not an easy find) but sadly, Hot Italian does not carry it.
(4)
N. R.
Very good pizza , excellent service . I'll return, but not too often because it's a bit pricey.
(4)
Tiffany E.
Wasn't expecting much when we stumbled upon this place at the Emeryville Market. Seating is strange, ambiance is kinda blah but I was pleasantly surprised by the food. Pizza crust was flavorful and crisp, toppings were fresh and well-balanced. Ordered a great salad of mixed greens, olives and shaved fennel that was well dressed and a great accompaniment to our pizza. Cocktail list was lacking (ordered a mimosa that was just okay) but the wine/beer list was fine. Would go here again if in the neighborhood.
(4)
krys s.
an elite yelp event got me here, and boy was i impressed! i admire their extensive menu and how creatively strategic each of the flavor palettes were. for example, the murino! it consists of seasonal pears, del rio farms honey, mozzarella, gorgonzola dolce cheese? who would have thought! my favorite was the fiori: prosciutto parma, mozzarella, mushrooms, tomato sauce, arugula, and bariani truffle oil. anything with truffle oil is a win for me. yum!
(4)
Jones E.
Been to the one in Sac as well. Absolutely love this place and the vibe. They did a great job here. Great place to enjoy pizza and beer.
(4)
Nia Q.
We went here for the first time last week. The service is great. Drinks SUCK! Pizza was OK, not horrible but not great. It was kind of soggy and not thin and crunchy. I like thin-crust pizza to be crispier and it was not crispy. I would recommend trying it out at least once.
(2)
Suz L.
Thank you! It's great that I don't have to drive to Sac to get my favourite pizza! Hands down the best pizza in the bay. The crust is thin, crispy and yet a bit chewy and ingredients are fresh. Must try for any pizza lover!
(5)
Rom D.
Now this is the place for real pizza. You'll get something tasty with knife and fork to eat with !
(5)
Samantha S.
So good. The pizza is delicious, I'd definitely recommend the bellucci, it was amazing. I'm a big fan of the fiori too. If you're with a friend or two, try getting the salumi & formaggi plate as an appetizer, then split a pizza or two. The plate comes with pizza crust (kind of the same idea as pita bread at a mediterranean restaurant) that you can put all of the toppings on, and they've also got this delicious hot chili oil. I've got a pretty big appetite, and this was actually too much food for me, but so so good! Very well priced for the amount of food you get and the leftovers are great too!
(5)
Henry C.
Hot Italian is a little to hip for me...pizza was okay at best. Ordered like 4 different pizzas i think 1 out of 4 was really good, others were ok to bad...FYI do not order the filet mignon pizza, its hella WACK (its a speciality pizza)...Don't see myself going back for pizza. Best thing about Hot Italian is the Large selection of gelato ice cream. The ferrero rocher gelato is good. Service was good.
(3)
Mimo K.
Nice creative pizzas. Lofty warehouse atmosphere in a normal boring shopping center. Good unique beers. They also have a gelato bar if you want dessert afterwards.
(4)
Kim H.
yum-yum for the tum-tum 2 adults and one 4-year old were in our party; we ordered the salumi plate, the pizza with mozzarella, marscapone, and ham, and the pizza with potatoes and prosciutto. Everything was delicious and nearly scarfed down (had to throw in the towel and bring food home as there was too much for our stomachs to handle despite a valiant effort). The atmosphere is casual with some hip. Sitting at one of the high tables by the windows was great for the view but got rough on the backs as there are no back supports on those stools. If you sit at the regular tables, you have to share with others. But it's all cool - people are there to eat pizza, drink some beer/wine/cocktails, and maybe watch a game - so all are pretty happy folk. This is definitely a good spot to go when in Emeryville where you are otherwise surrounded by uninspiring chain stores and restaurants .
(5)
Ed P.
I had high expectations but was sadly disappointed. Simply put, you don't get what you pay for. We bought a few pizzas which were mediocre in taste (we've had better for less), paid our bill, and went next door to the Public Market and had a complete more satisfying meal at one of the many delicious food kiosks.
(2)
Robert D.
Cool place clean and a nice menu.We ate outside and had a nice lunch.We had a calzone.
(4)
Thomas E.
Wanted to try anew place for lunch. So suggested to my GF lets go to`Hot Italian. Was weary of going right after noon due to lunch crowd...but, it was nice and quite and not very busy. We tried the (99) Piatto Di Salumi & Formaggi. Cured meats, cheese, marinated olives, marcona almonds, seasonal fruit w/sliced pizza crust. Very good (loved the pepper olive oil to put on the pizza crust). My GF ordered a pizza-(25) Fiori Prosciutto parma, mozzarella, mushrooms, tomato sauce, arugula, bariani truffle oil. Im more a meat person so i liked it ok-just wouldnt have had the arugula on it for me! She really liked it though. I had a calzone-(07) pepperoni, olives, tomato sauce, mozzarella, fontina cheese. Delicious !!! Unlike any calzone ive had in size or shape before. Very large. Finished with a caramel salato & dark chocolate gelato - YUM So while waiting for our food and eating, saw what others where having too. Panini's looked very big and good, and salads looked wonderful. Service was excellent (Thks Eric)-attentive but not to much. Will be back to try other items on the menu soon-give it a try and you'll agree
(4)
Chris A.
This place has suddenly been a new favorite hangout for me. Love the food, drinks, and desserts. Price is reasonable. WiFi available. What more can you ask for? Well maybe couches to make it a but more loungy... But it's damn near perfect. Glad I found this spot via Yelp!!! :)
(5)
Marissa S.
Loved it, it was great!
(5)
Jim M.
Good thin crust pizza with creative toppings, gelato bar, fun funky bicycle decor, and local pizza delivery within a 2 mile radius - by bicycle only :)
(4)
Mina D.
Pretty good pizza. Thin and not greasy. We ordered pepperoni and olives and the pepperoni was spicy and tasty.
(3)
Becca P.
Great service and pizza--what more could you ask for?
(5)
Doug L.
Good food. Trendy pizza with stuff like fennel sausage and artichokes, but not bad!
(4)
Mrs. M.
My boyfriend and I were in the mood for Pizza, and not a chain commercial type pizza so we looked up pizza joints in the area. He read off Hot Italian, so we decided to try it out. First off it is in an area which is pretty nice, new, and hip. We walked into Hot Italian and at first was a little confused by the place. It looked very modern, hip, clean... bikes on the wall, Black and white colors.... not the pizza joint you are thinking. So we ordered a pizza with pancetta, pepperoni and mushrooms. It came... it smelled amazing... but the flavors... WOW. The combination of the flavors on this pizza was great! every bite was awesome. Very little ingredients. but perfectly placed, and the pizza dough was great. So, go here. Its not going to be an "authentic looking" pizza place, but the food is to die for! Great job guys! :)
(5)
Alan A.
Best thin crust pizza in the East Bay. It's so nice to have another independent restaurant in Emeryville instead of the usual generic chains with their soulless food for the masses. Also a great place for large groups as long as you don't try to hit them at lunchtime on a weekday. The office crowd keeps this place hopping during the work week. However come the weekend, you can generally find a seat for weekend brunch for you and your party.
(5)
Gina W.
In reality this place should really get 2 stars but since they just opened up and are brand new, I'm hoping the 3rd star will increase to 5 one day. We went for lunch and the interior right when we walked in was a bit confusing, no hostess or waiter to seat you at the door and patrons aimlessly wandered around until someone noticed them. We got a table and the waiter was friendly and took our order right away. Then the wait began. Considering its all pizzas, sandwiches or calzones.. it seems like the food should come relatively fast. There seemed to be a lack of waiters or a lack of organization but our wait was long til our food came. I tried the potato pizza, was good but sounded more interesting than tasted. Calzones were impressive in size but mostly had a ton of cheese inside versus meat. Took another wait to get the attention of the waiter to get our bill and boxes for leftovers. I had high hopes for a neighborhood Italian joint besides CPK but for now.. I'll wait until the service is better.
(3)
Morgan L.
Came here with my cousin right when they opened. We were the first of the day! The first thing I noticed about this place was the decor. Very classy and modern. I loved the black and the accent chairs at each table. The bicycles on the wall were visually appealing as well. We ordered very quickly because we'd been looking at the menu before the place opened. We got the smoked salmon pizza with dill, mozzarella, and marscapone. Our server's name was Eric, and he functioned more on the practical-side of serving (greet, ask for drinks, order, bring food, check back, bring the check...) nothing very snazzy about the service, but he got the job done well anyway. I liked that they gave us our own water carafe! The pizza came really quick and mm it was quite delicious! Never had salmon on a pizza before but it was yummo with added pepper and rosemary oil. OH! But the best past were the bathrooms! I walked into the private stall, which was teeny tiny room and contained only a toilet. I was confused for a mo until I looked behind me and saw the trough-style sink. Pretty snazzy! Is that how bathrooms are in Italy? Perhaps I'm just easily impressed but I loved it! Probably the only thing that could be improved was the seating. All the seating options were long tables, so if you were in a small party like me (2 people), you had to sit at a huge table with 6 other empty chairs. Oh well! I liked this place a lot.
(4)
Danielle S.
While in the Bay Area for work I was super excited to try out the newest location of downtown Sacramento's Hot Italian! I phoned in my order for pickup since I needed to get some work done in my hotel room, and was pleasantly surprised at the open appearance and location of the new spot! It's located in a really cool area with tons of other restaurants and businesses. More of a community vs a stand alone business. The space is very open and brings the modern vibe of the original location. I walked up to the bartender who I had spoken to on the phone to pick up my Materazzi pizza which had the thin crust, sauce, pepperoni, olives with mozzarella and fontina cheeses melted on top. He offered me something to drink while I waited, nice touch! As I was waiting for the food to get packaged up he also offered some olive oil, napkins and utensils. Again, much appreciated! I couldn't help but noticed the gelato being served next to me, but somehow I managed to resist the temptation! I sped on down the street back to the hotel to devour what I knew would be a delicious feast and boy was I right! I love Hot Italian because one pizza equals two night's of dinners. Perfect for a busy girl on the go! The crust was crispy, the sauce wasn't overwhelming and the cheese was melted at just the right temperature to achieve the perfect cheese bridge from my mouth to the slice! I tend to take the Sacramento location for granted, but after this trip I think I will be rethinking that decision!
(4)
Shirley P.
Very Nice! The pizza is great and the service was friendly and good. I had lunch and enjoyed the variety on the Menu. I did have to order a couple of pizzas and a salad for three people but it was very good and everyone enjoyed the gelato for a dessert at the end. Very yummy in deed! The place is clean and trendy with a black and white theme.
(4)
Melody S.
I love the vibe at this place. The atmosphere is social - we sat at the bar but the rest of the tables are communal. The food is high quality and the prices are reasonable. The service was great. I'm happy to have found a fun local place and I'll definitely be back!
(5)
Royce C.
Coming from the East Coast, I've found California pizza to be fairly lacking. No more! Hot Italian is by far the best pizza I've had in the Bay Area. The crust is amazing, the sauces are flavorful, the drinks are interestingly different and the service was great. I have a new favorite pizza place!
(4)
Marie E.
Love the pizza & excellent customer service. I come here as often as my pocket book will allow. I want to try the brunch.
(4)
Gina L.
Hot Italian has inspired me to write my first ever Yelp review. I've been a fan of the Sacramento location since it opened and am SO HAPPY that there's now one in Emeryville, much closer to my home! From the hip, modern esthetics and green design to the friendly and efficient staff to the delicious, authentic pizzas, panini, salads, cocktails, dessert pizzas and gelato, these two locations ROCK IT! Go now! I guarantee you won't be sorry, but you might become Hot Italian addict.
(4)
Tito Y.
had second pizza...enjoyed some beer.... great..no surprises.
(5)
Sebastien D.
Went here with my family and everyone loved it. The pizzas are amazing, great taste with a thin crust that compliments it well because it does not detract from the taste of the toppings. They have fresh food and toppings that can be prepared in panini style, calzone style, or pizza style and they have salads and appetizers. The deserts are also very good and amazing, and the atmosphere is great. This place does not break the bank, so there is really no reason to look elsewhere for good Italian Pizzas.
(5)
Carmella B.
I went to the Hot Italian today to have pizza. Had never been there and wanted to try it for the first time. We were greeting by a nice waitress giving us the best water we had ever had. So the water was good we thought the pizza would be great as well. We order the #7 pizza and requested mushrooms to be added. The pizza was $14 on the menu and $2 for mushrooms. I had no problem with that. The pizza came and it didn't have the mushrooms added so I asked the waitress to take that off the bill. The pizza was so thin you could see through it and the bottom was burnt I mean black burnt between the burnt pizza and the hot pep. on the pizza all I could taste was the burnt pie. We were hungry so we starting eating but started taking off the burnt pieces. We had more burnt that than we ate. We let the wait staff know and they were willing to cook another one but we just wanted to leave and go home. They gave us some ice cream to make up for the pizza which was nice but when I got the bill they over charged me for the pizza. So I paid $15 for the burnt pie plus I left a tip because the wait staff were nice and they shouldn't lose a tip because the cook can't watch the time he as to cook a pizza. It wasn't busy there were maybe 4 tables of people at 11:30 and they couldn't get my pizza right and then overcharged me. If you want to go for pizza save your money and go somewhere else.
(2)
B C.
I stopped in for a scoop of gelato after a visit to Public Market. Very reasonably priced and perfect sized dessert! I had the dark chocolate which was fantastic. I love that they have bike parking AND a dog friendly patio (there's even a water bowl)!
(5)
varun c.
Amazingly bad service. Left after waiting for 35 minutes for a pizza and then being told that it would take another 15 minutes. That too when it was not very busy.
(1)
Christopher S.
Yelp claims this restaurant is open until 11:00pm, however we went by on a Friday and Sat nights around 10pm and they were closed. Don't trust the hours on Yelp.
(3)
Jessica M.
Way too expensive for the little amount of food you get. I spent $17 for a calzone that was mainly bread. It had very little stuffing in it. It was not filling at all (It was the size of 2 Costco slices of pizza). And the taste was nothing amazing. Oh well, you live and you learn. I will stick with Zachary's Pizza from now on- they are expensive, but at least you get a nice amount of pizza.
(2)
Tracy J.
Hot Italian is now my favorite pizza place!! The Zambrotta on the pizza crust is out of this world.
(5)
Rafael R.
Surprisingly fresh and delicious. Their calzones are out of this world. Great place to have fun. Very nicely decorated and lighted. Very open and the service was better than i expected. Will come back for pizza.
(5)
Jeremy H.
My God. This place has totally blown me away! The gelato is PERFECT, The Citterio panini tasted heavenly and had the right amount of each ingredient(mozzarella, ham, spinach, and parmigiano cheese). I know I'm coming back to try everything on the menu!
(5)
Nick C.
I know Emeryville only has a few great places to eat, so we should be happy anytime a restaurant opens up here, but still this place just isn't worth it. This is mostly due to the service. It isn't clear if you seat yourself or not, then the servers seem to think you need to approach them for service. This has happened every time we've been there. Pizza is meh, Gelato is overpriced, icy, and sort of artificial tasting. If you're on foot, and your ankle is sprained, go here, otherwise look elsewhere.
(2)
Arthur H.
I had the distinct pleasure to visit Hot Italian. The service was attentive and quick to take our order. As a minimalist when it comes to my food, I was glad to be persuaded to add pepperoni to my cannavaro pizza (cheese, tomato sauce and basil). The pepperoni was superb quality with a peppered flavor; not in anyway comparable to the imitation pepperoni by American pizza chains. The basil gave it a refreshing seasoning that complements the pizza. Despite the complaints of the crust being soggy, I had no such issues. My pizza was cooked so that it was pleasantly crispy. I shall return again, very soon.
(5)
Mia C.
my original moments-after-the fact review on the corporate facebook page read as follows, "hot mess! at least in Emeryville. if my visit today had been a mystery shop they would have failed. all i wanted was gelato, not a healthy serving of pretty boy attitude from the barkeep! don't argue with the customer if (a) they are Italian and (b.) you don't know that nutella is a hazelnut chocolate spread, so even if it's gelateria NAIA's it still not a substitute for nocciola gelato! it's gonna take a lot of goodwill on my part to make it past the "asporto" window next time!" to the credit of the administrator (possibly even one of the hot italians/semi-italians behind the newbie chain), i got an almost immediate response and an invitation to accept a free pizza on them and give them a chance at redemption. classy and proper! two days later, 10 minutes after opening for the lunch crowd, i bypass the "asporto" (take-away) station in favor of a quiet family-style long low-top and subtly (not!) open up my laptop to the hot italian facebook page and my strand of comments. i inform my friendly (but not obsequious) waiter Eric that I am there to enjoy a pizza with a side of "special circumstances!" he looks puzzled and after my brief explanation of said circumstances, his body languages seems to reflect the imaginary 2 tons of pizza dough i have apparently dropped onto his shoulders! to his credit neither his voice or his verbiage betray his "crap, why me" mental dialogue. bravo! i order a "pezzo" pizza with speck and mascarpone - with an addition of fresh arugola on top- which arrives in an appropriate time frame thin, hot and crispy. the ice water with lemon flowed freely and complimented the salty-sweet-crunchy-grassy combo of the pizza. disclaimer: i did have to sprinkle salt on the pizza, which despite the savory meat, seemed to lack actual salt in the dough. enjoyed dipping the crust into a pool of house-made rosemary-infused EVOO (i suspect the base what the Bay Area's own Bariani olive oil) on my pizza peel plate, perfect lunch + people watching ('cause lets face it, the staff is HOT!) + italian soundtrack transporting me back to my native land. ordered a small salumi & formaggi plate to go, which was by far the most beautiful take-out meal i have ever purchased. greens, perfect orange wedges, plump blueberries, tasty green olives and a perfect combo of italian meats and cheeses in one box + a second box of a whole sectioned plain pizza perfectly seasoned with oil, herbs and (yes) salt. enough for a nice lite dinner for two. redemption. e bravi hot italiani!
(4)
Brent A.
its a step up from the food market next door.
(4)
tme s.
Just left an amazing dinner here with my friends and what a night! The service was impeccable and the variety of options they have on the menu was perfect for the whole crowd. We ordered 8-9 different things for the table and every single one was as good as the next! I can't wait to come back here soon!
(5)
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Address :5959 Shellmound St,Ste 75
Emeryville, CA, 94608
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch, Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
The immense popularity of Italian cuisine globally isn't unknown. You can find an Italian Pizzeria around every corner of almost every city in the United States. Not to forget that in every house, people enjoy mac and cheese as comfort food. But it would be wrong to believe that Italian food starts with pizza and ends with good pasta as this Mediterranean country has much more to offer other than these two dishes. In Italian Cuisine, there is a high use of fresh tomatoes, all kinds of herbs, great quality of cheese, all types of meat, seafood and fresh handmade pasta. Many find it hard to believe that Italians have been making noodles long back.
Italian and Greek cuisines are always mistaken to be same, but they are poles apart. The primary difference between the two cuisines is the use of cheese in most of the Italian dishes. Italians love to cultivate their own cheese and process them as per their food requirement. It is believed that some cheese is so expensive that cheese producers secure them in lockers.
If you are bored eating the same old pasta or pizza, you can try some of the authentic Italian dishes like Risotto, Polenta, Ribollita, Lasagna, Fiorentina Steak, Bottarga, Ossobuco, Carbonara, Focaccia, Arancini and Supplì. Another item which Italians love to relish every morning is a good cup of Italian Coffee. Once you taste a freshly brewed cup of Italian Coffee, you might not visit Starbucks ever again. Authentic Italian food is made with heart and soul, so go find a restaurant where you can relish Italian cuisine in your city.
Pizza
Pizza is a famous Italian dish savored around the world. The entire credit for the popularity of Pizza in the United States goes to the chain of pizzerias all over the country. While the base and the texture of Pizza remains same across the globe, it's the toppings that differs from country to country. In the United States, you will find the top pizzerias serving pizzas with the toppings of mainly beef, bacon, chicken, ham, and sausage for the non-vegetarians. Other than these famous meat options, Pizzas with veg toppings such as mushrooms, pepperonis, garlic, tomatoes, spinach, etc. are also famous in most restaurants in the United States.
Irrespective of your locality, you will find a variety of different restaurants in your cities offering pizzas of all different types. Pizza is hot favorite among people of all ages in the United States. A large size pizza is enough to feed a family of 3 or 4 at large. Pizza is also the most preferred food whenever a group of friends is hanging out together. Pizza gained popularity in the United States after the American soldiers stationed in Italy returned from World War II.
Over the years, different pizzerias in the United States have developed their own respective regional variations. Pizza gained popularity as the iconic dish in the United States in the second half of the 20th century. Whether you prefer thin or thick crust pizza, you can find a pizza of your preference at the best pizza restaurants in your city.
Shandi A.
If you want authentic Italian, and just pizzas, calzones, paninis, and salads then I'd say this is a great place. I went with a plain cheese pizza because I'm a picky eater. I wanted Hawaiian but they said that they don't have pineapples. So again, I chose just cheese. If I eat plain pizza, I like to dip it in ranch so I asked for that. They said they didn't have that either which was a little shocking to me since they have salads. I only eat salad with ranch so I could never eat their salads! The decor is nice and the server was really friendly. My review would've been higher had they had the small options I wanted. But you can't please everyone. Overall, a good place to visit!
(4)Roberto D.
Really cool great bike savvy pizza spot! Loved the decor and the friendly service. Awesome bike parking and stationary repair center located just outside the front, for anyone who needs a quick repair. They also had frozen vegan options, and a nice selection of vegan pies and salads. All in all I definitely would go back.
(4)Sean H.
Fantastic. We stumbled upon it for a late dinner last night and were happily surprised. The appetizer was GREAT (salami & cheese platter), but came out a little later than we'd have liked due to a LARGE party of people taking up our section. Not a particular fault of the restaurant, so I didn't count them off. Salads were exceptional (both spinach; we weren't interested in being too adventurous); the pizza was very good as well. We basically had a margeherita-style (we added fresh tomatoes), and it hit the spot. The gelato was a great finish to the meal. PLEASE TRY THIS PLACE!
(5)Emmett B.
The pizzas were all unique and all had Italian names that I cant pronounce. All the pizzas were thin crust and the ingredients were fresh. I guess you can say the pizza were more traditional Italian and catered more to an "artisan" taste. In other words, this not a place if you're looking for good greasy pizza. Also tried one of their salads that was served on top of foccacia bread which was also really good. And their chili oil is AMAZING! You definitely need to the foccacia and pizza crust on the chili oil to give that extra kick and flavors Shouts out to the bald headed tatted server w/ black frame glasses. He did a good job giving recommendations on the menu, since this kind of pizza was very new to us.
(5)Lily S.
Nice place, impressed with the manager really hands-on with customers and the orders, nice portions beautiful salads would go back!
(4)Annie W.
I guess I realized I am a fan of doughy crust after my dinner here. But even still, I found this place to be insignificant. The crust was slightly burnt on one of our pizzas, and even if it wasnt, I still doubt it would have changed my review very much. We had #1 and #32. 32 had weird-tasting mushrooms...and I normally love mushrooms of all kinds. 1 was just...boring. I was expecting more cheese and more flavor since they put so many toppings on their pizza. Also, we got a pitcher of beer for $13. Probably the best part of our meal. Service was good, but we had everyone serving us, not just one person (maybe it's a team-service restaurant?) I would recommend you go elsewhere if you have a hankering for cheesy, doughy pizza. This isn't the place to appease that craving.
(2)Peter G.
I LOVE this place. Cool atmosphere, amazing pizza that's not your standard fare, and the friendliest staff you'll ever meet. Perfect place to grab a bite and a drink or two before or after a movie at the nearby theater. I have eaten most things on the menu over multiple visits, and the food is consistently excellent and service great. Do yourself a favor and check it out.
(5)K S.
It's one of those places you'd expect to be crappy. Their other location is in Sacramento, that hotbed of culinary innovation. They're adjacent to the Public Market, AKA the "abandon all hope, ye who enter here" foodie non-destination. They have a cheesy name. Something just seems off. But you're wrong. I've been here a couple times, and the pizza was delicious. D. Licious. The ingredients are top-shelf, and the menu has an admirable degree of variety. The atmosphere is comfortable yet trendy, and the staff are great.
(5)Jilly C.
Thin crust pizza- good House made oil- good Salad with yummy cheese- good Gelato- oh baby! Its right across the street from my building, oh i will be back. That smoked salmon pizza is calling my name...
(4)Marvin P.
The pizzas are unusual and delicious. There is just one size and many of the ingredients are not your run-of-the-mill ingredients. Staff is warm and even gave us the chili oil that is served when you eat in (we have only ordered to go here). The restaurant space itself is pretty warm and always seems to have soccer on the television which is a plus.
(4)Turi F.
When you live in Oakland, going to Emeryville is sort of like being plopped down in the middle of suburbia, and sometimes that's fun. The interior is sprawling, airy, and spacious. I really enjoyed the brunch pizza we got, along with a salad. I wanted to try their gelato, but I resisted for once.
(4)Shirley W.
I love this place! They serve great thin crust pizzas. They have these flavored oils (rosemary and habanero) that you can dip your crust into it which I loved. The only down side was that the chili flakes were an additional $2. We shared 2 pizzas between the 2 of us and it was more than enough food. We tried the fiori and citerrio pizza. Both were equally delicious. I really wanted a scoop of gelato which was from naia gelateria and I wanted to try one of their dessert pizzas, but that definitely calls for another trip out to Hot Italian!
(4)JASMIN O.
Great service. Plenty of parking. Good food & menu variety. Decent pricing My kids really liked watching the workers make/bake the pizza. BUT - I'm not a fan of super thin crust.. - i LOVE my beverages. So to be confined to water, coke, iced tea, and flavored pellegrino.. made my soul hurt, to say the least. Ugh, should I mention that I was pregnant at the time, so their gorgeous bar was not an option?! Overall a good experience. I would go with friends who invited me.. but probably not out of my way for myself.
(3)Michael L.
Pretty good pizza, decor is a little cold, but they more than make up for it with a good quality pie!
(4)Greg P.
Love this place. Original pizza and calzone recipes with great flavor and casual atmosphere. Not Chicago style pizza, but really good neopolitan style. Plan on trying them for brunch some day
(5)Kevin K.
4 Stars is right. -Food was really good; I got pizza and tried their gelato. Both were tasty, satisfying, but not the most amazing things ever. -Service was friendly, but sort of slow and even awkward at times (but it was late, and I'll give benefit of the doubt and say they were burnt out--but still...) -Ambiance was pretty cool; it simply embodied what they set out to be a cool, hip, trendy Italian spot with a hint of old-school bar. -Price... I'm on the fence about if I feel good about the price I paid. I am leaning towards "worth it", but nothing in terms of taste and satiety put me over the top. So last words: it's a great place. I am glad I went, and would go again, but I'm just not dying to.
(4)Colleen B.
Loved it. We ordered the 32 Jovanotti with pesto instead of tomato sauce and it was delicious! Also had the 12 Citterio panini and the prosecco cocktails. Excellent service from Marie & Brian. I'm actually more of a pizza hut pan pizza kinda girl but their pizza has a freshness that is very gourmet and pleasing. Go, you'll love it.
(4)Tessa V.
Wanted to try something totally different, so I ordered the smoked salmon pizza which did not disappoint. Especially with the chili infused oil. Enjoyed the salad - really fresh ingredients. And if course the beer and gelato. Looking forward to trying other items on the menu. Service was quick and friendly which is always a plus.
(4)Av A.
I like this place. Only had their gelato so far but every flavor I've tried was really good. Their smallest cup comes with two scoops, and you can choose two diff flavors. Apart from delicious gelato, this place also serves up pizza, with a full bar to boot. What's better than a pizza joint, bar, and dessert all in one?
(4)Jen J.
Fantastic thin crust pizza with fresh ingredients. Lots of options, including calzones, panini & salads. Wi-Fi & large tables makes it the perfect meeting spot. I always meet at Peets next door but it's crowded, loud & 90% of the time I'm outside (ok on nice days.) - I found my new meeting spot. Great coffee & great team. Everyone was over the top nice. They even have a beer & wine bar.
(5)Mike B.
Picking up my daughters BFF from Amtrak station I resorted again to some Yelp roulette and happen across this cool place - Ambiance - ok Service - good Variety - so so Food - very good This is a 3 1/2 star place , for whatever reason it's not cozy feeling but its comfy , wish they had some pasta - An Italian Guy with no Lasagna ? Clam sauce ? But what they have is good ! Would I make a special trip to this place ? Maybe - if in Emeryville I'd very much stop by often .
(3)Frances B.
We got the Stella with egg (it was our breakfast). We were pleasantly surprised by how much we enjoyed it since we usually prefer a thicker crust. We came during lunch time on a Friday & there wasn't a crowd, yet the food was fabulous and the service phenomenal. We may be bak for dinner tonight.
(4)Marcella W.
My husband and i got the olives as an appetizer and 2 pizzas. It was delicious. I have been craving pizza for awhile and it was completely satified after eating here. I enjoyed the flavor of each ingredient instead of tasting a ton of sauce, cheese, and dough like with most pizzas out there. It has a very thin crust which is nice because i dont feel stuffed with carbs.
(5)Carol W.
As my pisanos in Brooklyn would say, It's aiight. Just okay. Frankly, the NY mentality about pizza is mental illness and because California takes this mentality to another level, we respectfully agree to disagree on many things. And just as I respect the Chicago sensibility on pizza and can find understanding in the love for Zachary's Pizza (deep dish, upside down with toppings compared to NY's thin crust or Sicilian dough/sauce/toppings/cheese designs). Hot Italian isn't rich nor read....it's kinda overdone if you really ask me, especially since Rotten City Pizza in Emeryville on Hollis and 66th is more delicious and ridiculously cheap (plus they sell by the slice, like any sensible NY-style pizzaria does. Too many other options in this area for me to love it and if I'm gotta do pizza, Rotten City and even California Pizza Kitchen in the AMC/Bay Street location would please me more.
(2)Anastasia G.
Great place with great pizza. My husband invited me to spent our dinner there. When I came he already ordered 2 pizzas so I can't tell the exactly name. The First one was with salmon and cheese. It was not just baked salmon, it was a little bit smoked thin long slice :) plus cheese it was great, delicious. The second one was with cheese and mushrooms and egg (plus 2$) I liked them a lot... Both...:) Service was good too. I hope I'll be back soon :)
(5)Charleen C.
This place is pretty cool. Service is friendly and relaxed. If it's your first time I recommend the FIORI for sure. If you like spicy put a little of their chilli oil. Mmmmmm. I normally togo because I live right across the street but you should definitely sit down and eat here because the pizza will taste 10x better fresh out of the oven. By the time I take mine home is not the same because it's all thin crust. I haven't tried their gelato yet but maybe ill stop by when I walk my dog. They look like they have some tasty choices like tolberone and salted caramel. Drool...I recommend trying this place at least once if your going out with a friend after shopping =)
(4)Ann M.
Yummy, I just love the Pepperoni Pizza. It has a nice spicy flavor that is just perfect on the pizza. Toby is a great server as well. We try to always get her section.
(5)Gorgeous P.
I like the pizza. I eat here when I'm feeling in the mood for fancy pizza ingredients. lol I love the gelato. Some of the best I've ever had. I hate the communal tables. #no-new-friends lol I'm not sure why every place is doing water in these refillable bottles now. My bottle had mold in it and now I can't drink from those bottles anywhere. The server was good about it and gave me my soda for free...but still... Eww! Note: this review is from last year.
(3)rori nicole z.
used Caviar to deliver. got the vegan "multi" vegan + vegan cheese. it was all olives. so many olives. terrible. I ended up throwing the whole thing out. also delivered cold.
(1)Ann L.
Tried out Hot Italian in Emeryville, it's next to the Public Market. You can enter through their front door or the food court has a door too. They have lots of long communal tables/chairs, so no individual 2 or 4-top tables. Can get really loud in there. B. got a glass of House Red Wine $7 - he seemed to like it, I didn't try. We shared a pizza $13 (#12 Citterio fior di latte mozzarella, spinach, prosciutto cotto, mozzarella, parmigiano reggiano cheese) with extra basil $2- Soggy middle, thin crust, cheap ham. Not that good. Salad Sozzani $8 was average - it had spinach, blue cheese, pears, pinenuts. Meh. They had 2 oils on the table: some herb kind & a chili pepper one. I liked the pepper one better. 4 unisex bathroom in the back, trough sinks outside. Charged the meal.
(2)Scott P.
My wife had been here previously but I had not. Overall, this place is pretty neat and overall I think a pretty good find. It is decorated with soccer and cycling stuff, celebrating two of Italy's favorite sports. Plenty of room and seating at least for time we went for lunch. We got the pizza with prosciutto and arugula and the 12 CITTERIO pannini. The crust of the pizza was pretty good. I usually like a bit more tomato sauce but it had good flavor, good cheese and the prosciutto and arugula were very tasty. I liked the pannini a bit less but it had pretty good flavor. They also had chili oil that you could add some spice to your dishes and it was very tasty and not too hot. Lastly, we had a glass of Chianti to accompany the meal and it was very tasty, did not have too much of a tannic acid finish like some Chiantis can have. Overall, we were very pleased and would go back.
(4)D. F.
Pretty good pizza, no complaints because you CAN actually screw up a pie if you don't know what you're doing. Family oriented space, very quirky but nice and compartmentalized in terms of their offerings: beer, gelato, pies, plates and bike gear??? OK cool/Out!
(4)Rustin L.
I'm always in search of authentic, thin crust Italian pizza, like I had in Italy. Let's just cut to the chase...the calzone with pepperoni and mushrooms was phenomenal (actually with olives, but I replaced with mushrooms), the "margarita" style pizza wasn't as special but good. The calzone gets 5 stars, the pizza 3. Cool place with relaxing, modern, spacious vibe. Service was passable, but could have been more attentive. Will definitely be back whenever I'm in Emeryville which is often.
(4)Farheen M.
My daughter says that this place's pizza is really good. The service is good too. The lady who served is was nice to tell us what size the pizza is. She also welcomed us too. Although it was a good resturant the music was too loud and the wait was kind of long. They also serve gelato too. I suggest this place to anyone in the mood for pizza. Over all I thought that the place was trying too hard to be an east bay hipster hangout.
(4)Mo L.
This review is based on the lunch item I ordered. # 56 or 58. This multi- cheese Panini with caramelized onions was pathetic. Super melted cheese saturating the very thick Panini was the worst Panini sandwich I've ever encountered. And the panini bread itself was overly thick and hard to chew. Thinly filled, it was an all around joke (tasteless). Be careful what you order here.
(1)Bob B.
I was very surprised after reading the positive reviews. The vegetarian pizza I ordered was so BLAND - the tomato sauce seemed to have no seasoning whatsoever. Punch it up!
(2)Ladonna A.
If you're looking for a spot that enables the fanciness in PIZZA, this place has got it! This place is the spot if you'd like to feel the true Italian in piSSa! From their one of a kind pizzas made from fresh meats and veggies, to their awesome hot sauce (which i knew how to make), you'll leaving feeling full in a good way. They also serve beers that compliment you're meal well as well as italian ice cream (GELATO!). i love going here if i want to binge but still feel great after! Must try!!
(4)Nick S.
I decided to take my mom & girlfriend here, we are all first timers. Our waitress (Margerette)* was quick & very persuading since the menu is a little overwhelming at first. Food was excellent, the crowd was loud as we watched the FIFA game (Netherlands vs Costa Rica)!! I HELLA recommend this place food was B O M B!
(4)Yordano R.
Ok I just stopped by for a quick early dinner since I was hungry while , the waitress was great supper quick and very welcomed, don't know her name but she was awsome she is tall blond with green eyes. Give her a raise pls. Food was great and my cocktail was on point.
(4)Elizabeth K.
Guys! What's happening? Ordered pizzas to go last Weekend and you were out of pepperoni ? It's like saying we are out of pizza! I ordered a Murrano instead and you were crazy stingy with the toppings!? Just crust = bland & boring. We rave to everyone about your pizza! But we were so disappointed.
(2)Judy H.
Sorry to break it to ya, folks, but this is not a spot to pick up hot Italians. Despite its deceiving name, Hot Italian churns out some amazing pizzas. The décor is very open and modern. Huge windows allow plenty of sunlight to illuminate the restaurant. Cool bicycles hang from the walls with funky beats playing in the background. Hot Italian's theme centers around the community, sustainability, and green living. They have a bar if you're looking for some nice cold beer to wash down your pizza. They also have a gelato bar for those with a sweet tooth. Hot Italian serves gourmet bar-style pies (is that an oxymoron?). Their pizzas are thin-crusts, which leaves plenty of room in the eater's stomach for beer. Hence, the full bar. The pizzas are worthy of 4 stars but their dark chocolate gelato deserves a single star on its own. Yes, it is THAT delicious, creamy, and mouthwatering. This restaurant is consistently good (I've had several experiences here). My last visit was especially hot (see what I did there?). Our waiter was super cute! When he brought the check, he even informed us that the bill already included gratuity. Such a nice young lad! We started our meal with salumi (pork). We ordered the Lonza: seasoned pork loin with kabocha squash puree, arugula, and pomegranate. This comes with sliced pizza crusts, which provided a crunchy snack. Soooo amazing. Couldn't get enough of the sweet puree and the pomegranate provided a tangy splash. Pizzas and calzones were delicious! I recommend the Bortolami pizza with fennel sausages and mushrooms. This was my coworker's pizza but I had a slice and I loved it! I'm actually a huge fan of pizza crusts. Yay, carbs! The thin crust had a crisp, crunchy, and slightly chewy underbelly. Perfection! The zesty tomato sauce and fennel sausages were a match made in heaven. I only wish that they were more generous with the mushrooms and evenly distributed them onto the entire pie. Now to my pizza, I had the Fiori. It was tasty with a solid amount of prosciutto and fresh arugula. I enjoyed it. However, I was totally craving the Bortolami. Dark chocolate gelato. Just get it. You will understand why I'm obsessed. Correction: there MAY be some hot Italians dining at this restaurant.
(5)Jess R.
Where do I start... Everything here is delicious! Seriously; I don't think you can go wrong with anything on the menu. The pizzas are so fresh and light, you don't feel as bloated after you've had a couple slices because the dough is so thin. Oh, and while you're here don't forget to pick up on the dessert. Their fresh gelato is mouth watering. My personal 2 favorites were the Toasted Almond and the Pistachio, but I honestly don't think you can go wrong with any flavor. If you're ever in town I would recommend you stop by. Heck, even if you're not in town you should come by... Definitely worth the drive.
(5)Esprit S.
I came in on a Saturday night for a quick bite before heading to the movies. I order the AQUILANI salad, which came out to be a bag of arugula and four pieces of pumpkin. The remaining ingredients in the salad were nowhere to be found. Salads I pick up on my weekly run to the grocery store trump these. Additionally, the older man that took my order at the bar was gossiping and complaining about his co-workers. I'm not a fan of this place
(2)Alice M.
As soon as I walked into Hot Italian, it felt lively and fun. A little hectic though and my friend and I were a little confused about how to get seated. Once we figured it out, we were seated right in front of the guys making the pizzas and calzones (dinner and a show!). We ordered a couple of cocktails and the Bellucci pizza (homemade fennel sausage, mozzarella, and topped with balls of fresh ricotta). We liked the cocktails -- sweet but strong, and we sat sipping and watching the pizzas being carefully made as we grew hungrier and hungrier. Once the pizza came out, we jumped on it, and I immediately asked for red pepper flakes. "I'm sorry.. we don't have red pepper flakes," said the server. I thought he was joking. What kind of pizza place doesn't have red pepper flakes?! Instead, they offered a substitute of chili oil. I was skeptical, but I decided to try it anyway. First, the pizza -- I liked the crust (thin and a bit smoky), the sausage was less good -- tasted almost like frozen sausage that had been warmed up, but the pizza still tasted good. The chili oil -- AMAZING. I didn't even miss red pepper flakes with this stuff. Interesting and yummy. To end, we scoured their gelato bar. Yes, they have a GELATO BAR. When we heard they had Ferrero Rocher gelato, we had to get it. Anddd it was delicious. Can't ask for more than Ferrero Rocher gelato. Hot Italian, you are fun, cool, and yummy. I will be back for more :)
(4)Erin G.
What I ate: Benassi pizza, Casalegno pizza, blood orange Pellegrino Visit date: December 1, 2012 First time? Yes. Best pizza I've ever stuffed in my face. The bike-inspired decor (e.g. handle bar hooks!) and warehouse feel make this pizza place pretty hip if you ask me. But let me focus on the pizza and impeccable service! The Benassi pizza (limited edition pizza) is topped Swiss chard sauteed with pancetta, pumpkin puree, roasted kabocha squash, and pesto-goat cheese. This pie was crazy tasty! The salt from the pancetta, creaminess of the pesto, sweetness of the squash, and crunch of the dough all harmoniously blended to make, hands down, my favorite pizza. The Casalegno pizza has roasted yukon gold potatoes, crescenza cheese, pancetta ham, and rosemary oil. Not as stellar as the Benassi, but still a rock star. Who can say no to pizza topped with potatoes? The oils are pepper and rosemary infused and are a must-try. My favorite is the pepper oil (obviously!). These are perfect for dipping pizza crusts or your whole pizza. Writing this review makes my mouth water! I'm too excited to return and try other menu items. Also, they have gelato and a full bar that I need to try. Our waitress was so friendly and helpful. I had her explain the limited edition pizza for us twice and I asked her so many random questions about the restaurant; she didn't seem the slightest bit annoyed. Why not a 5? I have to keep coming back to test for consistency. QC is just as important as love at first taste.
(4)Michelle D.
Overall: thin pizza up against some stiff competition Pros -Murino - d'alessio Cons -materazzi Sidenote - It's not bad but not great either. Considering its location, there are lots of other pizza places that I would rather go to.
(2)Jimbo M.
Good food, plenty of parking and I didn't find it super expensive for good quality "foodie" pizza.
(4)Luby H.
I actually wasn't always a fan of pizza, but Hot Italian was a big part of this metamorphosis. One day after a 9 mile hike across the Bay Bridge, we were hungry campers who first came looking for food at the food court next door. Bummed that there wasn't anything appealing, we decided to try out this pizza joint (which was right next door) and didn't expect much other than being a tummy-filler. To my surprise, it was one of the best pizza I've ever tried. After browsing what seemed like endless selections, we opted for the special of the day which was a Duck pizza with arugula and squash, and The Bortolami. The service was superb, as the waitress was extremely attentive, and the pizza was served in less than 20 minutes. Considering the fact that it was probably a made-to-order pizza, that's like lighting speed. The most important part was, both pizzas came out to be extremely delicious. My favorite of the two was definitely the Duck, but I am not sure if that's even offered anymore as it was explained to us as the special of that day. If that's the case, they need to add this to the menu or make it the special everyday! It was so goood it needs to be permanent! For dessert, we tried the gelato liqueur, which was your choice of gelato served with your choice of liqueur. I opted for the Caramel gelato in Kahlua, and surprisingly, it was actually very good. Not too strong but the perfect blend of sweetness and alcohol. If I am ever around the area again, I am definitely coming back to this restaurant. With countless pizza selections, I am excited to see what else they have in house!
(5)Albert C.
Expensive but high quality pizza. For the same portion, their pizza is maybe 2X more expensive than Pizza Hut, but not 2X more delicious. Had it carry out so no comment on their service.
(3)Learnee L.
So glad to see a cool pizza place in E-ville. Hubby and I decided to come over and cool ourselves down (it was a pretty warm weather). The place is pretty big, very open space. No hostess. seats were modern. We ordered cocktails but they were all weak so we ended up ordering beer and chardonnay. For apps: we ordered the Salami plate: really good esp the cheese. The pizza bread was abit too much though. For pizza: we shared Fiori pizza- truffle oil, prosciutto and a bit of tomato were awesome combination! Food were great although we wish we were advised that we were going to have too much bread with our order Cocktails were different but weak. The service was good. We'll come back for gelato and other pizza.
(4)Timm M.
I found the service friendly and fast, and the food arrived in good fashion, not super fast, but not super long either. I had the better pizza, it was like a bagel and cream chees pizza, delicious. My wife had the better salad, a spiniach salad with raisins, pine nuts, a great dressing and just yummy....this is a repeat and a keeper, a bit pricey tho....a salad would be enough for a meal, or a pizza would be enough, but start combining and your $$$$$ do up, up, up....
(4)Chris L.
I like this place! Trendy and clean - a great place to catch up with friends. Plenty of parking and it's conveniently located next to the Public Market. The pizza is served on a thin flatbread and the ingredients are fresh and tasteful. They have long black tables with bar stools and you can share tables. Everyone is friendly here! I believe Katie was our server and she was super attentive and sweet. We were all about the pumpkin ingredients on the menu. To start, we ordered the Aquilani Insalata - arugula, roasted kabocha pumpkin and pumpkin seeds, candied walnuts and fresh pomegrante. It was $10 and served on foccacia bread. So yummy! Three people can split one salad on the foccacia bread. Then we had the Gattuso pizza (pumpkin puree instead of tomato sauce - GENIUS, smoked mozzarella, fresh parsley and sage oil). We also added the pancetta ham for $2. It was so good! The pumpkin gave it a sweet kick and the pancetta was not too salty. The mozzarella was freshly shaved into tiny curly cues - super cute and flavorful. Then Katie offered us a little gelato tasting since we couldn't decide the ones (two flavors, golf-ball sized for $3.50). We tried the pistachio/vanilla/chocolate spumoni, sierra nevada beer gelato, white mint chip and chocolate. All were excellent but we both chose the white mint chip (SO GOOD). I also had the salted caramel gelato, which is perfect for caramel lovers like me. The pistachio was also very nutty and pungent - so good! I definitely would come back!
(5)Hosai H.
Good pizza and nice location.
(4)Cindy L.
It was either the Public Market or this place...after a walk around the PM, we decided to try this pizza place. Service was great...the server was informative and friendly. We ordered two pizzas and a Plato de Salumi to share between 4 adults and a toddler. Pizzas: Nibali and Bellucci. I really liked the Nibali but my brother in law liked the Bellucci. The crust was thin and had a nice chewiness to the crust. PIATTO DI SALUMI & FORMAGGI - decent plate of mixed cured meats and cheeses. The small ball of goat cheese with the jam over their olive oil pizza crust was delicious. I could've just ordered this item and a couple of beers and it would've been perfect. A nice touch was the infused chili olive oil for dipping. A tiny hint of spicy but I still wished they offered chili pepper flakes. They don't. :( If I still live in the Bay, I think having happy hour here would be fun. A nice full bar and pretty darn good food to go with the drinks.
(4)Jenny T.
E-ville has evolved so much since I started living there. It's been turning hipper than any city that I know of. So, for Hot Italian to pop-up into town has made living here hipper than hip. But can I call myself a hipster? Nope, I don't think I qualify since I'm such a nerd. This place rocks in terms of ambiance, food and beer. It's decorated in chic black, white high stools and cool black tables. Who wouldn't want to hang out there just to chill with pizza and a tall glass of frosty beer? Only problem...little nerds, like myself, find it hard to get into those high stools - hymph!! They are built for big people... Come one, come all...fun fun fun!! Tip - if you order the Peroni beer, you get the glass for free. At $5.50 a beer, it's consider a bargain.
(5)Jennifer W.
I love the idea of this place. It's young and hip Italian, not the rustic and traditional type of Italian. It has the warehouse garage type feel, with large windows from floor to ceiling. I like the bicycling theme, with some fancy bikes hanging from the walls, though they look purely for decor. There are some nice racks outside too. There seems to always be a race playing on the projector, but also another television at the bar with a game on. It's a shame this place is hidden in a sea of parking and away from any street frontage. There are pizza combinations that can be served as a pizza, calzone, or panini. There are salad toppings that can be served as a salad or as a pizza (on top of the crust). I would say one pizza per person is way too much. I would go with one pizza per two people and get an appetizer, dessert, drink, etc. Aside from the waiter service, there is also a gelato, wine, and coffee bar. They serve Illy coffee and Naia gelato. The gelato are all neutral colors, none of that unnatural-looking food-coloring. They have a decent wine list and some fruity cocktails too. As for the beers on tap, there are a couple of California ones (Racer 5 and Sierra Nevada) and a couple of Italian ones (Peroni and Moretti). They do brunch too, which I'll have to come back for.
(4)Christina L.
New Italian place in the Emeryville public market. Service: The servers here are pretty friendly. The first server I had here was amazing! He recommended that we try the chili oil and I loved it. And he was very prompt with our orders and refilling our drinks. A few other servers that we had here were good, but not as great as the first one (wish I remembered his name). Food: The pizza here is amazing! Belucci (sp?) - my favorite pizza here! Try it with added spinach. Yum! Salad pizza(s) - also amazing! the salad as fresh and the pizza breading went very well with it. gelato - the tiramisu was by far my favorite gelato here. highly recommended! Overall: I would absolutely recommend this place to others. They are reasonably priced and their food is wonderful!
(5)Ariana C.
Food was a'ight. And they decided to add more tip to the tab on their own - as I discovered later on while looking through my credit card bill.
(1)Bryce D.
Wife and I had seen this place before while we were getting our Peet's fix and we finally tried it out. Man, this place didn't disappoint at all!! We got the spinach salad with goat cheese, plums and almonds and we each got our own pizzas. Let's just say that we didn't have leftovers after 4 hours. We couldn't stop eating it!! This will be our go-to pizza place when we have our cravings. Service was a bit slow, but our waitress was great in explaining the menu to us since we were first timers! We will be back for sure
(4)Mercy D.
Oh my gosh. Came here for the first time during a Yelp event and was introduced to the newest Hot Spot in E-ville! We were lucky enough to try a piece of some of the most unique pizzas in town... my personal fave was the Murino - pears, gorgonzola, mozarella and honey - kinda sweet, kinda salty and very different from the standard pizza I've gotten from other pizza places in the area. Cheese was stringy and the crust was near perfect; not too thick or thin, doughy or tough but kind of light with a little texture and has some flavor! In addition to their long list of unique pizzas they also have a nice modest list of wines, beers and cocktails to choose from. The two I got to try was the bellini and arancia rossa (blood orange), both excellent mixes! While you munch on your pizza and sip from your glass of wine/beer/cocktail/water you can watch the soccer game on the large screen TV. Yeah, they only play soccer! Or at least I think that's what I heard one of the servers say when someone asked about the Giants game... And if you don't like sports you can certainly just enjoy a nice conversation with your companion and appreciate the simple decor - the bikes hanging on the wall, the soccer memorabilia and the high ceiling that makes you think of a warehouse... I just wish they were open later! 11pm on Fri and Sat is just way to early..
(4)Charles R.
After many trips finally a (slightly) discordant note. We ordered the piatto di salumi this morning and feel obliged to note that compared to earlier visits the meats had declined in quantity and quality. The portions of salumi were smaller, and only one was dry cured. The lomo was good but neither the salami or mortadella were worth the time. The olives were unchanged, but today's cheeses were uninspiring if innocuous. Grumble. But the friggin' pizza remains the best in town!
(5)Wrecking B.
The food is delicious - 5 stars. However, the wait staff gossiped about customers all evening. The Asian guy wearing school-boy glasses, the African-American woman with red hair and the short guy with the blond hair dye from last night were heard talking about tables. They ran in and out the kitchen to gossip with one of the cook too. The reason for three stars included the staff behavior. They really disturbed the atmosphere with this display of juvenile behavior. Additionally, the place is loud. Apparently, they have never been to Italy because you don't sit with people at large tables you don't know. In short, call in and get your order to go.
(3)Angela L.
It's.... okay. Every time I pass this place when I'm at Peets or public market, I peek in and wonder how the food is. Since I had the day off I decided to finally venture in and grab some food to go. I ordered the Bellucci pizza and the piatto di salumi & formaggi. The server was quick and friendly, so they get points there for sure. The food left a bit to be desired. The pizza was definitely not bad, but wasn't amazing. They make their own sausage, so I was expecting tons of flavor, but it was a bit plain to me. The piatto di salumi was good, but again didn't blow me out of the water. The chili oil is to die for though! Maybe I'll come back to try their gelato and the smoked salmon pizza I see everyone raving about. But with the prices they charge, I'd much rather get pizza from rotten city, cheeseboard, or arizmendi's.
(3)Esther Y.
I've been to Hot Italian in Sacramento and was very surprised to see this place newly opened one day while walking by. Then I got the opportunity to come here for an intimate Yelp Elite event (which then caused my boyfriend and I to come here again on our own with a couple friends later!). We tried several pizzas, which I don't really remember anymore, but I liked the ones with arugula on them. They're pretty thin crust, so much so that you might have to fold your pizza in order to eat them without dropping everything. My favorite part of the night though was the chocolate pizza. This one: ZUCCHERO organic italian chocolate hazelnut spread rolled in our pizza crust and dusted with powdered sugar (serves 2-4) SOoOOOOOoooOOOOOoOOOO GOOD!!!!! Love.
(4)John H.
Nice to see a Sactown eatery expanding to the Bay! Props to enterpreneur Andrea Lepore, part of the local Hot Italian that's been open a few years now in midtown Sac. Pizzas are thin, the giant oven imported from Italy, cool bikes hanging from the high brick walls. As with all thin crust pizza, I like to specify "dark bake" to make sure the crust is crispy on the edges and not gooey in the middle. I hope the rest of the (currently remodeling) Emeryville Public Market rebounds, and rises to the level of Hot Italian!
(4)Vivian D.
I always wanted to try this place. Thin crust pizza was decent enough, but nothing really special. Their menu takes a while to decipher with all the symbols and codes to designate what category of food it is, so that was a bit annoying. It has a sleek modern clean feel inside.
(3)Robert B.
This place has disappointed me again - third time in a row. They claim to be vegan-friendly but they seem to always be out of vegan cheese. Always. They need to do a better job on this front. Not everyone can eat diary. I hope management reads this and fixes the problem.
(1)Erica B.
Delicious food, wonderful atmosphere, and top-notch service. We ordered the beignets, olives, and eggplant/goat cheese pizza. Currently in a food coma!
(5)Noah N.
I was surprised how good this place was. I was helped by 3 different members of the staff amd they were SUPER! They were very helpful with what to order, we got two pizzas, one with olives tomatoes and basil which was hecka good and a pizza with some cured beef slices which was different but I was glad I tried it. The experience was much more enjoyable than other restaurants I have gone to in the bay street Emeryville area and I will go back for the service!
(5)Nick M.
Great pizza, good drinks... Definitely order a scope of their gelato after dinner. Fun atmosphere in Emeryville right by the water.
(5)Cece G.
We love the gourmet pizza here! Love that the crust is super thin and Crunchy! The ambience is so casual and comfortable! The service is fast and they are all friendly!
(5)Maureen C.
My favorite kind of pizza is thin crust, and Hot Italian makes it really nicely. The decor is also really nice and cleancut, and there's a huge projection on the wall that often shows sports games. While there are some separate tables, there are also some long tables that you can share with other parties. The pizza combinations are things that I wouldn't have thought of on my own, but always sound delicious. Try the one with the potatoes; that one was definitely a pleasant surprise. Because it's thin crust, it might not be as filling but each pie is around $11-$15, so be prepared to pay around that much per person if you're with hungry people. I don't eat as much, and finishing half a pizza is usually not an incredible challenge. And leave room for dessert! Their gelato is delicious and comes in the cutest glasses!
(4)Matthew W.
THIS IS JUST ABOUT THE PIZZA (CALZONE) ON A FIRST VISIT I fully went into this place thinking the pizza would be on-par with something like Dominoes, despite the claim of fresh/organic/etc ingredients. While I cannot say this is the best pizza I have had, it is definitely very good. The only complaint I have about the calzone specifically is that the sauce was not really distributed throughout, and just mostly gathered around the crest, which bothered me, since I love pizza sauces. Aside from that, the staff was friendly, the place was clean, and they had a large selection. The pizza wasn't quit worth the price, but I wasn't necessarily disappointed. I will definitely return to try the gelato though.
(3)Alex M.
Hot Italian is a relatively new addition to the Emeryville Public Market, and it certainly outclasses most of the eateries you'll find in that area. It's a nice large space, perfect for big groups, and has a good amount of outdoor seating for the frequent sunny days. They also allow dogs if eating outside. The menu is meant to evoke an Italian pizzeria, with pizzas named after Italian celebrities (hence the name). There are dozens of pizzas to try, and having been there in large groups several times I've tried quite a few of them. These are thin crust style pizzas, six slices each - if you're hungry you can finish a whole one by yourself. The various combinations are quite delicious - my personal favorite is the prosciutto with a fried egg on top. Meals tend to be on the lighter side, which I like; I never leave feeling weighed down by too much food. They also serve calzones, various Italian beverages, and gelato for dessert. This probably the best (and most unique) pizza place in Emeryville.
(4)Ashika N.
My husband and I moved to Emeryville about two months ago and have already been here five times - dining in and takeout. Their service is great. The staff is super welcoming and always willing to give advice on what to order. We've tried different pizzas every time and I have to say the Bellucci is by far our favorite.
(5)Gregory E.
Visited unexpectedly, half an hour before their closure in a starving condition. Their pizza cured me of my condition, with an amazing taste. Service was top notch. Overall very positive experience and pizzas are highly recommended . Still can't forget the taste and can't stop thinking about the Pizza!
(5)V W.
I've been here twice and it was a nice experience but would I say it's one of my favorite joint... not really. I'm not really into pizza unless it's on a gluten free crust but the pizza here was still good. I basically came here because it was the most convenient location from my hotel. The first night I came here I had a sausage pizza, which was delicious and my hubby had the salmon pizza, which he thought was out of this world amazing. Then we split a 99 Piatto di salumi & formaggi, which we both thought was very tasty and unique and one of the healthiest things on the menu. On my second visit I had the Citterio "panini", which is NOT a real panini but a pizza that is folded in half, which I ended up stripping off most of the ingredients and putting it on just a small piece of dough because my system just can't handle all that wheat... my bad. To lighten my carb load I ordered the Canalis salad, which had a mixture of olives, tuna + cannellini beans w/o onions and that was tasty also. My first bill came to $54 which was a little steep for me and this last visit came to $20 tax included + small cash tip because I ordered out. In a nutshell I'd say this place is good but not really my cup of tea... or should I say pizza? Overall service is super fast, friendly and accurate and prices are alright. I do recommend it to anyone who is a pizza fanatic but I'm personally not diggin' it... nothing personal. Good job HI!!!
(3)Steve K.
I just came to terms with my obligation to share what I know vs hoard. They make phenomenal pizza. Day in. Day out. Reliably phenomenal. Not good just varying degrees of phenomenal. I do tend to ask for my pies done extra crispy. Which I recommend. But they take great ingredients and make a whole greater than it's parts. Also a generally happy and friendly place. It took me a while to believe this place was for real. . It seemed too slick. It is in a quasi mall. I kept expecting it to fail me. Finally figured out that it is just a great pizza place. Is it totally ready to be a successful franchise tomorrow? . Yes. Do they make awesome pizza with care as well as good espresso and clean tap beer? . Yes. So what's the hesitation? Eat while the eating is good.
(5)S K.
A decent pizza place I wouldn't mind coming back if in the area. Had the Jovanotti and was pleased by how fragrant the mushrooms were. I also liked how the flavors of each ingredient stood out with each bite. The pepperoni made the pizza a bit more oily than what I'm used to. I had orange pepperoni grease run down my fingers one too many times. But no biggy, will just hold off on the pepperoni on my next visit. Seems like it would be fun to stop by and enjoy some gelato before going in for a mani/pedi next door.
(3)Gail R.
After a long day of work I found this location on Yelp and gave it a try. Sat at the bar and had a great server / bartender. He was very through on how the pizza is made and what to expect. I got a killer salad w salami and garbanzo beans. Cant recall the name but it was super super good. Pizza was a veggie and super good as well. I really loved the chili oil to dip my crust in or drizzle over the pizza for a lil spice. All together I would go again and will now give the Sacramento location a try next time Im in town for work and I will go back to this one if Im in Emeryville again for work. I will say it was kinda $$$ but it is the Bay Area so I guess thats what you get.
(4)Tamlyn W.
We happened on Hot Italian by accident, hungry after a trip to ikea, the food was NOT an accident! I am so sorry there isn't one in San Diego! Best Pizza since Rome! The vodka lemon cocktail was outstanding, not too sweet! Service was impeccable! Did I say I wish there was one in San Diego? Darn!!
(5)Walid A.
I'm from Fresno, and as we passed by we saw this place. Figured Pizza... unique, let's go. I'm not rating the place bad, I enjoyed it, but I feel getting a Calzone and Diet Coke should not be $20+$5 tip for one. Maybe it's the area, but in Fresno $25 can literally get you 2 really good pizzas and there's no tip. Lot's of interesting choices, but none that were just traditional. Not even a build your own (unless I missed it, the menu struck me as loud with the black and white contrast). The names on the menu were difficult to pronounce and some ingredients were not what I wanted on a pizza, so making a choice was difficult. I'm sure all the pizzas are delicious, but you must also remember to cater to people from out of town. After all, IKEA is nearby and my guess is there are a lot of non-locals who visit who aren't used to this twist on pizza. Drop the price a few bucks, offer traditional ingredients with a lower price, maybe even offer 10" *more* personal sized pizzas for less money. I guarantee I'd come back. Good pizza, too expensive. Just a suggestion, but put a sign that says 'Please seat yourself and a waitress will help you'. I got confused on what to do when I came in - waitress also said that confusion happens a lot also.
(2)Victor G.
Hot Italian is next to the Emeryville Public Market and Peet's Coffee. decor: high ceiling, warehouse setting, varnished italian communal tables. front side faces parking lot, another side, lenghty bar, 3rd-pizza and food station, 4th -wall. music: easy listening of many genres flatscreen: socceer service: hot italian bartender als tom cruise with unobtrusive demeanor, urbane charm, doubling as waiter.. eats Briatore pizza (5 cheese, 15) -fontina, gorgonzola dolce , crescanza? ,,,,,,, chewy, thin crust, mpst times crust not noticeable fantastic mix of cheeses, best italian pizza eaten! mama mia, hot italia pizza! pour: proseco (peach, strawberry, 6) -dry, sparkling white wine slightly fruit flavored - -yummy, packed a buzz. crumbs: -not sure of other pizzas here, but briatore rocked! -italian breakfast served till 2:30 -midafternoon, slow period, service not a problem.
(5)Cindy L.
Expensive pizza consider its portion and and not much ingredient on it (cheese, meat or veggie). The pizza actually taste good but a little bit too chewy.
(3)Rose G.
I LOVE pizza and finally had a chance to try Hot Italian. I sat at the counter, ordered a drink, spoke to the bartender and had some decent pizza. It was fine, I liked the pizza well enough, my drink was pretty good, but the prices are way too high for the quality and size. I will definitely skip it for less expensive places with better pizza in the future.
(3)Cynthia L.
I'm so glad I finally made it here for lunch. Most entrees are thin crust pizzas but some can be ordered as paninis or calzones. I split a Magnini panini (smoked salmon, mozzarella, mascarpone cheese, dill). First of all, it was huge! Half a panini could have been a meal in itself for me on a regular day. It was delicious! The combination of salmon and mascarpone cheese is a huge winner in my book. Can't wait to go back for this exact sandwich. We also ordered the Murino (mozzarella, gorgonzola dolce cheese, seasonal pears, del rio farms honey) pizza at the recommendation of our server. It was quite tasty but VERY strong I wouldn't recommend it for newbies to cheese.
(5)Hannah H.
I'm still scratching my head over the name of this place. I don't recall seeing any Italians in here, much less a hot one. It's probably just a hip name to attract the WTF-name lovers. I mean, it has to be better than "Sexy Pizza". Or "Warm Calzone in the Oven". C'mon man, I didn't ask to be the name guru. Maybe "Hot Italian" refers to the delectable dozen-plus pizzas they offer, each kicking it with a different personality. There's the Fiori, the last one I had, and my first time, I ate the Magnini. Both are quite yummy; I suggest you hold off putting any of the two different olive oils they provide on your slice until the first bite. The olive oils are a nice touch: one infused with chili peppers, the other infused with something minty that I'm not sure of the identity. No cheap powdered Parmesan or chili flakes here. But just as equally impressive as the pizza menu is the beverage one. Class up your pie with something like a gazillion wines here. It ain't a winery, but you wouldn't care. There's even a small bar with a TV over it for football games and stuff, but without the obnoxious drunkards going "AWWWWW WHAT THE FFFUUUU" at the fumble. Oh yeah, dark chocolate gelato. It's as chill and seductive as... whatever hot Italian does show up at this place.
(4)N L.
This was without a doubt the best pizza we've ever had. Smoked salmon sliced thin on a creamy sauce with just a hint of dill. The crust was chewy and crispy and perfect. Okay just because we were the oldest people in there didn't make it any less a good experience. We had good service and great gelato , we definitely will go back
(5)Dhruba B.
It's a shame in the name of Italian hospitality. Italian joints are known for their hospitality. Last time went there for a cup of mocha. The server/bartender shouted the bill before I had my first sip.
(1)Virginia Margherita F.
Pizzas are authentic italian style! My husband didn't like their calzone too much, it was a little dry. But the ingredients are really good and authentic Italian. Gelato is also pretty good. The place is clean. This is my new favorite pizza place in town!
(5)Jocelyn B.
These two things go very well together. Hot; things of the steamy variety Italian; tangy spices, a taste for the finer things in life Bravo to the Emeryville local which took all the things I loved about visiting Hot Italian in Midtown, and made them better. IE: open and expansive dining space, the Italians ARE hotter....and the pizza is steamy, tangy, and creative.
(5)Renata V.
I had an awesome experience here last night! The food is great and so is the atmosphere. The perfect place to socialize, watch a game on a large screen, and to feist & toast with a group or just a date. Love the green spirit of delivery by bike! You guys rock! Cheers, Brian!
(5)Chante G.
Stopped by the public market to grab lunch. Yummmy srawberry bellini. We ordered the jovanotti, fresh ingredients, thin flaky crust. Im in love. Amazing olive oils, chili pepper amazballs and rosemary to die for. Great service. Not badly priced. Our sever Eric was great. Would definitely come back
(5)Amy J.
I love the play on words of this place. I mentioned Hot Italian and my friend said, "A hot Italian? Where?" Sadly, I was referring to the pizza place. I know they serve other things but they mainly specialize in pizza which is fine by me. They even have gelato here which is very reasonably priced. The vibe in here is pretty mellow and the long tables make it a great place to gather a group for a quick bite before going to the movies or something. With so many different pizzas to choose from, you can't really go wrong with any of the items on the menu. I like the bicycle theme here too. I will be back, oh yes, I will.
(5)Annie G.
We were in the area and found this pizza place. So glad we did! It is located in the emeryville public market not far from Bay Street. We were greeted by the friendly staff as soon as we walked in. It's communal dining which as a rule I don't care for, but the restaurant's ambiance feels airy and bright so I didn't feel I was dining with strangers. Our server was attentive and friendly, as were all the employees we interacted with. The pizza was delicious and came out quickly. Best thin crust I've had in a long time. My kids loved watching the pizza being made. We ordered gelato which was also very good. We will definitely go back next time we are in Emeryville.
(5)Eunice W.
Number of times visited: 8 Favorites: * Every single thin crust pizza they make! Thin crust that is crunchy on the outside and has a nice chew on the inside...don't know how they do it...I rarely eat the crust on pizza but this place I eat the WHOLE pizza. *Arugula Salad - Fresh! and anytime I ask them to put some on my pizza they do and it is great! *Anti Pasta - the meats are from Italy. Presentation is awesome! Surprise find: It may be seasonal but the pumpkin with mascarpone cheese was amazing! The fennel sausage is wonderfully flavorful and made on site! Staff: Friendly even on the busiest days! Atmosphere: Seems stark at first - all black and white...but once the food arrives (all on black pizza boards with handles) you understand why. The food is the star of this place. The colors on the pizzas and salads, the aromas of the food...you forget the stark interior. Reviewers Note: I have lived all over the country (NY, Boston, Seattle, LA) and traveled Asia and Europe and this is one of the best pizzas I have had. Must try if you are in the Oakland/Emeryville area.
(5)R C.
Since my last visit I found out I have celiacs this is the ONLY gluten free pizza that's UBER UBER GOODIE!!! Don't even bother anywhere else with their cardboard pizza this is the only one worth the money!!!! Perfect Hot Italian !!!!
(5)Katrina H.
As far as amazing local businesses go, there isn't too much to write home about in Emeryville. But Hot Italian is an exception. It's kind of sad how often I come here, but it is just SO convenient for my location and on nights where I'm feeling lazy and just want to order a damn pizza, Hot Italian is a godsend. What's great about their pizza is that I don't feel TOO guilty eating it. Their ingredients are so fresh and delicious and the crust is pretty thin. The pies are a bit pricey, but you really get what you pay for. If I wanted a super heavy, fatty, cheesy pizza, I would go for that Dominoes/Pizza Hut/whatever deal, but when I want good quality, light pizza, I go with Hot Italian. My ole reliables are the Fiori and the Murino. Oh, and they also have a really yummy gelato stand! Dessert anyone?? :)
(5)Linda T.
Dropped by for lunch and took advantage of their many tv's to watch the World Cup. Wow! What a fun experience! Great bar, delicious snacks, creative pizzas and fabulous service, thanks to Sarah, in a jam packed place. Super crowd- lots of energy, a real energized community. I imagine without the sports angle, this might be a fairly open space, but I think that it's "all inclusive" feel lends itself to watching just about any sport with a crowd of like minded folks. Happy and noisy, you won't be having much of a private conversation, but it's not that kind of place to start with. Worth a try!! Looking forward to returning soon...
(5)Marck N.
Really good pizza here. I had the Fiori, while my partner had the Bortolami. We shared the pear salad. The pear salad was tasty, but if I ordered it as my main meal, it was too small. The pizza's were good. The Bortolami was very smoky in flavor. Quite a difference from what you would expect from any pizza. The Fiori was more light and delicate and tasty. The arugula added a taste of bitterness to the savory prosciutto. It was an enjoyable lunch. Not to heavy and not sleep coma.
(4)Michael B.
Amzain crust. 2 days. Chewy crispy. Sit by kitchen and watch it made. My new favorite. Terrific service. Real pepperoni.
(5)Amy O.
The seating/ordering situation is a little strange. However, we had a great server, so no big deal! You go in, grab a menu, seat yourself (communal), then they serve you. I ordered the salad over flatbread that has spinach, bleu cheese, peaches...it was awesome. And they serve it with this olive oil you put on the bread. Loved! It just needed red onions. But, hey...I am an onion fanatic. The seating outside could use actual tables. I guess they don't want people lingering there without actually purchasing something...I get it. I think I'll be back. For sure.
(4)Alameda L.
Just finished eating my leftovers and boy, those were terrific! Sausage and ricotta, pancetta and arugula, and something delightfully pumpkiny - is there really much better than leftover pizza? This pizza is good. Worth trying, but I can think of several places in the near East Bay that I like better for various reasons. The Forge at Jack London, because their dining room and service is terrific. East End Pizza in Alameda, that just has some special pizza mojo (and an easily readable small menu). Hot Italian does pizza right, but it's just not my style when it comes to "Not eating on my lap in front of a television" style pizza. A few things that won't bring me back: Being pressured to buy way more food than necessary (it makes me so uncomfortable!), the impersonal feeling of the white plastic dining room, the extra long menu, the extra-room temperature red wine that was poured at very different heights in the glasses. Good food, Hot Italians, just not my cup of pizza experience tea.
(3)Kaylan W.
This is a review for their delivery service. I've been to the Hot Italian before for brunch with a fiend and my boyfriend. The food was amazing. So when I saw them on TryCaviar I got excited and ordered a pizza for me and my borfriend. I live in North Oakland, a very short drive to Emeryville. At most 5mins away. With that short a distance I expected the pizza to be to my home quickly. Sadly that was not the case. TryCaviar tracks the delivery to make sure it gets to its destination on time, so when I noticed the tracking time say 10 mins for more than 10mins I was confused and irritated. Where was my pizza? Why is it taking so long? It had been waiting an hour when I received a call from TryCaviar. The carrier a.k.a the delivery boy was taking his sweet time with the delivery and its obvious that he didn't know he was being tracked. I Immediately had them refund the money back to me including the gratuity.I got a call from TryCaviar support letting me know the carrier would deliver the food in 30mins. Sure enough the delivery boy Thomas(name provided by TryCaviar) brought the pizza along with an attitude. The tone in his voice and his posture said "I don't want to be here" and came off a bit rude. The disappointment doesn't stop there. I opened the pizza to find it lukewarm not hot and it tasted mediocre. It was also very small. It was so small that I could eat it by myself and still be hungry. I paid $17+dollars for that pizza. I was so disappointed that we went and grabbed sushi. I expected better from The Hot Italian. Whats the point in having a delivery service if you're not going to delivery it on time. This place is not meant to delivery. They should have a pick up only service. At least the food will be hot when you get it and probably get better customer service. Never ordering from here again. I'll stick to my usual pizza places.
(1)Joanna S.
Really good, super thin crust pizza, with a nice selection of different toppings. Also Calzones. Nice selection of tasty salads. The menu is a little confusing with various choices represented by graphics (use the legend at the top!). Prices are not cheap, but not outrageous. But the food quality is first rate. Atmosphere is casual,minimal, hip and a little noisy, with all tables for eight, used communally. Not the place for a romantic dinner or a serious business discussion. Server was knowledgeable, friendly and efficient. A good choice if you're going to the movies at Emery Bay Studio 10, right across the parking lot.
(4)Allan A.
Great pizza (thin and crunchy just like the pizza from italy ) and they have a good selection of salad on top of a pizza bread definitely i will come back to this place
(4)Bianca C.
Great place to go after a shopping trip in Emeryville :) My go-to food is the Fiori pizza and Sozzani salad. Good amount to share for 2-3 people. And go-to gelato? Don't have any! So many delicious flavours to choose from that's it's awesome and fun to change it up every time I go lol :)
(4)Tom H.
One of the best pizza in the area, bar none. If you want to look at exotic bikes and great pizza, this is the place. Oh, forgot about the Gelato. You can't talk about Hot Italian without talking about their Gelato. It's so good, you'd smack a grandma in the vagina. There I said it. It has to be said.
(5)Melissa C.
The pizza here is thin crust style pizzas with really nice combinations of toppings to choose from. This isn't your standard pizza joint with your regular pepperoni and cheese toppings. Come prepared to try pizza with prosciutto, arugala, fennel sausage, pears, etc...this pizza resembles the types of pizza we had when we went to Italy. They also have salads and cheese plates here that are good to share. The rosemary and chili infused olive oils they have on the tables taste great with the pizzas too. The atmosphere is open and casual. They always seem to have a soccer game playing on the projection screen. This joint seems to be a fan of bikes, too. They've got sweet bikes hanging on the wall, which I think is great because I'm a fan of cycling. Overall it's a great place to bring a group or a date on a Friday night and share some thin crust goodness topped with quality ingredients.
(4)Dianne Y.
I think the pizza would have been a whole lot better if it had gotten out to me right after it was done. was standing in line, and an employee asks if i'm getting pizza for here or to-go. I say For here. ordered my pizza at the counter like everyone else did. The man did not ask if I wanted my order for here or to-go. waited a really long time (more than 30mins), trying to chat away our ever-growing impatience. Finally flagged down a waiter and gave him our names. (We had hoped no one else with the same names claimed our food). The waiter brought out our orders in to-go boxes. The cheese on the pizza had already gotten into the hardening stage. :[ Why don't they just give out number tags so the waiters can more easily find who to give the food to than trying to figure out who is Eric, Emily, and Erin? And I would think if a customer doesn't mention "to-go" or "take-out", you should assume it's "for here". The gelato tasted very fresh. The panini is more like two halves of a pizza folded together. If it means anything to you about price range and classiness, you might like to know that there's a pinarello on the wall.
(3)Jessica P.
I am so glad this place exists. Cool Italian race bikes on the wall, long communal tables, good wine and most importantly, pizza! I've tried a few things on the menu and can say I love the briatori (smoked mozzrella, fontina, crescenza, gorgonzola dolce cheese), it's an intoxicating dalliance of dairy on your tongue. I also enjoyed the fiori with arugula and proscuitto. It's a very light, thin crust with fresh tasting ingredients that slap the roof of your mouth with an Italian fist. Whenever we're running errands or in the neighborhood when the belly rumbles, I'm gonna find me some Hot Italian and quell my animal urges long enough to get a table and devour my meal.
(5)Nancy T.
Mmm, this is a pretty good pizza place! Unfortunately, we went when they were closing, so we only got to try one thing, which was the truffle oil pizza with mushrooms and arugula :) Between me and my fiance, we scarfed the whole thing down, which was about 4 slices each! Now, don't judge us...because their crust is really thin and the pizza is quite tasty, so it's hard not to inhale the whole thing! We really wanted to try their dessert pizza with nutella, but our waiter closed down the kitchen before asking us if there was anything else we wanted :( So alas, we didn't get to. Boo! Minus 1 star for not the greatest or most attentive service, although I do admit that we came rather close to closing. This place reminds me of a lot of fancier, more modern pizzas I've tried in LA, but besides the hipster environment, modern vibe and cool decor...the pizza really isn't that great! The only thing that really makes this place more special is the fact that they have two bottles of oil on the table to go with your pizza - one that is infused with rosemary and the other that is infused with a spicy chili! What a cool concept!!
(4)Devante L.
I haven't had the pizza but they overcharge for drinks and they under pour their alcohol. I wanted a crown and coke but got mostly coke. I bartend so I know pours and mix taste. Plus customer service was terrible. The waiter was rude not only to me, but also to other customers except regulars. I really don't recommend this place for a fun atmosphere but I've never tried the pizza. They do have nice decor however.
(2)Karmina R.
I'm a big fan of this place, I've been here a few different times now. I love their pizza and drinks best, but their gelato is amazing as well. If you like Sangria definitely try theirs. At the moment they have an Apple Pie drink instead and it's soo good! You can dine in or get food to go, but I love eating here. It's always really clean and their service is great. Every employee has always recommended great food/drinks for me. I especially love their bartender, Billy. Will definitely keep coming back. Thanks Hot Italian!
(5)Nina L.
Stumbled upon this place after decades of following up on reviews and recommendations for "authentic New York" pizza in every county of the Bay Area. As a former Brooklynite, I was searching for a specific profile that matched my memories. This is the very closest it has ever come. I've had great wood fired California pizza all over the bay, but this is different. Oh and the service was really great for such a casual place.
(5)Jennifer Y.
Funny I had forgotten the name of this place until I read someone else's poor review and I thought, oh, I know of an Italian place I didn't like either. Sure enough it was the same one based on pictures and location. Really wanted to love this place the moment I walked in, I love open space, the greyscale concept. Anyone who knows me well knows I love Italian and pizza, not the Round Table kind, but the Delfino, Vega, Beretta, Gialina, flour+water kind. It's Black Friday and we get great parking by the front of the shop. I'm so excited because not only is this pizza place visually appealing, it's also near Emeryville (shopping!). O.k. so we walk in from the front entrance (there is a back that comes in from the food court) and don't see a lot of folks. Granted it's a major shopping day/holiday for some/lunch time on technically a weekday. We are not greeted by the servers. We guess we should take a seat so we make our way to the talking waiters and ask if we can take a seat. They nod and go back to talking. We are now sitting near the back area by the waiter/service area. We ask for menus after catching someone's eye&check yelp reviews deciding what to order. After a few minutes of silence (minutes is an approximation but if no one is in need of service, with multiple waiters free plus no water or waitstaff help and the customers have to pointedly ask for menus and service) we decided to grab some Pete's next door and get going doing some shopping! Wasted minutes on a waste of time. Pete's greeted us in the door, took our order, smiled, gave us a coupon and asked about our Thanksgiving. Too too bad we didn't get to eat any Italian. Sorry, but just at that level of service I'm not interested in coming back.
(1)Megan D.
Friendly staff, fresh ingredients, overall satisfied. Try have infused olive oils: one with rosemary and the other with a variety of peppers (this oil replaces chili flakes). Got the #7 as a calzone, delicious! May get it lite on the olives next time though, made it slightly too salty.
(4)Petra S.
Finally got to dine here tonight with the hubby. Our waiter recommended the #25 which is a prosciutto, mushroom, arugula with truffle oil pizza. It was excellent! The Perfect Italian style pizza with thin, crispy and chewy crust, not soggy at all. The flavors blended perfectly and it was just the right size for two hungry people. The decor is fun, there are Italian racing bikes on the wall, a tv and also a large projector with both playing soccer on tv. They also serve homemade gelato although, we didn't get to try it this time. But since we do live just across the street from Public Market, I'm sure we'll go back soon enough! Definitely, in my opinion one of the best places in the east bay for pizza besides Cheeseboard and Arizmhendi's!!
(5)Aaron C.
I fell in love with this place while living in Sacramento. Wife and I tried probably every pizza on the Winter menu. Ate there WAY too often. The Sac location is not the crowd I would normally enjoy being around, so we'd order out. Moved to oakland, was EXTREMELY happy to find out there was a location in Emeryville. We've been there more times than I can count in the past 6 months. It's pretty much our go-to place for pizza. Jim @ the bar is totally awesome! Can't recommend this place to people looking for light and fresh pizza made in a "traditional" fashion. Just wish this spot had a wood fired oven like the Midtown Sac location. Oh well!!
(5)Melinda Y.
Oh, how quickly the failed Pluto's was replaced with Hot Italian. Their menu was unique in which each item can be made into either a pizza, sandwich, or salad. Of course, I had to sample a pie...MATERAZZI pizza (pepperoni, olives, tomato sauce, mozzarella, fontina cheese). Looking at the beyond thin crust (ie floppy pizza), I was disappointed because it took over half a pie before my brain even registered that I was full. Other reviewers commented on the oiliness. Indeed, it was. It took 2 napkins to soak up as much as I could. The flavors were good but the there could've been more ingredients for $14. The waiter was nice enough to deliver our take-out outside as we soaked in the elusive sunlight. I noticed a dairy case of gelatos! How perfect for impending summer heat!
(2)Kota T.
So why the 1 Star amidst a sea of good reviews? Our salad was excellent, pizza was good, BUT our water bottle was growing mold on the inside and we only noticed after drinking the glass from the bottle the server poured. Nothing worse than an unsanitary restaurant - not to mention mold being dangerous. I don't care how good the food is if it ain't safe to eat. We mentioned this to our server and she gave a superficial apology - didn't really seem surprised or concerned. Boo, yuck and dangerous.
(2)d o.
Love the pizza here especially the fiori....If you are at EmeryBay or just going to Urban Outfitters, this is the place to stop and grab a bite or get some gelato.
(5)Shawn C.
When hunger struck, we randomly pulled in in the Market Place lot (after all, I really have no idea where to look for food in Emeryville). Glancing in the window, I was immediately drawn to the red Bianchi, a spitting image of my old racing Bianchi, hanging on the wall among other fine Italian racing bikes. Intrigued, I insisted we must head inside. We took seats at one of the long family-style tables and in minutes I had a pint of ice-cold Racer 5 plunked down in front of me. Ordered a Briatore calzone. Admired the handlebar clothes racks on the wall while waiting (yes I love all things bicycle). A soccer match played on the giant projection screen behind me. The smell of pizzas and calzones baking away in the huge steel oven in the exposed kitchen had me drooling. Then it arrived. Different looking and different tasting than your average calzone, but I mean different in a good way: all puffy, mangled, and full of delicious fondue-like cheeses with a smoked flavor. Holy Cipollini, that is one delicious calzone! Another Racer 5 please! I became an instant fan of Hot Italian that night. Next time I find myself in Emeryville, I know exactly where I'm heading when the hunger hits. (Can we get one in San Francisco please??) EDIT: why no Giro d'italia on the TVs?
(5)Nina B.
Hot Italian should move to Oakland, give the boot to Boot & Shoe. Wooo!
(5)JBbung b.
They have few outside seats so we went with our dog after a walk. Their pizza was delicious! Their think crust pizzas are cooked perfectly. And the spicy olive oil you get to dip your pizza is also delicious!!
(5)Sarina C.
Hot Italian always hits the spot on days when I don't feel like cooking and/or am craving pizza STAT. It boasts a super modern and hip vibe, and the service staff is always friendly and helpful. The seasonal menu (while a little pricey) always has great options; in general, the thin-crust pizzas are SUPER YUMMY. Love the beer and wine selection, too! Introverts, be warned: it's a very casual, open seating environment, so if you're uncomfortable with potentially sitting next to complete strangers during dinner, then maybe order for takeout. Big plus: the takeout service is super seamless and speedy, which is why my husband and I never hesitate to order one online for pick-up. In sum, great food, great service! Gelato is awesome too, and LOVE the dog-friendly patio so my furry best friend can come with. :) Visit this place when you're in Emeryville!
(4)Jannie Q.
We walked into this restaurant randomly after realising that the public market is under renovation. This place serves pizzas, salads, paninis and calzones. The pizzas are all handspun, thin crusted and baked in the professional oven. The panini is huge because they basically use the same pizza dough but fold the crust in half and make it into a sandwich. And then they charge you $14-16 for the panini. I don't Think that they should charge so much for a sandwich just for their convenience of using the same size pizza dough. Make the panini regular sandwich size and keep the price less than $10 would make more sense. The pizza we ordered (tomato and cheese) was "meh." Nothing special other than ingredients were fresh. Service was quite good but servers were attentive and refilled at our iced tea without us asking. Overall, it's a decent "backup" restaurant if you're in the neighbourhood already but I wouldn't go out of my way to come here.
(3)Mike K.
Pizza has excellent thin crusts. The employees were very friendly and the atmosphere was nice and modern. We recommend the Spinach salad and Pesto pizza. The food came quickly and it seemed like a popular place especially for big groups. Wasn't too overpriced either and had a simple, straightforward menu.
(4)Joanna M.
Went there for dinner tonight. Delicious pizzas and salads. Really liked our dinner and found a table outside on the patio. Not too much outdoor seating if u want to be served but once we snagged a table, service was great.
(4)Frank R.
Nice big area for casual dining. They offer many variations of pizza. A gluten free pizza is available for $4 more and it's smaller than the 13" personal size. I ordered the calzone which was HUGE! The filling, sausage, ricotta and mozzarella was pretty good nothing to write home about. There's just so much dough and the top of it collapsed. Calzones are supposed to keep that dome shape not fall on top of itself. I would go back because it's close, the service was decent and I'd like to try some other offerings on the menu.
(3)Joanna L.
Unique pizza combos, casual group friendly space, helpful servers. Yep, I'm a fan! Among three people, we shared a salad and two pizzas. All were delicious, and the flavors really compliment each other. * Canalis salad- The dressing really tied all the ingredients together (mixed greens, tuna, olives, red onions, cannellini beans, and pecorino romano cheese). * Basso pizza- One of the two pizzas that have pesto on it. I liked how it also had artichoke hearts and cherry tomatoes. * Fiori pizza- The truffle oil added a unique flavor. Love me some prosciutto, as well. Topped with arugula to add some freshness. Other notes- - You can order several menu items as a pizza, calzone, or salad. You got options, son. - They have chili-infused oil on the table. Drizzle on your pizza for an extra kick. - There are mostly long communal tables with a few smaller standing tables on the. side. Good place for groups and VERY kid-friendly. I will come back to taste the other pizzas. They have such unique combinations, and I kept eyeing what other people were getting. Gotta taste the rainbow, ya?
(4)Rob L.
We were staying at the Hyatt across the street and that night we were so tired and hungry that we just wanted to grab something really quick to eat. We walked across the street to check out Hot Italian and saw that the place looked cool, trendy and somewhat upscale. A quick search on Yelp yielded a few 4 or 5 star ratings from some of my trusted Yelp friends in the Bay Area. So we decided to give it a go and we are glad that we did. This is what they call a "pizza bar" which is probably one of the fancier pizza places out there, which actually looked more like a gastropub at first sight. There's no to-go counter and you place your order with the bartender. STELLA: Just like the name, the pizza was truly stellar! Made with a nice blend of Mozzarella and Crescenza (a very soft Italian cheese with a creamy texture), the pizza had a rich aroma and a distinct flavor. It was topped with prosciutto parma and mushrooms. The ham was delicious and it was not overly salty which we really liked. The crust was thin and not too filling, and it can be perfectly paired with a good beer. AQUILANI: An arugula salad tossed with squash, pumpkin seeds, walnuts and fresh pomegranate. October/November was the perfect season for pomegranate and the seeds were sweet and juicy. The dressing was delicious but on the lighter side (good!) and it did not overwhelm the freshness of the salad. Prices were on the higher end but this is not your typical pizza joint, and the quality was superb so it's worth every penny. This is truly the definition of a neighborhood gem. We'll definitely return for a dine-in experience the next time we visit the Oakland area.
(4)Rebecca P.
Great atmosphere, friendly, and fast service! I am visiting from out of town and my friend brought me here to share his favorite pizza and salad. I must say I am very pleased and impressed! I would recommend this place for dates, families, and quick meals!
(5)Amanda A.
First!!!! The olive oil infused wit chilli peppers is a must on the pizza!!!! I wish they sold bottles of this ! The pizza was great , really thin crust not doughy at all, great toppings , full on bar alway a plus They serve pizza, calzones and sandwiches
(5)Samantha P.
I love love personal pizzas, beer and gelato and this place has it all ! They have one of my favorite IPAs on tap which is Racer 5 :) Some menu items can be made as pies, calzones, salads, and sandwiches, but majority of them are pizza pies. Our server helped us decide which pizzas to order. Im sorry I cant remember what they were called but mine had pears, honey, and gorgonzola and I added prosciutto. This pizza has no sauce added and was very very delicious. The boyfriend's pizza was a meaty one with like 2 or 3 different meats on it, along with mushrooms and red sauce. The table has a bottle of oil infused with peppers that you can add on your pizza. The chili is pungent without being unbearably spicy. The 2 pizzas and 2 beers came out to $49 without tip and I still had half a pizza to take home. The server tried to sell us gelato too but we were just too full and he seemed kinda grumpy when we didnt want any :x Other than that he was really nice and helpful. Will be back to try different pizzas and more IPA ...and maybe a gelato next time :)
(4)Hajy A.
Great pizza and calzone in the bay area! If you are coming to watch some soccer, then this place has a great atmosphere, and a lot of fans are coming too)))
(5)Tiffany D.
What's not to like?! Hot Italian is quite attractive. They have thin crust pizzas with gourmet toppings, salads, cheese and charcuterie plates, alcohol and gelato. I dropped in with a girlfriend for a glass of wine, and we ended up devouring an entire pizza, and partaking in the chile oil goodness. The service is always friendly and casual. This place even is good for the kiddos. I highly recommend checking out this hottie!
(4)Carol L.
Not sure why everyone's so crazy about this place, for me it's a solid 3 STAR. Great location, great store decoration. Pizza taste was relatively plain, I was also not a big fan of their chili oil. Great place to grab a beer or bite after work, but just don't expect anything special from their food. Or did I expect too much from this place?
(3)Berrin Y.
Looking for dinner after 9:00 is crazy around here. This place claims to be open until 10:00 but just try getting served! Plenty of staff still here but no more dinner service. What a joke. They need to make it clear online that dinner service ends at 9:00 so people don't waste a trip. Getting refused at the door ain't that classy. We will never return no matter what time of day it is.
(1)Steven M.
BEST PANINI EVER. The worse part is, I didn't even order the panini. I was fortunate enough that my girlfriend was stuffed off the appetizers. Words can't explain how delicious the food is in this place. The bathroom concept of this place is sanitary and awesome. Service on the bit of slow side due to only one man attending to the whole place. A bit pricy, will come back though!
(4)Catie F.
This ain't no Domino's. Hot Italian is much closer to "the real thing" than most U.S. pizza places get. We are talking about high quality, thin-crust pizza using fresh ingredients in inspired combinations. I love the perfect crispy/chewy balance of the crust here, and ESPECIALLY the fact that you can dip your crust in the spicy chili oil (or rosemary oil if you're not a fan of the hotness). The menu is fairly small with just a few, traditional Italian starters (meats, cheeses, olives, etc.). We got a sampler plate and were pleased with the selection and the quality if offered: a variety of tasty meats, some cheeses, olives, hot peppers, arugula, marcona almonds and pears - served with toasted, rosemary pizza crust so you can kind of mix and match in many combinations. Likewise, you can order most menu items as a pizza, calzone, panini or salad (or a pizza-salad) - so basically, pick the toppings you want to eat, and the style in which you want to eat them, and you're good to go. Dessert is on the menu (think: chocolate-hazelnut or fig and ricotta calzones) - but I don't know how anyone could steer away from the amazing quality gelato station. YUM. Another pro: the service. The hosting, bussing, and serving staff were all very helpful and nice. The first time we came for takeout, and our pizza was missing the ricotta - so the manager made up for it by giving us a $20 gift card. A couple of things to work on: At times the restaurant does get busy and seems understaffed. Also, the menu variety is not too strong - I wouldn't recommend this if you don't want traditional italian pizza, or if you're looking for proteins other than the classic italian meats (no chicken or tofu here, though they do have one pizza with smoked salmon).
(4)Andrew C.
Emeryville Public Market is the second location for Hot Italian. Clean modern decor with a bicycle theme. You get a big bottle of chili infused oil with your silverware and napkins ( yelp.com/biz_photos/hot-… ) I went with a #10 Pantani (bresaola, arugula, mozzarella, shaved grana padano) in panini form which I'm regretting. It was $14 for pizza and $10 for panini. The panini is medium thickness ~10" baked pizza dough round for the bread that is folded over the fillings and sliced ( yelp.com/biz_photos/hot-… ). I had trouble seeing any meat in the sandwich ( yelp.com/biz_photos/hot-… ) so did some exploring. The motto for the panini should be "LIke our pizza, just half the fillings, but all the dough" as you can see 1 layer of the bresaola on one side of the dough (scattered like a pizza so not even a full layer) with the cheese, arugula, and tomato on top for a not good bread to filling ratio ( yelp.com/biz_photos/hot-… ). Eventually I just discarded the top layer of dough and ate the bottom like a pizza slice. I've heard good things about their pizza so may give that a try, if I'm in the area. The panini (at least the one I had) is a definite pass.
(2)Tim C.
Great, unique beer selection. Pizza was solid but not blow-your-socks-off. The chili-infused olive oil was a fantastic addition, though. Happened to visit while the Tour de France was in full swing, making the ambience perfect. Loved the space and a great staff.
(4)Mark T.
This place would have gotten 4 stars if not for the attitude of the main guy who runs the bar (I believe he might be the owner) and the high prices. We were there for the nba finals and wanted to stay through the game but the owner kept coming around to shove the check in our faces even though I told him I would get gelato in a bit. I finally gave in to his nagging and got the gelato, after which he wasted no time in bringing our check. Really dude? The restaurant wasn't even packed. We paid almost $100 for a meal that should have costed $60 at most and you were obnoxiously rude. The food was overall really good. We recommend the fiori and casalegno pizzas. We would not recommend the piatto di bresaola. It was underwhelming - the cheeses were nothing special and the meats were boring. The pizza crust bread that came with it though was good. The coffee gelato was delicious! Don't know if I'll be back even though the pizzas were great.
(3)Regina S.
Actually 3.5 stars. Wanted a place nearby so I could order to go and bring it back to my hotel room. Appreciated the industrial sleek design of this establishment but it certainly didn't cause one to want to linger as the bare bones decor and the coldness it imparted gave it a more "eat-n-go" kind of place. I sat at the bar and placed my order. Citterio pizza with mozzarella, prosciutto, spinach and parmigiano plus a salad with baby greens, pear, dried cranberries, Gorgonzola and pine nuts. Had a nice glass of wine while I waited. Let's just say the crust and quality ingredients were spot on. The problem I had is that the pie was undercooked. I know when cooking at such high degrees, oven time is minimal but you still have to use your eyes to gauge the doneness of the pizza. In minutes Neapolitan pies go from hot to cool. I was only steps away from the restaurant when I opened the box and prepared to dig in and the heat was completely gone. The good thing was the quality of the crust and other toppings still produced a very good pie albeit a cold one. The salad was good too. If I ate here again, I would eat in so I could enjoy one fresh out of the oven.
(4)Kristi B.
I think I've been here three times this week. The pizza here is so yummy and not too greasy. Their salads make you forget you're eating a salad.
(4)J G.
I ordered a few pizzas to go and I was underwhelmed. The pizza is extremely bland. There are too many good pizza places in the area for me to chose this one again.
(2)Sam A.
We came here for lunch and got "meh" service - the bartender was new, and the seasoned workers just seemed to be working around him rather than helping. The pizza was OK - not nearly as good as advertised. I likely wont be back. There was nothing about this place that stood out really - other than they sell a ton of Merch.
(3)Sebastian M.
One of the best outta the box pizzas i ever had try the #43 with mushrooms bomb.com . the servers are awesome and the atmosphere is popping good food great brews and a cool lay out! Did i mention how good their picante oil is?
(5)Jan B.
Ok, so I am pizza snob. I make a pretty good pizza myself and take pride in dough and best ingredients. I've also had pizza in many places, including a few excellent small pizzerias in Italy. View this as my way of saying I like good pizza, and have an idea of what it should taste like. Hot Italian delivered in terms of classic flavors and a pretty good base! I had a Jovanito and it was rather nice. Slightly darkened bottom, nice cheese and prosciutto. The closest to what I consider authentic I've had in a little while in a restaurant. Coupled with an authentic, unpretentious wine list and friendly, professional service makes it a good 3.5 stars for me. I am yet to taste the gelato...
(4)Alex H.
The Magnini pizza at Hot Italian is about as good as it gets. Its extra thin crust is topped with delicious sliced smoked salmon, mascarpone cheese and sprinkles of fresh dill. I am always on the fence about smoked salmon because it can overwhelm a dish but the thin slices paired with the other toppings take this pizza to the brink of perfection and the hot chile oil sends it over the edge. The pizzas are right around $20 and about the perfect size for two adults. I order my pizzas to go and it on average takes 10 minutes until its ready so if you are calling in for a pick up be aware so you don't end up with a cold pizza. Pick up for to go orders is at the bar on the far left, and there is one chile oil included in every pizza!
(5)Tinna H.
Came in for a late brunch. We settled on two pizzas between two. One just isn't quite enough for two people, but then two is where you both get to stuff yourselves silly. The service is outstanding. I like the thin crust of the pizza. There's plenty of parking. While I'm a little sad about all the different places in the Public Market closing down, there's one thing I am happy about ~ the addition of Hot Italian!
(4)Jeffrey L.
It's all about the Picante Oil here. I've been wanting to try this place ever since I drove by it coming from Ikea/Bay Street. and it's been a minute since I've been to the Farmer's Market. They have this monochromatic + minimalist + cycling theme to it. Simple and clean look. The pizzas are similar to Pizza Antica - thin crust pizza with bougie toppings (pancetta, prosciutto, arugula). The prices are a bit higher, but coming here for the oil is worth it. The waitress said they infuse the olive oil with 4 or 5 different peppers in house and they have no plans to sell it, but they really should. My wife and I didn't know it was spicy, but it was a nice surprise and it added a nice kick to the pizza. I practically poured it all one the slice. Not sure it was the healthiest thing to do, but it was worth it.
(4)K G.
We were hesitant to go in as we thought it was just like Pieology. However it is slight different. My husband and I ordered the "basso". It was thin crust and a good size if you are looking for a light lunch to share with someone. There weren't that many veggies on it. The olive oil mix with spice is quite flavorful and pairs really well with the pizza. The atmosphere is quite lively. Staff was friendly and walked us through the menu as it was our first time there.
(5)Danielle B.
Ordered some Hot Italian last night for our date night to accompany our first game of Pandemic. Delivered faster than expected through Try Caviar. Started with an app of prosciutto, mozzarella, and arugula. Yum! Got 2 pizzas that were bigger than expected, so we have a bunch of leftovers right now (bonus). We got the Belucci (sausage and dollops of ricotta) and the Tasso (cherry tomatoes, artichoke hearts, and calvestrano olives with a swirl of pesto). Both were delicious but probably would have been better in the restaurant fresh out of the oven. We were too hungry and lazy to take the extra step of heating the pies up in the oven. Overall a good option for delivery for those stay at home date nights.
(4)Gustavo A.
Been here about 5 times now. Always treated well and great service. Even at busiest times didn't have to wait for food or drinks very long. A lot of parking! The decor inside is nice and modern. Very chic. Stools and high tables cover most the place, which I prefer to sit at. Seating outside as well. Which is great during lunch because the restaurant is pointed towards the east. Food is great, as well as drinks, and coffee. Pizzas and salads are amazing. They don't have ranch but the have a spicy oil that goes amazing on your pie. Have tried most the menu. Next time will try the gelato. Have been in here just for coffee as well. They were playing a soccer game and didn't mind I came in and had coffee. Of course I tipped well because I recognized that but they didn't treat me as if I was taking up space and were still accommodating. There's not much bad at all you can really say about this place. If you like ranch on your pizza you might be a bit bothered but when you taste the pizza you'll forget it. My only wish is that when they do play sports on TV, is if they can turn up the volume.
(4)Matthew M.
I was finally able to stop by this place after checking out Guitar Center for the umteenth time this month. Awesome food, drinks and staff. The Pizza's could be shared or eaten as a personal pan depending on how hungry you are. Will be back soon!
(4)Whit H.
The pizza here was great, I love the picante sauce you can add to it. I would love it a bit more if the crust was a bit more crunchy(I'm free the east coast so that how thin crust should be for me). The only downside is that its expensive for the pizza size.
(4)Gail L.
I want to like this place more. It's not far and I can get it delivered. But the Casalegno pizza with potatoes and pancetta barely has any toppings on it. Each slice had maybe 3 small cubes of potato and maybe a small slice of pancetta. Now I don't like a pizza drowning in toppings but this ridiculous. Good flavors, but please make sure if I'm paying that much for a pizza that I get some toppings.
(3)Jacqueline S.
I liked the pizza here, the cheese appetizer is also really good. I really wished they had peppers instead of the oil even through it was good I just could of used more heat. Other than that I enjoyed the food the calazone are so good.
(4)Leonie S.
Hot Italian is a solid pizza establishment in Emeryville. The pizzas are simple and the price is right ($12 for a margarita pizza, not bad!). The infused hot oil that is available to be used as a dipping sauce is second to none... And probably the reason I keep coming back for more. This place is good for groups, it's kid friendly, and there is always a sporting event playing on the movie-theater style wall, and on the TV at the bar. Good stuff!
(3)Nina R.
I had a brunch pizza and pictured scrambled eggs on it but it was a thin layer of egg that blended in w the cheese. The middle of the pizza was super thin/soft and the crust was plain/thick so I rolled my slices up to get a good texture. My boyfriend got a calzone: the cheese wasn't fully melted and there were only ingredients on one side (thin top crust folded over). We had a coupon, not bad but not sure I'd run back. I got a decaf almond milk cappuccino: it hardly tasted of coffee and had only a thin layer of foam. Our server was so ready to end his shift he dropped the bill off without asking if we wanted dessert (full gelato bar). The place might be fun to watch a game on the bug wall, lots of good lighting and seating
(3)Bu I.
As I walked by public market in Emeryville I saw this black bodega style building , when I saw its signage Hot Italian and I misread the other word , instead of Pizza Bar, what registered to my mind was piano bar. But this kind of early for a piano bar to open, anyways I just go in. This is my first time here and I looked to the guy server at the end of the bar and he immediately assisted me and brought me the menu. As I browse the menu it's very self explanatory. And Eric my server asked me for bevi and he introduced me to ginger beer. This beverage soothes your throat and it's very refreshing, then I settled with Stella Pizza, in 13 inch thin artisan dough, prosciutto and mushrooms. It was perfect! And I end up my lunch with affogati the classic one, scoops of vanilla gelato poured over with espresso , now I have both sugar and caffiene! For a Hot Italian , once is not enough! After all no visa needed!
(5)John G.
Went in here for a panini, but instead got a pizza folded in half. It was good, but really? Apparently, the salads come on pizza too.
(3)Tyrion H.
I'm a little disappointed. The service was very poor. My father ordered a salad, and the waitress totally forgot about it until after we reminded her. At this point, a good waiter/waitress would apologize instead of saying, "Oh?" I probably will not return.
(2)Sarah P.
Stumbled upon this place late last night when trying to find somewhere to eat. What a great find! We ordered the Stella pizza with egg and Fiori pizza without tomato sauce -- both were mind-blowingly good!! Went back today and ordered the Ligabue pizza which was good but not as good as the others. Would totally recommend this place! I can't wait to go back and try other pizzas on the menu :)
(5)John S.
They Need to give the people what they want and if I don't want ricotta cheese then I should have the option of that and not forced to get a pizza I don't like... I don't understand a restaurant that has the smallest menu and it never changes .. Plz get some variety you have a great space now use it .. Think about getting a few entrees
(1)Christine L.
Love the atmosphere in this incredibly hip and spacious restaurant. Located right by Public Market, Hot Italian is an actual sit-down place, so it's a more conducive to less casual get-togethers. I've only gone on weekdays for lunch, and while it's never empty, it's never too crowded, either. There's a small bar located on the side, but it's pretty well-separated from the rest of the restaurant. It definitely gets noisy in here, though -- not the best choice for an intimate dinner date. This place has such unique pizzas! Of course, they also offer calzone, panini, and insalata (salad) options for many of the selections. I've been here a few times and yesterday just ordered the Gattuso (with pumpkin puree). It took a few seconds of getting used to the taste, but I ended up loving it. I got the pancetta added on, and since I'm a meat-lover, I thought it was worth the extra $2. My friend ordered the Stella with egg on top (yum!), which I'll probably be getting next time I eat here. Most of their pizzas are vegetarian, and all their pizzas have a very thin crust, which I love. **TIPS**: Try the "Picante" spicy oil if you like a kick to your pizza -- I think it's just olive oil with hot chiles soaked inside. Also, if you're here with friends, I advise getting the pizzas and then swapping slices so you get to try out other types! Random comment on the bathrooms: instead of one men's and one women's, they had 4 unisex bathrooms with a line of sinks outside. I thought this was way smarter, since I'm always sneaking into the men's bathroom anyway when the women's bathroom is occupied. Overall, a nice sit-down alternative to the typical food stations inside the Public Market. I come back for the atmosphere rather than the food, since the pizza is too pricey for me (typically around $15, but can cost more if you choose any add-ons).
(3)Svetlana K.
Oh my gosh! I think I just found my new favorite pizza place! The food was sooo good! I had fun sharing a pizza with my love. We ordered a couple of drinks. They have a full bar. The bartender/owner was a really nice older gentlemen. It was a interesting fellow to chat with and I felt like I learned something just listening to my boyfriend and him talk about sports. Afterward, I got a couple of scoops of gelato. Oh my goodness! It was so delicious. I think any flavor there would be equally amazing. I found out there's one in Sacramento as well, so I'm going to need to check it out as well. Great ambience, fantastic food, wonderful service. The only thing I didn't like was the bathrooms. There's four individual rooms for both sexes to use. Which is fine, but the sinks are all together in front of the bathrooms. I never like that kind of set up. No privacy for a girl to touch up her lipstick without feeling watched by someone from the opposite gender. I'll just have to start carrying a compact mirror. That's not enough to scare me away, just thought you should know the layout in case you come here on a date.
(5)Dan C.
I found myself in Emeryville around lunch time and was told that this shopping center had a lot of food options. As I was not interested in the food court options, I decided on Hot Italian Pizza. I liked the space - high ceilings, light and airy, with floor to ceiling windows and communal tables. The service was pleasant during my visit and the pizza came out quickly. I ordered their version of a margherita and drizzled some hot oil on it for a little kick. The pizza was very good, with the crust having a good mixture of chewy & crunchy. The prices were very reasonable as well. Usually, sitting down for a lunch meal in a restaurant is not convenient and is expensive, but I was in and out of here quickly and it didn't cost much, either.
(4)Arlene H.
Great pizza and drinks! Waiting for the zephyr train and staff awesome! We will be back if we are in town again!
(5)Yelena K.
We ordered two portions of salad and added salmon to each. When salads arrived, I thought one portion was split into 2 as there wasn't enough salad, not to mention each portion contained 2-3 pieces of salmon. I expressed my concern to a waiter. He immediately brought another portion of salad. There was no salmon on it. When he brought the bill, there was an $8 charge for salmon. I told the waiter that I don't feel like paying $8 more for the salmon as we basically had no salmon. The waiter took one salmon off while arguing that we had salmon regardless of the amount hence the charge. I will never order salads at this place again!
(1)Michael D.
Great gluten-free crust, amazing cheeses and ingredients, and excellent drinks (full bar)!
(5)LeTran B.
I like the pizza here. Thin crust. Delicious. They don't give you dried pepper for your pizzas. They have this "picante" oil to drizzle on top of your pizza if you want a little heat. In my opinion, the oil is not picante at all and I didn't want to put on too much because it would just make my pizza a soggy, oily mess.
(4)Seong P.
I've been here a couple of times, and enjoyed the various pizzas I've tried, but my favorite is the salad with tuna and white beans. The dressing was light but tasty, and there was the perfect amount of ingredients so I felt like I had a full meal. Nothing in it was fried or overly salty, so it was great. They have an excellent spicy oil, which I wish they sold, and their spicy bloody marys are excellent.
(4)Alberto E.
Came here twice and the first time for their gelato, had to wait more than 15 mins just to be entertained. The 2nd time, short wait to get seated, but after waiting over 15 mins for a server, decided to go to a different restaurant. I don't doubt that their food is good from the other reviews, but if their service is that bad, THEY'RE NO GOOD. P.S. I noticed how fast they cleared the table of the napkins and utensils as soon as my party left.
(1)Angie Y.
Really really enjoyed this place. We were in route to go hiking up in Marin and was looking for a casual place to eat with the kids. Was planning to just grab some food at the marketplace but then noticed they were remodeling...so much less options to pick from. We decided to take a chance and go here instead. We were immediately greeted with a smile and told to chose any table we wanted. The concept is great here. Some items can be made into a pizza, calzone or panini. We chose the sausage ricotta cheese one and the prosciutto, arugula mushroom option. Both pizzas came out in about 10 minutes. They were thin yet crispy but not burnt. We also ordered the spinach salad with goat cheese and strawberries. A great extra was the "picante" oil they have at the table. It went so well drizzled over the pizza. We even asked if it was for sale and they informed us it wasn't. :( Ordered some hot cocoa for the kids and a beer for the hubby. We all ended the meal with couple scoops of delicious gelato. They even let the kids sample over 5 different flavors without giving them any attitude. Service was great. Food was great. Decor was fun with the bikes, nice open atmosphere. We noticed lots of families dining here as well which I think is great. Love places that are kid friendly yet offers yummy food and an adult beverage. We will definitely be coming back!!
(5)Ben C.
This is my FAVORITE spot to enjoy thin crust pizza in the area. The vibe is fun, lots of communal dining spaces. Sometimes it gets cold inside for some odd reason, I always wear a sweater each time I visit. I like the concept of their menu, lots of choices to have as either a pizza or a calzone. The salads are pretty average. The pizzas are the stars of the menu. My favorite so far is the Fiori. The prosciutto comes out just right, and the mushrooms taste great. You have to eat it with the picante oil. Drizzle that all over your pizza to give it that great kick of spice! Also, get arugula on top of everything. Such a great combination of flavors! The service team can be a little inconsistent with their friendliness.
(4)Scruffy B.
Tried this place for the first time today and ordered a calzone. The waiter asked me if this was my first time and I said yes. My order ended up switched with someone else's so that was a poor start. I understand mistakes happen, but when the waiter told the manager about it he never came to apologize or say anything. He was very busy giving a young white couple a 5 star treatment and chatting with them throughout their meal. The calzone was OK, but not worth the $18 to me. Another thing, while I was there I noticed a group of people come in and they waited so long for service they eventually left. My first experience at this place was poor and I have no interest in coming back.
(1)Ernesto C.
Addictive. Current favorite is Pear Gorgonzola The subtle twists on the Pizza concept really make Hot Italian stand out from other places. The salads are awesome and the gluten free is good enough you can enjoy it just when you want to give your tummy and migraines a break. I wish I didn't end up spending $35 for two people! I guess it does compete with sushi for yumminess though... This is the place I imagine when I am eating "normal" pizza.
(5)Claudine V.
Came here to meet an old friend for lunch that just worked around the corner to me. It was both our first time here. We split a pizza , prosciutto with arugula pizza. It was pretty good but not much flavor to it. Pizza was very thin which I liked. Their menu here is very limited as it only served pizza and a few appetizers, calzone and antipasta. I will probably come back here and try other things.
(3)Zenia T.
I came here for a group luncheon and I had a fantastic time here! The Fiori has definitely made a fan out of me. I did expect a heavier taste and flavor to the pizzas, this is my own personal preference but it was still really good. The servers were also attentive, and quite efficient. Also, I must give a special thanks to the manager, Eric, as he was extremely flexible and accommodating as there were many details I had to keep changing with the luncheon. So if you want great food and phenomenal service, this is the place to go.
(4)Erin J.
Loved it. Have it for delivery twice now. Great, solid pie. The proscuitto was a bit salty but overall really good. I have tried both the Fiori and the Stella. Honestly, probably one of the best pizzas I've had in a long while.
(5)Christian M.
This is what food should taste like. I had a moment of bliss- you know, where you close your eyes mid-bite and think, " oh my god, this is so good!" And possibly do a little happy dance while simultaneously stuffing your face. We had the #19 pizza and the piccolo antipasto plate to start. First things first, good pizza starts from great bread. This place has it, and then rocks it with topping so flavorful it will make you cry with tears of joy. Bonus points for serving the antipasto plate with Marconi almonds/ serving my favorite beer. (Racer 5) Plating is beautiful. Service is focused but friendly. So go, seat yourself have a beer and tell that squalling tummy gremlin that everything's going to be just fine.
(5)Tony C.
Decided to come here as it was the first day of Lent (pizza) and they are located across the street from the hotel I was staying. I'll now be coming here regardless of where I was staying. The panini I ordered was fantastic as was the gelato. The service was friendly taking me through the menu and tentative. Highly recommend stopping in when you're in The area.
(4)Joe F.
I am an East Coast transplant and so I love a thin crust pizza. I would not say it brings me back to NY (I don't even know if that's what Hot Italian is trying to do); but this is very good pizza with good ingredients and it's part of our "ordering out" rotation since we live in the area. If I had to recommend - I'd suggest the plain (sauce, cheese, basil) with pepperoni and they have one with potatoes and smokey cheese that I think is well crafted in terms of flavors but they pretty much all are, so it pays to be adventurous. Please get some gelato while you're there. If I recall correctly, some of the flavors have Naia stickers on them (an excellent maker of gelato) but they have a few that do not denote the supplier. The pistachio for example is the best I have ever had and that's my go-to flavor. The Naia version I've had is good but no as good as the one at Hot Italian. The staff is also easy to deal with and the ambience is interesting, place is clean. If you have not been - go.
(4)Larry H.
This was my first time here but it definitely won't be the last. The pizza was exceptional! The artisan pizza dough was the perfect medium for the bold and flavorful toppings. Our waiter was friendly and very knowledgeable about the unique components of each pizza. All around it was enjoyable experience. I will be returning soon!
(5)Casey S.
In the Bay Area, there seems to be two types of pizza joints: - The uber trendy ones with $20 beauties (hello Pizzaiolo) - Greasy hole-in-the-walls that will give you a 40 and a 32" "King Kong" (hello Pizza Express) So what's a guy like me who likes something between these spectrums supposed to go? Go to Hot Italian, obviously. The bar seating, hanging bikes, and cappuccino/gelato screams uber trendy, while the piled-on toppings and large "personal" pies scream guilty pleasure smorgasbord. Put simply, this is a place where you can take a date without feeling guilty or pretentious.
(4)Brandina D.
They nail everything they do here from their pizzas to their cocktails to the ice cream to their customer service. I've been here many times and the quality just holds up beautifully. I am never disappointed. The spicy olive oil is not to be missed. Come hungry though bc they don't serve pizza by the slice :)
(5)Candice J.
A good friend of my fiancé and I invited us to go out to dinner and took us here. I wish I could remember the names of what we had but our friend ordered everything for us. I most definitely remember how good it was though. We shared and pigged out! 'Twas a good meal. I'll be returning.
(4)Sunny P.
I live right next to Hot Italian so why not check it out?? Pizza (Jovanotti) was delicious but it was a bit spicy(think pepperoni was). I am very excited to try out other pizza and gelato!
(4)Matt C.
The pizza tastes good, but the toppings are very sparse and unevenly distributed among slices. Kind of sucks for how expensive it is.
(2)Teresa R.
compared to other pizza places in the neighborhood, hot Italian is just mediocre. pros would include ample seating, draft beers, thin crust pizzas. cons: decor, quality and price of pizzas.
(2)Edi B.
We almost walked out upon entering. It feels like an IKEA cafeteria. But we decided to stay because it smelled great. We reviewed the menu and almost left. It seemed expensive and like it was trying too hard especially for the sparse cafeteria environment. But then we saw food leaving the kitchen counter and we were impressed. We ordered 2 pizzas and sangria. The sangria was light and fruity. The pizza was thin and wonderful! There are some very interesting pizzas on the menu. We played it safe with the basil, tomato a cheese and a pizzza with pepperoni, prosciutto, mushrooms and rabiola cheese...both were very satisfying. They serve brunch, gelato, coffee, antipasta, and cocktails.
(4)Omar Y.
Glorious gluten-free pizza! One of the best I've had, and the closest to the authentic Itlaian experience. Normally when I eat a pizza I will leave off the crust to save room. But in this case I had to eat the whole thing; it was that enjoyable to the last bite. The crust was perfectly toasted without being too burnt--crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside. With gluten-free I didn't know this was even possible! I ordered the #19 Basso. It had pesto, artichokes, pesto and olives to create a symphony of flavors that danced on my tongue. The sauce had the perfect amount of salt, but I added some at the end for some extra kick. And the Soave wine was sweet and dry to make the flavors sing even more. They have a tasty cocktail menu with quality ingredients I want to explore and unique seasonal offerings like pear and gorgonzola. And of course there was Pellegrino galore. I will be back for more! One of Emeryville's best kept secrets--open late too. Perfect for a date night or after a movie. Oh and did I mention? GELATO! Authentic Italian gelato. I had the Toblerone flavor to wrap up my meal. Simply amazing. I haven't been this spoiled since I visited an Italian-themed bar in Tampa back in 2007. Also: Wi-Fi! What else do you need? Heck, I think I could live here! Do not expect to get out of here cheap if you enjoy all these things. But as they say: you get what you pay for!
(5)Rita L.
What a cool place to eat, but unfortunately the food was just meh. We ordered the materazzi because the bf was craving pepperoni, and a belinelli ensalata. The food took some time to come out, but not too bad considering it was a friday evening. The pizza had so few ingredients on it, and what pepperoni and olives did make it onto the pizza, they sure didn't sprinkle them on evenly! I guess it added to the rustic style of it, but it was really expensive for not much. And to make things worse, the pizza was super salty, though I think it was because of the ingredients, which could not be helped. The salad was okay, though again really overpriced for a mound of romaine and sliced red onions and a few garbanzo beans. There was supposedly salami in it? I think I ate a sliver of a piece...Overall, I think it's a cool pizza joint and the staff is really nice, but the food could've been a lot better for the price.
(3)Alex L.
Seating is a great set-up for families and groups and the space is cool with a large projected screen for whatever game is on at the time. Pizzas were a good size and would work for two people, although I was able to eat 3/4 of one by myself. Little pricey but certainly good.
(4)Amy H.
I'm in love with Stella. These Hot Italian pizzas are DELIZIOSO! Perfectly done thin crust with a nice crunch to it. Plenty of gooey cheeses, mushrooms & prosciutto. MMm. And yes, pass me that chili oil for a spicy kick.. First time here dining here. One of our friend wanted to eat here for dinner last night. My husband & I were thinking, 'pizza for dinner?' Doesn't sound interesting but Ok. As it turned out, we actually like this place. Our friend owns a Ducati and this was a meetup place for the bike club. Lots of cool bikes and nice men in leather to look at ;) We started off with the Stella pizza and our friend ordered the Borriello pizza. Love the Stella. We finished it before we can take a picture of it. As for the Borriello, it was good but I must say, there was a lot of tomato sauce. Made the crust soggy. The sauce & mozarella was dripping off the pizza slice. Took a fork and scooped it up. However, we still like it. I can definitely taste the fresh quality ingredients. Love the cheese's too. The restaurant has an artsy, urban, modern, hip, unique look to it. Huge space with floor to ceiling windows. High lofty ceilings. TV sport projected on the wall, as well as bicycles. The only downside is that the tables are cafeteria style with long tables. You shared tables with other people. I don't mind. I'm more used to having your own table for a more intimate lunch or dinner with your own group. As for prices, we're used to the prices being around 15 bucks per pizza. Every other italian pizza joint (Forge in JLS is one of them) are around these prices. No small, medium or large. Just one size. I think these are around 12 inch pizza's. Service was great. Friendly people. Will definitely be back. Can't wait to try the Belluci & others and the Gelatos.
(4)Ashley M.
We are regulars at this place! Staff is super friendly & don't get me started on the food. I recommend the pantani pizza... And huge fan of all of their pizzas! Also the chili oil (spicy) is a perfect blend of spicy and flavorable...
(5)Peter B.
I've been here a few times with co-workers. The service is good, but the food is just ok. The food choices are both limited and non-traditional. If you like standard Italian food, this is not a place for you. The calzones and paninis are just folded pizzas.
(3)Dave M.
Pretty damn good. We had the pear and gorgonzola pizza with a salad. All were pretty much done perfectly. The bartender was a cool dude. The chili oil is pretty flavorful but lacks heat (purposefully). Only gripe is they don't have chili flakes. I asked for them and I was told the pizza is better without. It would be cool if I could decide for myself what I like. I know me. I know what I like. When I return it looks like I'm bringing my own chili flakes. Problem solved.
(5)Susan M.
Ordered the Bellucci and Fiori pizzas and a salad which I can't remember the name of. The salad was amazing, it has these delicious green olives, red onions, spring mix and lots of other veggies. Sauce was super good. The Bellucci pizza was very good. The chunks of ricotta weren't as overwhelming as other places where I've had it. The fennel sausage was delicious. This pizza definitely tasted super amazing when it was hot. As it got colder, it didn't my taste as good. The Fiori was interesting, I really liked the arugula and mushrooms. The prosciutto was a bit too salty for me. I don't think I'm a big fan of prosciutto though so don't take my comments on it too strongly. Overall the pizza was very good though. I would definitely say that the Bellucci was my favorite out of the two. The prices of the pizzas were a bit steep. Atmosphere was nice, it's very open and decorated with bikes hanging in the walls. Service was awesome!
(4)Cyn T.
I ordered the Belluci which has sausage, ricotta and mozzarella cheeses. I asked them to add basil. It was shredded basil not whole leaf. I prefer the whole leaf. The crust was thin. The taste was very good. A little pricey for the serving, bit I am glad it was good. I think I'll try it again.
(4)Kay G.
My sister calls this the "hipster" pizza place. I call it the "Lululemon mom" pizza place or "babies in gigantic wheel strollers" pizza place. Did we go to the same pizza place? The Fiori pizza, spinach and arugula salads are my favorites. They have outdoor seating so I sometimes take my dog here during lunch. They have gelato from their gelateria area towards the left which can also be accessed from their side door. Overall, I'd say it is pretty good. My husband and I come here sometimes because it is so conveniently located to where we live. If it were farther from us we might not eat here that often.
(4)Aj F.
Some of the best Gluten free pizza in the bay...only 4 stars becuase it's a little pricey
(4)Artur M.
Definitely the best pizza place in Bay Area! My favorite choice is Magnini pizza with smoked salmon.
(5)Andrew E.
Cheaper ingredients. Cheaper Pizza. Hot Italian. Got the CANNAVARO and WAYFARER. The pizza attempts to be that traditional Italian/Neapolitan super thin-crust pizza. First off, the dough is clearly cheap, dry, and nearly cracker-ish. The mozzarella was forgettable and so was the sauce. It's basically a Dominos pizza with half the crust and ingredients. And the cocktail was overly sweet and weak in booze. Serves me right for going to a place called "Hot Italian" that's connected to a mall and draws on pizza. However, the staff was great and did their jobs well, considering the situation.
(2)Carly L.
I came in for the first time today (I'm from out of town) and got carry out at the bar. Everyone was extremely friendly and helped me pick out a great pizza. I got a delicious drink while I waited for my food, which really took no time at all. I also got the gelato---which I highly recommend.
(5)Russell R.
Can't get served. Service is so disorganized. Maybe the wait people have never worked before or there is no management. Multiple servers going to some tables while other tables ignored. Trying to get someone's attention and staff diffident. Seems some staff just trying to be cool while others so poorly trained or lacking intellect as to be a bad sitcom episode. Lots of wasted motion with no production. Even tried to order at bar but bar staff over whelmed by one customer. Can't get served. Leaving after 45 minutes. Our money spends well in other places and this place should shut down. Food can't be that good and place ain't that busy. Pretense. Posture. Posing. Pathetic Later.
(1)Mafia M.
The Bellucci was one of the best pizzas I have ever had. The mix between the hot pizza and cool ricotta cheese was wonderful. Place is one of the only joints I've been to with Birra Moretti on tap. I wish they had both styles though. Was going to pick up a t-shirt but they were out of Mediums. Thought that was weird.
(5)Gagan K.
Came here for "Sunday Funday" for mimosas and pizza about 3 weeks ago. I have family that drives all the way up here from Fresno just to have Hot Italian, so naturally since they were visiting we had to come here! We ordered 1 salad: IZZO (seasonal fruit I believe was pear? at the time) and 2 different pizzas: JOVANOTTI and BORRIELLO. Plenty for 4 people (2 guys/ 2 girls) Food has a very fresh/ organic feel to it, rarely do I feel healthy eating pizza but at Hot Italian this is def the case. As for mimosas we tried three different ones: original, peach Bellini, and blood orange. AMAAAAZING! Love this local treasure. They also have a great patio to eat outdoors when the weather is nice.
(4)Heather P.
Awesome Pizza! love the atmosphere!The staff was super friendly. My husband and I ate here on a Thursday night and sat at the bar. Everything on the menu is named after "hot Italians" such as actors and sports players that are Italian. You must use the picante chili infused oil on your pizza! It's great flavor and the perfect amount of heat! We also got the appetizer of olives, which are imported from Italy. I ordered a pizza and ended up taking 1/2 home, which makes for a great Friday lunch! Defiantly would come back!
(5)Bella B.
Came here for the start of my best friends birthday. loved the menu and wine list. They offer a great salumi platter and great pizza options. I ordered the pesto pizza, it was sooo good. Thin crust, 8 pieces per pizza and about $13 each. Spinach salad, Izzo, was fresh and well presented. The gelato was just ok. Good house red wine. It's an interesting atmosphere. The hip warehouse look. All black and white and exposed duct work. A bit too loud with all the hard surfaces. Kid friendly, big screen tv with soccer game, etc. Loved the Heath plates and great glasses. Good quality serveware! This place is worth a visit.
(4)Y W.
Service was excellent. Our server was very attentive. The ambiance was great, cute and casual. A family friendly place with a slightly trendy vibe. The food itself was not impressive. I ordered the meat and cheese plate for the appetizer. Didn't love it. The best part of the dish was the flat focaccia bread that came with it. The chili infused oil with the bread is quite good. Shared one of their pizzas for the entree. It was decent, but again, not impressed. The crust was soggy, the tomato sauce and cheese greasy and not particularly flavorful. Had gelato for dessert. That was quite good. The beers on tap were also decent. I would return once more, perhaps try a different pizza. Their bread and dessert make it worth trying again.
(3)Oliver L.
Delicious thin-crust pizzas and fresh ingredients, along with a varied menu mean that you can't really go wrong here. I tried the Fiori (prosciutto, arugula, mushrooms, truffle oil) while my friend opted for the Magnini (mascarpone, dill, smoked salmon) and both were very tasty. I really like the spacious and modern interior. It seemed like a lot of the tables were quite large and more suited for big groups, but fortunately the restaurant wasn't too busy when we went so we didn't have to awkwardly share a table with other small parties. Although there isn't anyone to seat you, all the staff were friendly and attentive, coming around to refill our waters and check up on us periodically. Overall, it's a nice place to eat a casual lunch or dinner, and definitely a step up from the stalls inside the Public Market next door, or the chain restaurants in Bay Street.
(4)Melissa C.
Pizza was super delicious and tasted fresh and healthy! Thin crust with amazing cheese and toppings. Service excellent and the gelato was so tasty and a great final touch to the meal.
(5)Lara W.
I have to bump up my review to 5 stars, having been to Hot Italian so many times now and truly falling in love with it. Yes, I've sent friends here who felt like it was too roomy (they assume that all things Italian are cozy...) but you can't please everybody when it comes to decor. I kind of like the humungous fan and the exposed air vents/ducts things. One thing is certain: you can't beat the flavors coming out of that kitchen. Pizzas are the perfect size for one person so if you have a decent appetite, don't worry that you won't finish. Then again, no snootiness if you wish to take anything home. The Fiori pizza is so damn good with ricotta instead of the prosciutto. The Gazzetta - which should be pronounced "Ga-TSEH-tah" (just like pizza is pronounced "PI-tsah" not "PEE-zah") but apparently that's not the American way - is a must. Even if you're not regularly into cocktails, get it. I never get the dessert pizza anymore, the Zucherro I think its called, because I'm too tempted by the gelato, which is a perfect ending to a pizza. HOWEVER - if you're with a posse, DO get the dessert pizza because it rocks. This is really one of my favorite places to eat. The prices are so fair and the food is so good.
(5)Adam C.
What an extremely disappointing encounter with Hot Italian. I phoned them to request some assistance with ordering some gluten free pizza for 6 teens. The person on the phone was definitely friendly and said that a single pizza had 6 slices. I figured I should order one more pizza to make sure there was enough to eat. I was told that my order would be $36. My experience with the quality of the pizza has been great given that my company has ordered pizza from here a couple of times in the past. When I come to pick up my two pizzas, the bill is over $46. Apparently, it's almost $5 for each pizza to be gluten free. The waiter told me that they forgot to tell me this on the phone. WHOA! Nearly $50 for two pizzas. When we finally open the box at home, each pizza is so small and thin! Each pizza is basically a meal for one person. Broke my wallet and definitely did not have enough to feed the kids. I think the appropriate thing to do in a situation like this would have been to charge the customer at the stated total (over the phone). And granted that this is a pizza bar, the cost per pizza and size definitely isn't youth/family friendly.
(1)Vedran V.
Let me first say I might be biased here since I am a huuuge fan of authentic Italian Neapolitan pizza. Hot Italian does Neapolitan pizza as closely as what you would get at better pizzerias in Italy. This is the second location (first being in Sacramento) they opened, and being in the area and craving some good thin-crustiness from brick oven, we decided to drop by the Emeryville Public Market where Hot Italian is located. First thing I noticed is that the ambiance is very similar to Sac location with pretty large open dining room with white as the dominant color. The restaurant looks very clean and modern, but stays low-key and does not have that fancy, exclusive feel to it. There are beautiful Italian road bikes hanging from the wall, probably for sale since I have seen the price tags on them. How about a new road bike with that pizza, eh? You can sit wherever there is open table and despite the place being fairly busy on Sunday evening we did not have problems securing a table. As for the menu it is very simple with pizzas and calzones named after some of the Italian icons (soccer players, actors, singers...) but you can just order by the number on the menu if you haven't brushed up on your Italian. They also offer panini and salads. Wife and me ordered a Sozzani salad to share and one Materazzi pizza and one Canavarro calzone. Though they brought a different calzone-Belucci-I did not mind returning it as it was delish as well. Salad was Ok but nothing to write home about. Pizzas are the star here and this is why I have to admin I am a big fan of Hot Italian. They have some limited beer on tap, wine, gelato, and some Dolci though we have not tried any desserts. Our server was attentive but not obtrusive and gets 5 stars despite getting the wrong calzone. For the Neapolitan pizza Hot Italian is among the best in the area and if I am in the East Bay will make sure to visit again. See you soon Hot Italian.
(5)Mac R.
Their salad was far better than their pizza or calzone. My pizza was missing some tomato sauce and cheese flavor, their dough isn't terrible tasting but I felt like I was eating bread. Pieology has them beat for pizza. 5 stars for salad 0 stars for pizza 0 stars for the guy clearing our table grabbing my glass of water by the rim to move it.
(2)Loren S.
This review is long over due! My boyfriend and I usually go on the weekends during brunch hours to have the delicious sausage and egg pizza (the mushroom and egg one is my favorite) and a glass (or more) of drinks. I wish reviews came with samplers, because their 'breakfast' pizzas are just YUM. We don't skimp on the chile infused oil (we asked and apparently they are trying to figure out whether they want to sell these beauts. I'm praying they do!). We DRENCH our slices. Overall, we always have a great time here. We came for the World Cup final, and although I was rooting for Germany (thanks boyfriend for the support...) in a sea of Argentinian fans, the food made it all worth it. Plus my team won! :P Before I end my review, I gotta mention two things: GELATO and ITALIAN MEN. For the latter, I mean male Italian soccer players for which the pizza's are named after. Boriello, Cannavaro, and Gattuso. Say what! I love it! And the Gelato, it's just so good there. So so good. I don't care if it comes in a big bucket. It's just so good. So creamy, so...I won't say Italian, but it's damn near being perfect for me. Have two scoops of gelato there and then go to another place and you'll taste the difference. Okay, Ici and other places may trump, BUT, you get my jist. JUST HAVE GELATO AFTER PIZZA. DO IT. You'll feel like a fat fool, but you'll be a happy fat fool.
(5)Elaine H.
Always saw this spot in Sacramento, but didn't get a chance to try this location until recently. Casual spot, busy, self seating. Trendy and modern decor, friendly service. Ordered the piatto di salumi appetizer which had pizza bread, different types of meat, cheeses, and olives. Pretty good. The pizzas were definitely more of the new type, fancy types. You will not find your meaty pizzas or anything average. You'll get the special cheeses, prosciutto, and special house made sausages. We ordered the Bellucci with proscuitto (would have added pepperoni if they hadn't ran out). Pizza was a little on the moist side which I normally don't like, but tasted good.They had gelato which I opted out of after eating pretty much an entire pizza. Overall, it was good to finally try this place. Not dying to come back, but wouldn't mind if I was in the area.
(4)russell r.
Can't get served. Service is so disorganized. Maybe the wait people have never worked before or there is no management. Multiple servers going to some tables while other tables ignored. Trying to get someone's attention and staff diffident. Seems some staff just trying to be cool while others so poorly trained or lacking intellect as to be a bad sitcom episode. Lots of wasted motion with no production. Even tried to order at bar but bar staff over whelmed by one customer. Can't get served. Leaving after 45 minutes. Our money spends well in other places and this place should shut down. Food can't be that good and place ain't that busy. Pretense. Posture. Posing. Pathetic Later.
(1)kathlyn v.
Best pizza in North Cal. I lived in Rome and traveled all over Italy and could testify that this place has very good pizza. Service is epic. Fun and clean atmosphere. Kids friendly. Highly recommended.
(5)Priscilla G.
This is the only place I look forward to eating when I am in Emeryville on business. My co-worker and I died, went to heaven, and came back after having the arugula salad and pear gorgonzola honey pizza. And our server also appeared to be a hot Italian, with long, modelesque hair. They have a seasonal menu, Summer and Winter (I believe), so if you are there only 4 times a year, the menu may have changed. The second time we went, we got the basil pesto pizza. Also delicious. I even like the water from this place. Looking forward to going back in January after some Square One Yoga.
(5)Stew A.
wow! seriously. great pizza. i had the Bartolami. staff is amazing, and personable too. dude behind the bar rocks. thats great when new to a place. what a treat.
(4)Janaia R.
A perfect lunch spot in Emeryville or a nice place if you want to eat good food while watching a game! PROS: -GOOD QUALITY. You can tell they use fresh, good quality ingredients here. -Decently priced for the quality you get. -Large menu selection, it was hard to choose what we wanted! -Nice decor and ambiance. Very modern and very clean too. Also a good place to come watch a sports game with the tv's/projectors. -Great lunch/brunch spot or casual dinner-and-watch-a-game type of place. -LOTS of seating, you don't have to worry about overcrowding or waiting in line here. CONS: -If you're looking for really large portions, this place probably isn't your cup of tea (or should I say vino)? It's QUALITY over quantity here. Needless to say, two personal sized pizzas and a piatto de salumi & formaggi (shared) was enough to feed 4 of us gals. OVERALL: I would definitely come back here again if I was in the area. Highly recommend.
(5)Alison B.
Flavor of pizza was good, but too soggy for just coming out of the oven. We ordered 4 different pies and each was soggy. I have been to the Sacramento location ad theirs are crispy even when you order to go. Maybe the oven wasn't hot enough. The salad was great and so was the service. But soggy pizza can only get two stars.
(2)Tracy A.
Thin-crust goodness. High-energy, casual vibe. Best pizza I've had in the Bay Area. Can't wait to return to Hot Italian. I am a flatbread fan, and this pizza is really thin. The menu offers delicious, high-end ingredients; they use sauce/cheese sparingly, as it should be. We had the No. 13 (fennel sausage, mushroom, smoked mozzarella). Wonderful flavors. And I was pleasantly surprised by the pricing. We sat at the bar, and Billy D. took good care of us. They offer a few nice wines at reasonable prices. The olive sampler ($7) was excellent, and included a bit of arugula that we placed on top of our pizza. Instead of a special night out, Hot Italian is a place you can enjoy frequently because the prices and portions aren't off the charts. I can't recommend it too highly. (P.S. Such a breath of fresh air compared to the really sad food available inside the Emeryville Public Market. I once had to spit out the Thai food I'd ordered inside.)
(5)Soo Jung R.
FAVORITE PIZZA PLACE OF ALL around the Bay Area! (note: pizza here are very thin crusted!) OVERALL: Great experience! I'd love to come here again anytime I crave pizza in the East Bay. I'd even drive up from South Bay if I had to. In terms of the sharpness of flavor, this place beats my now-2nd-favorite pizza-place in the Bay Area, which is La Pizzeria in Campbell (La Pizzeria has larger portions though!). --------------------------------------------------Â----------------------- FOOD: Menu lists items that can be ordered as a Pizza or a Calzone. I wanted to try a Calzone but they didn't offer the item I wanted as a Calzone. Bummer. I went here for the pizza anyway :) Fiori (Pizza with prosciutto parma, mozzarella, mushrooms, tomato sauce, arugula, bariani truffle oil): Prosciutto was just the right thinness, and not too salty at all. Felt soft to the tongue. Having the arugula on the pizza was like having salad topped onto the pizza - in a good way. Insalata Marcuzzi (mixed greens, shaved fennel, carrots, radish, red onion, castelvetrano olives): Fennel went great with the salad, so did the castelvetrano olives. The olives weren't too salty either, it was as if they fermented/cured it themselves at the restaurant! Loved it. DESSERT: For one cup of gelato, you can choose TWO flavors! We tried the Madagascar Vanilla and the Lemon Tiramisu. I don't usually try Vanilla so I am not an expert, but the Madagascar Vanilla tasted like other Vanilla flavors I've had in the past. The Lemon Tiramisu's lemony taste overshadowed the tiramisu a little - but the cool thing is it has actual Tiramisu bites/pieces in the icecream so you can feel the soft, bread-y-ness. :) --------------------------------------------------Â----------------------- INTERIOR/Store Layout: Simple/minimalist designs, yet still provides a warm chit-chatty atmosphere. Many, many tables - also has a small bar. Have 4 seats in front of the open kitchen, but I think it'll be a little cramped if 4 people actually sat there. I sat there but I was only with one other person - and it was enough for us two. COOL: They have a small branch? of NAIA Gelateria here. I don't know if NAIA dictates what gets sold here, or they just supply the ice cream. Either way works for me, as I found comfort in knowing Naia is still around - I getting sad that NAIA Berkeley was closing. NICE: They pre-cook toppings and make doughs in advance, thus it didn't take long for our order to come out! Helpful servers, and chefs looked like they were in a good mood. - seemed happy to be there.
(5)Brian M.
Slightly above average food, 20-30% overpriced. Doesn't seem to draw much of a crowd, most likely due to being a little overpriced. Right inside the doors of the international food market next door is a wide variety of excellent choices at better prices. I give Hot Italian 8 to 12 months, unless they start paying attention to Yelp. Nice enough staff...
(2)Tara T.
So the pizza is awesome , the thing that makes it perfect is the chili oil. Good stuff.
(5)Angel G.
Very good paninis the size of half a pizza. I like it. Too bad it's all the way in Emoryville.
(3)Alicia D.
Water pitchers had MOLD in it. Went on here to write a review about it and noticed other people had wrote about the mold. Should have checked yelp first before going
(1)Dusty N.
I live across the street and thought it was going to be easy to pick up a pizza to go. I ordered a pepperoni pizza and waited about 20 minutes, then had my 10 minute walk across the street, took my time, etc. When I got there it wasn't ready and the bartender was really rude to me because I was sitting at his bar waiting for my pizza and not ordering an overpriced drink from him. When I finally got home I was super disappointed to find out that the pizza was extremely tiny and I had just paid a lot of money for what was supposed to be better than average pizza. After I ate it I got really sick and was in the bathroom all night. It was greasy but I think something wasn't so fresh about the ingredients. Such a shame I won't be going back since it's so close to me.
(1)Melissa M.
Went here for a networking event about a month ago on a weeknight. It's super easy to find the place and there's plenty of parking. The restaurant atmosphere is casual and open. They have a good drink selection, use some organic ingredients and focus on using authentic recipes. They also are LEED certified, so you can be confident they are operating more sustainably than most restaurants out there.
(5)Kaylie L.
You know, I really really wanted to love this place. The name is adorable, it's a great location and it's pizza - what could be better? Well - let me tell you... The service: Was actually pretty great. Our waitress did NOT come by every 45 seconds which is a relief because that gets old. She came around when our drinks were empty and our plates were clear. Nice change of pace that I appreciated. Location/Decor: Great spot in Emeryville, good decor. Could use some smaller tables, maybe by the windows instead of all the large tables. But not bad. The food: Ok, local, fresh, I get it. Doesn't mean it's always great. The pizza was good, but not great. Excellent ratio of crust-to-sauce-to-cheese but then the toppings. The sausage is so lean I thought it was made with beef, not pork. And the fennel in it is so overpowering you feel like your eating...fennel, not meat. It drowns out the taste of the high-quality cheeses they mention. Also, my friends pizza came with kalamata olives, which isn't terrible but she expected the regular 'ol black olives pizzas usually come with because that's what the waitress said it came with. Also, they don't have cheese and peppers on the table - they have oils, one with rosemary and one with hot red peppers. Kinda neat but I really didn't need/want extra grease on my pizza soooo what's up with that? It should also be noted that they have three choices for soda: Coke, Coke Zero and Sprite. A full bar but only three choices for soda? Sucky and bizarre. Next time I'm out that way, I may eat there again. It wasn't terrible but it's not worth a special trip just for the food. There are some amazing East Bay pizza places closer to me who don't need to rattle on about 'fresh, local' and don't have the hipster mentality of putting unique or new things on pizza - they just make pizza and they do it damn well.
(3)Lilah B.
I've really enjoyed the food and gelato every time I've been. In fact, there hasn't been a disappointment yet, but, it's not amazing and it's not a once in a life time experience. Since I've not experienced any disappointments there, I personally think that it deserves 4 stars.
(4)Andrew S.
I came here for lunch with co-workers a couple of weeks ago. There's plenty of parking in the free lot that's attached to the public market. Pros - Pizzas Cons - On the slow side - Price I really liked Materazzi (pepperoni) pizza that I got. They take 10-15 minutes to make and come out on plastic pizza thangs. I wish I had waited a few minutes because I burned the roof of my mouth scarfing down the first few pieces. The smaller pizza was more than enough to fill me up. My only qualm with this place is the price. I just can't justify coming here often and spending upwards of 18 bucks on pizza+service. If you're really in the mood for pizza, you should come here, but I'm probably going to opt for the other (cheaper) options in the Public Market.
(3)Artistry In Motion P.
5 stars for the the service I received and their pizza's are always good. We ordered the Fiori with a sunnyside egg on top. The pizza came without the egg, so I reminded our waiter that they have forgotten our egg. He was really apologetic and took it back. We were seated near the open kitchen and I saw that our pizza was just left on the counter with no attention. I thought to myself,'why can't they just put an egg on top?' Came to realized they made a whole new pizza all together. Cool! Our waiter brought it back and again, apologizing about the mistake on our order, that dessert would be on him. Wow! Just the gesture was way beyond appreciated. We kindly, denied his offer because at this point I was going to leave him a fat tip and pay for my own dessert. If I owned a business, I was going to recruit him. Can't reminder his name, but he did say he was part of a band and started off by doing dishes in the back prior to promotion. For dessert, we had Affogato. Yumm! Order it if you love caffeine.
(5)W. T.
Bike friendly location both inside and out. Location is near Market Hall, err, the outer anchor of the building. Service attentive. Bathrooms are noteworthy as each bathroom is unisex and independent in its own room. The washroom is shared. Prices reasonable, the pizza is excellent. Thin crust and the pizza is sized for two mild eaters. 2 pizza's between 4 healthy fit eaters left us hungry after we left. Just FYI! We got the Gattuso and Bellucci. Choose a coffee (macchiato, americano) over a soda, the coffee costs less, too. Enjoyed our group meal here, great for groups, I've come here with 2 to over 200 people. BIKE FRIENDLY gets my business.
(5)Art O.
So I've been a couple of time now and I guess I've had a similar experience to Ashley J. Similarly, I can't really say anything bad about the food. I've tried four different pizzas and they were fine. Just nothing that stands out really. And the service can be spotty. My last visit was much better than my initial visit. That first time the waitress really didn't stop by often and it seemed like she didn't want to be there. And there's no one there to really greet you. You have to wait for a server to notice you to place you at a table. The interior is a bit cavernous too. Never really seen this place packed and all that empty space makes it seem on the empty side. It's a place that I'd go to again but only if I'm hungry after a visit to Guitar Center.
(3)Elle D.
Our visit started off bad. Our waitress was really nice but neglected to bring us water and we waited about 20 minutes to get our beer and wine. The sangria wasn't terrible, though it tasted more like a blend of juice and booze rather than fruit infused wine. The salad was AWFUL. Wilted Romaine with olives, bug chunks of cheese, about 5 garbanzo beans and a barely perceptible vinaigrette. We were starving so we scarfed down mouthful after mouthful of the bitter greens. We saw several other patrons with something that looked like triangular crispy pizza dough in baskets on their table. We wondered if that was a sort of complementary bread basket type of thing. We eyed it enviously but never got our waitresses attention to inquire. We were getting pretty impatient and hopeless seeing others being served these skinny, sad looking pizzas. But, to our great surprise.....the pizza arrived and was friggin DELICIOUS!! They have this amazingly flavored spicy oil you can drizzle on it. good LORD! The pizza was good by itself and the oil took it to orgasmic levels. Next time we agreed we are ordering two pizzas and no salad. I'll never bother with a salad there again. We can't wait to go back.
(4)Tony A.
I will start by saying the pizza was definitely above average. Fresh ingredients, and everything looked like it was made in house which is a HUGE plus. It came out nice and hot! The crust was nice and crispy, and the toppings were plentiful. Our drinks (two soft drinks) were comp'd because of the issue below which was very nice. Now for the overall: Decided to give this place a shot after a grueling battle through the mazes of IKEA. We walked in Sunday afternoon and it was dead. We were greeted with a "hello! Grab a menu and have a seat!". We followed directions. After 3-4 minutes went by I started to make eye contact with some of the servers. They didn't bother coming by. More people came in and were seated. I then started to notice THOSE people were being attended to by the server who was SUPPOSED to be handling our table. She looked at me a good 5 times and didn't bother to come by. I then motioned to the bus boy "hey... is anyone gonna help us?" He looked like he went over to talk to our server. Still, she did NOT come by. After a good 10 minutes (usually I'm past my breaking point) I motioned to him again. he was the only one who was looking at us. I really felt invisible. He went over to ANOTHER server and she FINALLY came by. Apologized for the other girl, and was wonderful from there on. I took my daughters up to the window so they could watch the chef's make the pizza. The crappy waitress that looked at me a TON of times without bothering to help us, asked if we needed menus!!! WTF!! Are you serious? We already ordered, were there for 15 minutes, and NOW she asks? I then had to listen to her telling another employee that she was offered another job at the same time she got the job at Hot Italian. I really wish she would have taken the other job instead. Maybe our experience would have been better! I'm not one to not visit again because of service, so I will definitely give it another shot when we're in the area again. Hopefully we'll get great service right off the bat, instead of having to beg.
(2)Karen N.
I can pretty easily say I've had one of the best pizzas ever here. The boyfriend and I drove by on our way to Ikea and Hot Italian totally caught our eye (the bf is Italian, he couldn't resist stopping!). The restaurant itself is really cool, modern, open. Communal sitting, I like. Bikes on the walls, huge tables, bar, gelato station, and an open kitchen. We started with the Zambrotta salad. Mmmmm, the cured salted beef was really good, not too salty. Perfect handful of heirloom tomatoes thrown in. Good standard salad, but the star was definitely the pizza. We ordered the Bellucci, amaaaazing. I normally don't ever crave pizza, because it's so rich.... so the style of pizza here fit my taste perfectly. Real thin crust pizza that had a nice crunchy bite to it. Minimal sauce and just enough cheese, perfect ratio to let all the other ingredients shine. Top it with a drizzle of their chili oil and you are in heaven. They had thyme oil too, also really good... but do the chili oil, trust. Everything came out really quick and service was friendly. We ended the meal with some of their gelato. Not really that good, but they get their gelato from somewhere in Ohio(?). We got tiramisu and dark chocolate. The tiramisu was lemon tiramisu (never knew such a thing existed), honestly... not that good. Just tasted like really sour cheesecake. The waiter forgot to tell us it wasn't regular tiramisu before we started eating it, so we were a little bummed, but we don't waste food. :) Long story short though, don't get the gelato. Remember: Pizza + Chili Oil. Seriously.
(5)Susan S.
Ever go to a restaurant and have an extremely great overall experience the first time and then the next time, it really sucked donkey balls due to some bizarre psychotic supervisor apparently in charge at the time? I am willing to give the restaurant a third try because I know the WC (aka Wild Child) would be all over a pizza place that not only serves good pizza, but they also stream soccer on their TV AND they have a cool assortment of designer bicycles hanging on the main wall presented as an art installation. Oh, and did I mention they also serve up some yummo gelato as well and I typically never order dessert? My first visit was wonderful. I had to drop-off the WC at his state soccer camp in West OakT. I needed to find sustenance STAT as I had missed lunch and was famished. My server that day Ali was wonderful! I was craving a calzone. He steered my initial choice of one possibility, to the Matterazi which was a calzone stuffed with pepperoni, olives, tomato sauce, mozzarella and fontina cheese. It was the size of a large inflated flying saucer that could not take off again due to loads of yummy cargo. It was delicious with a glass of the organic chardonnay and lots of the fresh chilled water they had brought out immediately in a chilled bottle gratis. The only minor complaint about the calzone was that the ingredients weren't distributed as well making certain bites too salty, and other bites that were just the delicious crust without many, if any, ingredients. The WC liked my leftovers, but being Mr. Picky, he picked out the yummy olives, gave them to me to eat, and had a less salty portion. All in all, I was very happy with the charming service, help, and oh,and that gelato! Ali brought two samples of coconut and plum gelato. The plum tasted like plums that were just freshly picked off of a tree. YES! Fast-forward to my next visit a couple of days later in the afternoon. I thought I could bring a few pizzas for about 15 kids and a couple of coaches to go while dining on the Bellucci (01) pizza consisting of homemade fennel sausage, mozzarella and ricotta. It was very delicious. After that, things kind of turned sour in terms of overall atmosphere. I sat once again near the bar so I could watch the soccer and talked on and off with various staff checking in on me who were obvious soccer enthusiasts. Note: it's not "my sport" but I love watching it. Between the occasional helpful staff chirps, I started to get a vibe from a guy behind the bar that he thought said staff were slacking. I didn't see any customers being ignored, and if your ambiance is soccer and bicycles, what's wrong with talking it up with the clientele? All of a sudden, I felt like a deer caught in the headlamps because I kept assessing the situation watching the dude behind the bar chewing out two servers, one with whom I was talking and it was obviously a lecture about their "bad" customer service which was ironically, IMHO great. I felt like I was witnessing some fast food manager chewing out his employees over nothing but he had rank because he could. I had initially mentioned to that dude behind the bar that I was taking several pizzas to go but just simple cheese for 7-10 y-o-kids. He calculated a figure at full adult price and it was outrageous. I cut down the amount and eventually included most of my personal pizza to give to the kids. Nice of that dude to not support the most local NorCal State Soccer Club in the County practicing in West Oakland given they were a futbol-themed restaurant. That second experience really soured me. The pizzas were great, don't get me wrong, but this supposed manager was not only mean to the staff, but ended up being a mean-ass jerk to me. I may return with the WC because it really was one great vs. one tainted experience, but I think I'll go over and talk to the folks at E-22 and see if I can get a kids' team discount when buying pizza in bulk in the future especially when the kids are at playing out at Oaktown's Raimondi Field and the players are from all over Alameda County. It's not like I was asking for freebies here, but I was trying to support a local non-profit club and didn't expect to be charged adult prices for young kids. *sighs* AKA, clue into the fact that a kids' menu might work if you are truly "family friendly." Most local businesses get that and they are not say Dominoes. Trust me you, being the snack and meal coordinator for the team has made me reach out always to support local businesses. Else, I cook it myself. Oh well, or as the WC's Godmother would say: "Questa è la vi!" (Actually, what she really said in Italian would probably be filtered here!). ;)
(3)Miranda S.
My husband and I were so disappointed when our local pizzeria, Addie's closed in 2012. Then Hot Italian opened and we've been happily addicted ever since. The staff are great, gelato is excellent with regular and seasonal flavors, and all of our orders have been consistently good. Ironically while we originally came to Hot Italian for pizza, we usually order their calzones. Very yummy. We love that we can place take out orders too.
(5)Hilda Z.
I like hot (carb loaded) Italian....goodness! I was accompanied on my visit by my sister and her two kids. I wasn't sure it was going to go over well, but we soon had a five year old who was in love with the soccer game being projected on the side wall of the dinning area (along with watching the dough being tossed) Service was fast. Had 2 pizzas; Ligabue (cheese, drizzle of pesto and pine nuts) and Murino (pear, gorgonzola, honey). They were enjoyed by all. Simple ingredients made for a delicious contrast of flavors! Bummed no crayons for the little ones, luckily the 3 and 5 year olds were easily distracted. That said, bring your kid a toy and try it out. Very cool open dinning space, plenty of options for a taste of Italy in Emeryville!
(4)Joyce H.
Stopped by after a trip to Emeryville IKEA - delicious thin-crust pizza, but not something I'd go out of my way for. Asked the server for recommendations, but he was ultimately unhelpful in pointing out interesting pizza -- steering us toward pretty ordinary sounding choices. Hopped on Yelp for recommendations instead, and of course, Yelpers never fail. :) We ended up trying the Gattuso (lifted straight from the menu: pumpkin puree, scamorza, mozzarella, sage oil, parsley, ricotta salata cheese) with added pancetta, and Murino (mozzarella, gorgonzola dolce cheese, seasonal pears, del rio farms honey). Gattuso was interesting.. couldn't really taste the pumpkin because pancetta just overwhelmed everything else. Still yummy and savory, but ended up just tasting like cheese + pancetta. A good foil to the Murino! Murino is a bit sweet and clashes with your what your brain thinks pizza should taste like, but ultimately really tasty; the cheese is strong, but the pears and honey cut right through it to keep it light and not overwhelmingly heavy. I really liked the pepper infused oil, makes your pizza crust more tasty & adds a bit of heat.
(3)Anne V.
Favorite for the family. The antipasto plate is awesome and really generous. I just wish their wine came in wine glasses.
(5)Trey W.
Where do I begin? The pizza is so amazing. I didn't think I was a fan of thin crust pizza, but thank god I proved myself wrong at 32 years of age. This pizza is amazing.. perfect crust/cheese/topping ratio, fresh ingredients, careful thought out pizza toppings (I would suggest not substituting, the flavors meld so nicely as is...). And just when you thought it couldn't get any better, you break out the chili oil, in place of the traditional red pepper flakes. It's spicy, flavorful, but not painful heat. Perfect compliment to the meal. My boss and I killed 3 pizzas between the two of us. Don't judge me!
(5)Chloe H.
HOT ITALIAN is in the bay area! The first location of Hot Italian sprung up in Sacramento roughly three years ago, and in just a few weeks past their third year anniversary, Hot Italian Public Market was born. Located in the same shopping center as the Public Market and Peets' Coffee, Hot Italian is serving up thin crust pizzas that are the perfect size to fill you up. The atmosphere is casual dining with a sophisticated twist, communal size tables complete with a wall size projector broadcasting italian soccer and sports. Delicious pizzas, perfectly spicy chili olive oil and knowledgable and friendly staff complete the experience. Lets just hope you come in on a night where Chef and Co-Owner Fabrizio Cercatore is spinning the pizza pies in the air- dinner and a show! Hot Italian is exactly what Emeryville needs, now there is more than just IKEA as a reason to make that pit stop.
(5)Ashley J.
The food is good, the experience is a bit lacking. I can't say anything bad about the food, it is delicious. The location could be cool, but they just hit the mark. The service was spotty and the vibe is a little cold for a place that is called Hot Italian.
(3)Kenson K.
Good thin crust, New York style ready to order gourmet Italian pizza. Yummy. They even give freshly grated parmigiana cheese on the side upon request. None of that processed parmasean stuff.
(4)Ken W.
This place is a hop, skip and jump away from my current apartment. I'm going to be very sad when I eventually move. Their chili oil has a nice kick but the taste is not overwhelming. I really love thin crust pizza and this place is definitely a great place to go. I recently ordered the Bellucci, Magnini and Fiori. Took about 10-15 minutes on a pretty slow night. The Bellucci is by far my favorite out of the 3. The sausage with fresh ricotta cheese gives it a great taste and texture. I love this pizza! The Magnini almost tasted like a salmon and cream cheese bagel (without the dough). It was pretty good. Finally, the Fiori was just decent. The mushrooms were too moist so the pizza became a bit soggy. I think if they baked some of the water out of their mushrooms first, it would have given this a better texture. I'll definitely be coming back for the Bellucci!
(4)Renee S.
Arugula Pizza...... Yum!
(5)Danny L.
When I think of a "hot Italian," I usually think of hot Italian models and exotic cars.... I also think of Monica Bellucci... now, that's a Hot Italian! But food?! Never thought of food that way. But then again, food porn is on the rise. I have to admit, I was tantalized, just a little, and got a little hot thinking that a HOT ITALIAN would be coming to the Public Market. Especially since the Public Market is known to lack anything remotely close to hot. The concept and set up is pretty darn cool. They offer a large variety of Italian style pizzas, calzones, alcohol, pastas, and yes... they even have a gelato section at the bar. Oh, what a perfect way to cool down your HOT Italian experience!
(4)diana l.
TOP NOTCH 1st of all I'm not a big fan of pizza and 2nd-ly who needs another pizza joint? Seems that 3 out of 5 around this area are centered around pizza and Emeryville is short on quality restaurants. Jaded- I went here with a friend by default of the evenings events and too tired to care. 1st IMPRESSION: Very hip modern minimal italian style. Ambiance, esthetics a 4 star. FOOD: minimal, pizza, pizza, pizza, paninis with a few salads and gelato. All I expected was to quell my hunger with an unmemorable slice or two but to my surprise it turned out to be an incredible meal. That's a lot to say for someone who's not a pizza-person. Simple and sophisticated is the way to sum it up: Thin crust, mushrooms with truffle oil, fresh, fresh, fresh. Had a green salad and that was fresh, fresh, fresh too with a lovely light balsamic dressing...A 5 STAR SERVICE: Perfecto, accommodated a shift of ingredients, very professional pleasant waitress, fast service...A 5 star COST: Not inexpensive but well worth the quality to ambiance ratio in the middle of Emeryville where tasty fresh food is to be desired. IMPRESSION: Impressed. A great place to get together casually with friends or go alone for a quick bite. Consistent in every way to a modern Italian mode. Bello. Currently my favorite restaurant in Emeryville.
(4)May I.
Finally! A place in Emeryville that's cool, inexpensive, and spacious. Came for a birthday party last Friday with a group of 15. We had reserved a table a few days before, but for some reason all 15 seats weren't available when we arrived, and our party had to be split up. Typically, I can imagine people flipping sh- - about this - but we were tipsy and merry and didn't mind splitting up. I can't tell you how kind and helpful our waiter was to us. (I wish I remembered his name!). Big groups can be pretty chaotic and obnoxious, but he handled us with such a big smile! He kept apologizing about having to temporarily split our party up. He gave us free Zucchero as dessert (hazelnut, mascarpone cheese rolled in our pizza crust and dusted with powdered sugar), enough to treat all of us, and it was absolutely divine. He also patiently split the bill 15 ways for all of us, even though we didn't want to inconvenience him. This time around, I personally had the bellucci pizza (homemade fennel sausage, mozzarella, and topped with balls of fresh ricotta) which I wouldn't get again. The ricotta did not complement the rest of the pizza. However, there's so many options on the menu that I will definitely come back and try the other pizza options. Pros: + Great service + Ferrero Rocher gelato. Ya, you read that correctly + Zucchero dessert + Inexpensive drinks Cons: + Hit or miss pizzas + Diverse, sometimes unexpected crowd. We thought the place to be bustling on a Friday night, but many of the tables were large families with young kids. It was a little awkward Overall, convenient and great after-work place that can wonderfully accomodate groups!
(4)melissa m.
yum yum yum. I'm a big pizza fan and this place is my new go to place. What can I say! Here are a few highlights and I cant single out any pizza because they've all been good. Plus they make a great salad, have awesome gelato, cool bike themed decor, always showing some sport projected on the wall and they are right around the corner from me.... YES! -- crispy thin crust from edge to center -- delicious combination of fresh ingredients -- hot chili pepper oil is spectacular -- they serve alcohol if you like -- freshly tossed salads with interesting fresh fruit accents -- they don't skimp on toppings for their pizzas and they don't over dress their salads (better not change Hot Italian) What else would be better... if I went there with a real hot italian! ;) Check it out! Better yet.. lets go together! haha!
(5)Ric M.
Short review for me for this one. This place is 5-star for doing what it does excellently! Great pizzas - and dipping the crust in the hot chile olive oil...yum. The perfect combination of portions, service, quality, and price.
(5)Jory M.
Received a gift card to this place along with high praise, so we were looking forward to checking this place out but overall, meh... Pizzas were definitely nothing to write home about, and in this area, that's not promising because there are so many good spots - Pizzaiolo being the cream of the crop, IMO. Atmosphere was uninviting and service was spotty at best - waiter didn't check in on us once after taking our order, but was there like a vulture once the bill was on the table. Oh, and why dress like Lance Armstrong? I really don't get it. We've still got $12 on our gift card that I don't plan on us using. Want it? Tell me why you deserve it and it's yours. Seriously. Cheers.
(3)Steph T.
The yelp description of the ambience sums up this place nicely with "hipster and trendy." There are bikes on the wall, one mismatched chair at each long communal table, black paint on the walls, and I was stuck with a nonchalant waiter that didn't seem to have ever tasted, much less read the menu. I was not the biggest fan of the place or service which felt lazy, however, the pizza was very good! And that's what really matters - when you can take it to go! As a warning, we found a few pieces of wood chips in our pizza. Didn't kill us, but helped me to form the lazy opinion. The entire menu sounded delicious with nicely balanced flavors. My favorite pizza was the Jovanotti with prosciutto parma ham, pepperoni, mushrooms, tomato sauce, mozzarella and robiola cheese. I almost ordered two - for myself. Crust is thin, chewy, and is a perfect example of how thin crust should be done. For something sweet, the murino with pears, honey and mozzarella is amazing. Also, save some room for their gelato that was perfectly light and creamy. Go now!
(4)Alison H.
What a joke. The thug behind the bar acted as though I didn't know what flavor of gelato I wanted, served it to me in a chipped glass, shrugged when I pointed it out to him, and pocketed some of my change. I only went there to watch a movie. The table next to mine mentioned to their server that we couldn't hear so they put on the subtitles. They were cut off on the bottom but you could still figure it out. They turned off the subtitles after 20 minutes and we were left with nothing but the picture and mumbled noise. I have no idea what their pizza is like but their customer service is nonexistent.
(1)Renalen C.
casual yet fancy pizzas and gelato. lost of pizza/calzone/salad options. and the pizza we has was pretty good. the only thing that i wish they could do was split the pizza flavors. its a pretty decent sized pizza that serves two and it wont go well if the diners are at a disconnect on toppings. AND what kind of pizza place is too good to carry crushed red peppers? that is a must for me.
(2)Jason C.
Hmmm.... Kinda of a stark environment, furnished with modern stuff, with a bike-centric décor. There was a soccer game being projected on the wall. No hard liquor yet, but they will have a full bar soon. We had a beer, and shared the antipasto plate and ordered pizzas to go. It's good food. Simple, straightforward and a lot of different combos offered for the pizzas. The staff was very nice and knowledgeable and we will be back!
(5)Vanessa S.
I've been here twice and they have not disappointed. Their staff is nice and friendly. The pizza is pretty darn good and it's just a pretty cool place to hang out and have some pizza.
(4)Jhony L.
So every once and then I eat pizza at this place .obviously the pizza is good because I keep coming back , their salads are also a delicious treat that you can't normally find in a pizza place . However yesterday I also ordered desert .. Must say , stay away ! The Dow wasn't prepared right and the taste of it wasn't what I've expected (just tasted like Nutella ) overall great pizza place not so great for deserts other then ice cream !
(4)Jason F.
This wonderful fast casual place opened just a few months ago with not too much buzz, but a lot of great energy judging from outside. A friend and I went for a quick dinner at 6:30pm on a Wednesday, the place wasn't full at the time but got busier as the hours went by. We asked our server what he recommended, he suggested getting a salad and pizza for two. We wanted some more food, so we got a pizza and calzone, what I say we're pigs, but we also like trying things off a menu to ensure we recommend this place to others. We tried the Materazzi Calzone and the Zocarri Pizza. The Zocarri Pizza which is seafood like shrimps and mussels but with no cheese was really delish, and a unique pie for those who aren't used to it... The calzone juicy but with the olives a little salty, but I would have another one again...Bottom line is this place is good enough for parties, families, couples, friends, or perhaps most telling people eating solo because it's so unpretentious. count on me to return in the future!
(4)Conrad B.
Went here for the Yelp event. But we felt like we should get a pizza because it looked real good. We settled on the pesto pizza ($14 + $2 for prosciutto). Our order was taken immediately (at the bar), and our bartender/server was very efficient and friendly. Size was reasonable given the obvious freshness of each and every ingredient. It's cool that they serve the pizza with an herb oil and a chile oil (the latter was great for crust-dipping!). The major letdown for me was the lack of pesto. It was sorta piped on the pizza in little drizzles...when I did taste the pesto, it was great, but I was disappointed that we got so little for a pizza, where the first ingredient listed was pesto... Continuing with this train of thought, the prosciutto was very necessary to elevate the pizza given the minimal pesto. More pesto, and the pizza would be fine on its own - with the prosciutto, the lack of pesto was not as apparent. I don't want to finish the review in a negative light though - the pizza was extremely good, and the freshness of the ingredients did not go unnoticed! The pizza is a bit expensive, at first look, but try a slice, note the freshness, and you'll get past it... All in all, Hot Italian is a cool restaurant with good pizza. Methinks I'll be back. Also, I liked the projection of the soccer game on the wall.
(4)Celeste B.
Finally, a restaurant at the Public Market with table service and wine. I rarely allow my diet to include pizza, but was happy that I did today. Interesting concept, all the tables are communal. Great place to dine with friends or chill by yourself. My chosen dining companion was my iPad. I was not thrilled that despite several empty tables, a lone woman sat at my table and way too close. Really special when she blew her nose, but I digress. I had excellent service. The Soave was tasty and pizza was delicious. It had a thin crust and perfect amounts fresh ingredients. The one I choose had procuitto, tomato sauce and mushrooms. My only complaint is that they should have some veggie sides. If you put broccoli rabe on a pizza, you can offer it as a side. They do have salads but I was in the mood for cooked veggies. Great stop before a pedicure or movie. So sad the bookstore is gone. Recommend.
(4)John D.
Came in for a panini. They had a weekend burch menu so I got a breakfast panini. It's basically a pizza folded in half, so pizza dough/crust not bread. It was really good and the service was good as well.
(4)Savier M.
Started off with the cheese only Briatore. It tasted like cheese. Then the ante was upped with the delicious Fiori, which reintroduced me to the beauty of prosciutto. Things then got a bit testy with the pear slice and honey adorned Murino. It was sweet but nuanced by the underlying cheeses. My bite of the Jovanotti was superbly piquant and put a happy wrap on a low-key night. It's all traditional style pizza with Italian styling, yes, although there's still some American sensibilities in its preparation. If you order an occasional flatbread or two, this pizza stands on its own. It just didn't seem much more authentic than others. If you have been to Italy, then shutout the memories, this is not manly tears pizza. My manly tears quest continues.
(5)Kristin U.
If you like thin crust pizza, go now! Excellent choices of toppings, a lot of white pies in addition to red sauce. We usually get 2 pies for the 3 of us, with a few slices leftover. A little pricey but good place to catch some of the game on TV, have a drink or gelato after, and chill.
(4)Jon P.
We go somewhat regularly because we live nearby and my wife likes it. I have been trying different pizzas and I tried a calzone and the toppings are usually lacking. I understand the style of this pizza, but they tend to be very light on the mozzarella and sauce. Also, I'm not sure what the "standard" is, but I have had this style at numerous places and I like a thin, cracker type crust. The crust here is kind of soggy and doesn't support itself when you pick up a slice. The service is pretty average. Not fast, but not slow. Friendly, but not overly outgoing. For people looking for something quick and a little different, this place is a good idea for you. Because of the small pies and thin crust, they can get a pie out in about 5 minutes.
(2)Ej P.
Went here with my family a few weeks ago. And let me tell you, it wasn't the greatest of outings. First of all, the set-up of the restaurant was fairly nice; it had a contemporary Italian feel to it, which I enjoyed. However, our server was by far the worst server I have ever experience. Talk about loosening up, this guy acting like he had a stick up his ass! Maybe I was a little too harsh with words, it was probably the guys first day. The pizza was average. I was beyond starving to realize how greasy and slippery the thin-crust pizzas were. Overall, the food was something that can be easily made at home. Oh, and before I end my rant, I did notice that the cooks in the back were constantly using their forearms/hands to wipe their faces and forehead.. then go back to touching the food. Seriously? And then I see one of the cooks toss a pepperoni in their mouths? Not a good impression and smart move when you have hungry customer waiting for their dinner.
(2)Eve C.
Creamy gelato bursting with flavor...especially the ferrero rocher one. If you close your eyes, you would think you were eating a cold piece of candy. The smoked swordfish was cut thin which was perfect to go on the flatbread...drizzle it with some of the chili olive oil. The smoky flavor is definitely present but not so much that is all you are tasting. There is a crispness and sweetness to the crust. The pesto is fresh and nicely blend of basil, Parmesan and garlic. Happy tummy.
(4)Bici G.
I was excited to visit this new restaurant in our vicinity, especially because they have indoor bike parking and screen Bicycle races on their giant screen! We stopped in Saturday night and ordered the pesto pizza ($14)which has a little on the oily side. I wanted crushed red peppers but the waitress suggested the pepper oil which I declined since the pizza was already oily. We tried the house wine($6) tasted like vinegar, the Pinot noir was much better at $9 a glass. We also shared the gelato which was creamy and sweet. (2 scoops $4) Unfortunately, I wasn't impressed by the food. The waitress was very attentive and fast. The space is big and open but loud and the Italian pop music was hard to listen to. The menu has many options but not too many veggie, only the margarita and pesto. They also serve paninis and salads, which I haven't tried. I guess I'll stop in after a ride soon enough.
(3)Sam H.
Had lunch - service was attentive - food was ok - not worth $15 for a pizza! I expected more and got less - don't think I will go back
(3)Austin C.
Not sure I trust Yelp anymore.... I went on vacation to San Fran this weekend and tried 3-4 places that received good reviews. Only 1 was worth our time. Hot Italian was just across the street from our hotel and pizza sounded really good at the time. What a horrible experience... For one, the menu is 70% in Italian. I don't speak Italian; I don't care to know Italian. You walk in and seat yourself. The waitress asked us if it was our first time eating there. We said "yes" and then expected an explanation of the menu (which we couldn't read) All she says is "welcome" and walks off... We ordered one pizza and a salad. It took about 35 minutes for both to come out and there were only 4 other parties in the place. I'd hate to see what the wait is when it's actually busy there. The pizza tasted horrible and was completely burned on one side. The salad was decent but wasn't good enough to save this bad experience....
(1)William B.
Nice space.... LEED, minimalist, simple fresh local sourced... all that crap. They must still be working out some kinks. I genuinely think some of them wont be worked out but that could be debated. Had the piccolo (small) formaggi and salumi plate. The meat and cheese were a half notch above supermarket (Safeway) quality. Probably a C or C- on the academic scale. Gelato and Sorbetto were oddly sweet... better than average good certainly not great. Service was OK... kind of odd and disjointed at times. Our waiter upon being asked to name the cheeses on the plate stumbled... then consulted his paper guide... then left to consult someone else then came back... mumbled one name (three cheeses on the plate) and walked away hurriedly. Later, instead of asking how we were doing he awkwardly queried if we didn't like the cheese which was served in the largest quantity which we thus had quite a bit of still to eat. As my girlfriend (who's never wrong!) said... you have to remember it's the public market... this is food for the masses. If you've had good Italian food (Riva Cucina, hell even Siciliana) this probably wont cut it for you. In terms of the future... I'd consider it for a pitcher of beer, a plate of marcona almonds, and watching ridiculous people meandering outside of the big windows.
(2)vibrata c.
Finally, a place to get good pizza in the east bay, and it's in EMERYVILLE, of all places. First time we tried to eat here, it was way loud -- not just the people, but the cheesy music -- we literally walked in and walked right back out. But we were sad because it smelled great and looked stylish and fun. Last night we were wanting some za. Really grumbly tummies, so we were going to grab a slice in the public market and call it a day, but decided to take a peek in Hot Italian again. Not quite as chaotic and seemed more promising this time. Didn't like the tall chairs. Pet peeve of mine - I am 5' 1" and guess what, for an Italian like myself that's a great height. Anyways, next time we'll sit at the normal height tables. They served us good wine and beer. Pizza menu was full of enticing options. Mine had prosciutto, mushroom, arugula and truffle oil. His was pepperoni, olive and fontina. Both were great. Liked the thin chewy/crunchy crust, nicely baked. Good cheese. Sauce could be a bit sharper for my taste - I suspect that will improve when tomatoes are actually in season; curse you, California, for your weird tomatoes! - but fresh made tomato sauce gets big points. Great service. I am a really tough customer for pizza - did I mention I'm italian? - but I will return here again.
(4)Annette P.
LOVE this place.. can't get enough. The salmon pizza is to die for. No complaints.. always wonderful...
(5)Sarah L.
Ambiance isn't as cool as the Midtown Sac location but they keep true to their Hot Italian theme. Had the the limited edition social media special. Ask them for it. It's got fresh figs which neither my bf nor I have had before. It was also topped with a balsamic glaze and some sort of cheese. Pretty good pizza but I feel like it was missing a bit of a salty bite. We also had a stonefruit salad to accompany it. Overall great little dinner. Opted to not have gelato this time but will come back for it.
(4)Kayley P.
Love this place. Awesome people. Awesome pizza and they love their sports! The chilly oil is fantastic and their gelato to die for. I am in love.
(5)Christy L.
Great place to hang out with some friends for a Friday night bite! Sampled a few of the different pizzas - thin crust style with many great choices. The pizzas were larger than I expected and could be shared between two. Service was decent - our waiter was fun and had a great sense of humor. He made some great recommendations and kept us happy while we dined. They have a few things to work out still - like the need for an ice bucket when you order a bottle of prosecco...but all in all, a great place! I'm super picky about my pizza and have a hard time giving 4 stars, but I would say a good 3.5 stars for decent service and a great thin-crust oven pizza.
(3)Trav M.
I think I've found a new love affair with a certain Hot Italian in Emeryville. This place is undoubtedly going to be my new obsession for quite a while, I'm sure. Ancohring Emeryville's newly renovated Public Market, Hot Italian glares at you with it's black facade and white neon signage, asking you to come in and get comfy. Right upon entering, you realize that Hot italian is a little different. A little kiosk at the entrance suggests you to grab a menu and then seat yourself. To your right, bikes hang on the wall and a projector shines up the current happenings. To your left if a wine and espresso bar. Is that gelato? But, of course! The menu is very bright and exciting, featuring fresh ingredients that you don't see at your typical pizzeria. It's a great way to excite your taste buds. My boyfriend and I ordered two glasses of their house red wine (forgot to catch the name of it), and it was great. Probably one of the best House red wines I've had. From there, we started with the Piatto Di Salumi & Formaggi, a platter of meats, cheeses and some fruits. There were even almonds thrown in there. The meats consisted of prosciutto and pancetta. The berries consisted of strawberries, blueberries and grapes. The cheeses were a smoky gouda and a VERY sharp Pecorino cheese, which happens to be my favourite cheese EVER. The platter was $10 and between us two, was a great way to spark our palates for the night. For our pizza, we chose The Jovanotti: Prosciutto, Pepperoni, Mozzerella and Robiola cheeses. The pizza, as basic as it may sound literally blew my mouth away. Right after I had the first bite, I knew I was in love with this place and that no other pizza I have ever had in my life could compare with the first bite of this one. All of the ingredients played with each other so well and the CHEESES...OMG....they were so good. I could have eaten the whole pie by myself, but I was being modest. I'm really excited that I've found this place, as I'd heard nothing but great things about it from friends and I can't wait to try everything on the menu!
(5)Marco F.
I just had lunch at Hot Italian with a few coworkers. We ordered pizzas and a pizza/salad. I ordered the basic pizza (Cannavaro, which is really pizza margherita). The pizzas are about 1 foot in diameter and enough for a big lunch. Thin crust and true to the italian original! I'll definitely come back, bring back more friends. The staff is very eager and service was super fast. The espresso is perfect. I did not sample gelato. My friend had pizza Fiore, with mushroom, rucola and prosciutto - very good. Overall I am very happy that I have this pizza option for lunch!
(4)marko i.
My favorite pizza spot hands down. Staff is always friendly. Space is always clean. Beer is always cold, and the pizza is always top notch. Price reflects upscale quality of food. I would recommend this place to a friend. Menu changes pretty frequently but the standards are always there...
(5)Damon Z.
Hot Italian filled the missing link at Emeryville Public Market. This inviting space is, in my opinion, the best pizza spot, west of the train tracks, in Emeryville. With its massive ground-to-high-ceiling windows, colorful gelato display (which is hard NOT to notice from the sidewalk), and walls decorated with modern Italian bicycles, the mind can't help but be intrigued. A couple of weeks after this location opened, I ventured over with a friend to see if Hot Italian was a hot spot. The open-concept space is occupied with a combination of pub height tables and stools, and regular dining tables and chairs. Community seating is the norm here, so we hopped up onto one of the tall stools, and were quickly greeted by a server with a bottle of house water, and the offer for additional beverages. The easy-to-interpret menu, had over one dozen pizza choices, which were also available as paninis, a few salads, cured meat plates, and even a few weekend brunch items. After glancing back to the open kitchen, and seeing the cooks hand tossing pizza dough in the air, I oped for pizza, while my friend chose a panini. The Murino pizza, had slices of red pear, mozzarella, gorgonzola, and a drizzling of honey, on a thin crust, which, by itself, was delicious. The honey accented the pleasantly pungent zest of the gorgonzola, and overall, the pizza stimulated each of the five taste regions of the tongue. My friend's Magnini panini, which had smoked salmon, mozzarella, marscapone, and fresh greens, was folded in between, what looked like oversized science experiment of yeast. However, upon first bite, she was pleased to realize that it was an airy fresh baked bread, which would not render her weighed down. Though she enjoyed the freshness of the bread, some disappointment was expressed, as the smoked salmon was rather sparse. This, however, didn't prevent her from fully consuming both pieces of the panini. As for myself, the pizza, which is rather plentiful in diameter, disappeared fully into my digestive system anyway! The restaurant's interior has a clean and simple design. The black and white interior is modern, and lends it self to making you feel youthful and social. Additionally, the large windows flood the place with plenty of natural light. The patrons appeared to all be similar to myself, 25 - 45, no children, and casually dining with friends. Our server was friendly, and fully knowledgeable of the menu items. On the next visit, I've got to save room for gelato!
(4)wendy W.
Pizza # 32 amazing. I can't stop thinking about it. Every ingredient is of superior quality. Even the mushrooms were the best mushrooms I have ever tasted. I can't wait to go back and have another #32! The restaurant also has a nice, somewhat trendy, but not pretentious atmosphere. The wait staff was very friendly and helpful. The Hot Italian is a great new find.
(5)Moses H.
I love the Hot Italian in Sacramento - the original - with its pleasant outdoor area, the great bar, etc. I was really happy to see this second place open up - they have some of the best pizza in the Bay Area, on par with Little Star IMO, a nice thin-crust authentic Neapolitan courtesy of their very Italian pizzaiolo. Great, fresh ingredients, lots of flavor, good prices, nice place. I'll definitely go back.
(5)David C.
This place is pretty poppin, but it's pretty whatever. Maybe it's because I'm not a big fan of thin crust pizza though so that pretty much makes this review useless. The waiters are friendly, but ours was a little strange. He was just not very smooth. They set it up like a bar setting where you seat yourselves and you get helped eventually. There are lots of different options on the menu and the pizza was alright, but it almost floated into the air because it was son darn thin. The chili oil made the pizza nice and flavorful so that's one benefit to that. I probably won't be going again, but instead I'll be swinging by the food court next door... Have you seen that place?! There are a million things to eat! But Hot Italian is a nice place to check out at least once. Cool hipster place that seems pretty fun and poppin. the Great, GumZ
(3)Carrin B.
Really great pizza that was served so quickly that my husband and I were shocked. The service was fabulous and the gelato to die for. We will be back!
(5)M M.
THIS REVIEW IS FOR SERVICE ONLY. I ended up walking out. I stood at the counter and waited to be helped and no one addressed me for a few minutes. I finally walked around the gelato counter to a few staff members and asked to get gelato to-go, the waiter said he'd be right over and he never came. I watched him look busy and put away cutlery instead of taking my order. It was a bit infuriating to watch him. There were two other people behind the register talking and laughing with each other, so I tried to make eye contact with them, but they seemed to be ignoring me. My suggestion is if you're on break then leave the service area. The service at Hot Italian is terrible!!!! I walked in right before another couple and they were as baffled as I was. No one approached us or even made any signs of selling us any food. On a quiet Tuesday night I would hope for better service. Oh well.
(1)L K.
Wow! The Hot Italian has a loyal customer in me. My family had lunch here one weekend and loved the food and service. Pizzas remind me of those served in Verona, Italy and are incredibly delish. The simple menu of pizzas, calzones, salads and gelato makes this casual, modern bar a unique place to eat and hang. But what drove me to write and give them 5 stars was when I held my son's soccer team gathering. Most hipster hangouts would not accept kids, but Hot Italian was totally cool and calm about it. Vince, the Manager reserved tables for us on a Friday night and was very accommodating, friendly and flexible with changes. Ari, our server was calm, extremely attentive and overall amazing! Stellar food, spacious casual surroundings, good friendly service...I love this place. And I'm not easily impressed by many restaurants in the Bay Area. Thank you Hot Italian!!!!
(5)Diana M.
Great spot for Emeryville! This is my kind of joint - not too fluffy, still casual, yet trendy! Clean, spacious, and decent menu! Friendly servers, chill environment. Not sure how the bikes are associated to HOT ITALIAN but whatevs. Their appetizers are a real treat. My faves so far are: PIATTO DI SALUMI & FORMAGGI - a little bit of everything - cured meats, cheese, almonds, pizza crust dipped in olive oil - YUM! PROSCIUTTO E MELONE - Good portion of meat and thick slices of sweet, fresh cantaloupe! SO GOOD. I have only tried one type of pizza and can't seem to get enough of the Fiori. I grew up with round table/pizza hut/mountain mikes/etc, where there is a lot of cheese, lots of meat, and lotsof grease! Don't get it twisted - I still love me some pizza but eating the Fiori makes me feel like I'm eating a "HEALTHY" slice. =) Pizza is pizza and I'm sure it's got a lot of calories but I don't care - if you put arugula as part of my toppings, then I'm thinking that I'm eating salad. And as for their dessert - the pistachio and stracciatella gelato are BOMB! So glad you found a home in the bay and not just in Sacramento!
(4)Matt T.
Always delicious. I could eat here 24/7. Perfect pies every time. Best in the east-bay, have yet to find better.
(5)Jenna T.
Bomb ass thin crust pizza! The waiters are a little off but that's okay. Haha Went here with my friends to catch up and grub. Pizzas are 13 inches which sounded intimidating but not to worry- easily can finish half and pop in the left overs into the oven when you get home and it's still very good. (My friends and I didn't share cause we all have very different taste in food haha) I ordered one of the popular ones the waiter suggested. I can't remember the name of it but it was topped with prosciutto, mushrooms, and arugula. It was so good! I recommend using the chili infused olive oil and rosemary infused olive oil at the table- excellent additions in my opinion and a nice change from the standard chili flakes and extra Parmesan cheese sprinkle. And lastly what I mean when I say the waiters are a little off- two waiters got confused and both kept trying to help us and both were awkward in their own way. Haha one of them seemed extremely shy while the other one kept trying to hurry us out of there. Overall 4 stars for their delicious pizza. And I'd give their service 3 stars.
(4)Stephanie H.
Oh Hot Italian, you make me wanna lounge the day away eating your scrumptious thin-crust pies while washing it down with some good wine. When can I come back and experience this once in a lifetime food pleasure? I'm not a thin crust pizza gal, but after eating here for the first time this weekend, I am truly regular fan. I got the Gorgonzola and pear one with a Pellegrino and a salad of vinaigrette, fresh greens, and blood oranges. SO refreshing. If you ask me if I finished a whole pizza, the answer would be an astounding YES. I can't wait to do it again! I ordered my pizza and waited about 10-15 minutes before it was ready. Fast. Modern decor kept my eyes scanning and the variety of wines available taunted my senses to want to come back on date night. I did catch the gelato and sorbetto section next to the bar--a huge plus and add on to my already high praises of this joint. Oh and did you know they sell bike gear and paninis too? SOLD.
(5)Meridith L.
I drove by Hot Italian today and turned around to try it for lunch. Definitely a new restaurant, but it has tons of potential! Dining mostly in Berkeley, the prices are surprisingly refreshing: about $3-$6 cheaper than comparable Berkeley fare. The ambience is good with a minimalist Italian flare and soccer matches on multiple screens. The menu is impressive, with tons of salads, pizzas, paninis, and calczones to choose from. The wine and beer menu has good options but not much of a selection. I had the Panini Magnini (smoked salmon and marscapone) and 2 glasses of the Soave. Overall the food, drinks, and ambience were good; and the service was pleasant but slow. The entrance is confusing with multiple doors, no host/ess, and service counters and the bar lining the walls...had to ask if I was to seat myself. I enjoyed my lunch and the ambience. I will definitely be going back here and will be watching in hopes kinks get worked out and I can give them 5 stars.
(4)Paula L.
I love Hot Italian. Since they opened in Sacramento, I have been waiting anxiously for their debut in the bay area. The pizza is delicious and authentic. The place is modern and comfortable. The servers are friendly and efficient. What more could you ask for? Try it!
(5)Sheri C.
Hot Italian just wasn't for me, at all! My son (adult) & I thought we would give it a try before going to a movie. After seeing the positive reviews we thought it would be really great however I was a bit disappointed. We both had pizza (pretty much what's on the menu) & they were just o.k., not great by any means & a bit oily. $50 including tip for food only at lunch seemed a bit high. Maybe just an off day for the place, however with so many great places in the area too try I think I will just pass on Hot Italian in the future.
(2)William H.
My wife is vegetarian, I'm not. I usually have to compromise for some tasteless mush on crust so we don't have to order separately. But in this case, I think I have found my new favorite pizza. We dropped into Hot Italian since the folks next door were already cleaning up their mass produced plates of noodles, meat, and rice. We were hungry and it was getting late, so this upbeat place with the great smell was inviting. Our server recommended the Basso as a veggie favorite. When it came out, I hit it with a shot of the picante oil (no crushed red peppers here). Wow, it was a mouthful of full on flavor like you'd expect from a pepperoni pizza. I backed it up with a grapefruit Pelligrini and was easily satisfied with my four slices. Maybe if there was a little more ambiance and better lighting, I'd give it a full five stars. But, I will return there again most anytime I'm around Emeryville. Great place.
(4)Bayarea K.
Pizza wasn't bad but wasn't the best either. Cons: no red pepper flakes!!!!
(3)Marc F.
Walked in for lunch thinking that a "Hot Italian" place would offer a meatball sandwich.... but no, that's not on the menu. So I order the caprese pannino with prosciutto. I waited and waited. I'm patient because you don't want a pannino to come out too quickly because it won't be crisp and melted through. You cut the ciabatta, assemble the sandwich, and put it in the press until the cheese runs out. Simple, right? But then I saw people who had ordered pizzas after me were getting their food! Finally my food came out and it all became clear. Hot Italian is not actually serving pannini. It's just a pizza folded in half and cut like a sandwich. It's not a crispy ciabatta or foccacia roll cooked in a press, it's just pizza dough cooked flat and then folded over. And my 'sandwich' didn't contain prosciutto de parma, it was black forest ham and the advertised parmesan reggiano was not present. So Hot Italian was a complete and total failure with respect to the food. The service at the bar was prompt, friendly, and fine but that didn't make up for the train wreck on the food.
(1)Nicole W.
Fun, hip place with a cool vibe. Great location - walking distance to UA Emery Bay 10 and other stores near the Marketplace and Powell Street. Ample seating and friendly staff. The pizza is delicious. Caprese salad to start, which, aside from being a little heavy on the herbs and light on the mozzarella was very satisfying. Highly, highly recommend the Materazzi pizza. Sans olives, it was melt-in-your-mouth wonderful. The crust is thin but not too crispy, and not too chewy; and the cheese is amazing. Some of the best pizza I've had in the area so far. To top it all off and quench my thirst, the Vigorelli Lemonade. The limoncello and mint are very refreshing compliments and only $6! Pizza, salad and drinks for two ~ $40. Just wish I'd had room for the gelato so I guess I'll have to go back!
(4)Susan M.
We love this place - great concept of sharing long tables, sports TV on the wall, cheerful and attentive servers, and great food! Their #1 seller is the Fiori pizza (#25) and it has arugula, prosciutto, mushrooms, and truffle oil. Great combo! We ordered 2 pizzas and a salad for the 3 of us and still took home some leftovers for $41, no drinks.
(5)Valerie C.
Pizza was ok, nothing really "wow-ed" me. I've had better.
(3)Lisa W.
Great pizza great service. Everything else in the public market looked kind of dicey, glad we chose this place! Great pizza and the service was excellent. Skip the Swedish meatballs at IKEA and head for the Hot Italian!
(4)Amanda B.
The food here surprised us by tasting way more "artisanal" and less "corporate" than the location suggests. Service was professional and friendly. Atmosphere is uptempo, casual, good for either a twosome or a group. The freebie pizza crust bread treats have something highly addictive sprinkled on them. I've learned not to show up at home without some leftovers in a box! All in all, a great experience.
(4)Sarah K.
Good local spot for pizza and a beer (though takeout from Rotten City Pizza is better). There are big long tables, so it's a great spot for groups. The pizza is good (not quite amazing), the salads are good (don't order them to go - I don't know what happens, but you end up with four pieces of soft lettuce), and best of all the gelato is delicious. For Emeryville, it's definitely a good spot.
(4)Ourania C.
This was a great disappointment. Bad service. Pizza was okay but the frittata was uneatable. Raw egg dripping all over the plate, 3 leaves of spinach and 4 mushrooms. And do they wash their dishes. I don't think so . An overwhelming odor from my water glass almost made me sick. I will never go there again!!!!!!!!!!
(1)MC L.
After a long day in the city, my girls and I went here for dinner. Great service and food. I got the smoked salmon/mascarpone/dill thin-crust pizza. They also have these chili pepper and rosemary infused olive oil to put on your entree. WOW. And their dark chocolate and mascarpone gelato. WOW. Everything was pretty much... awesome.
(5)Ayanna B.
This review is for the takeout gelato service only.... My daughters and I loved coming to the Public Market for dinner and ice cream and were so upset when the place was reconstructed and the ice cream place was GONE. So imagine how excited we were to learn that Hot Italian serves gelato right next door - perfect for us as we usually eat in the car on the way home. We have been here twice after enjoying dinner at the market. I did not post after the first time because I wanted to give the server/bartender the benefit of the doubt. The service here (perhaps just the bartender as he is the one responsible for serving the gelato?) sucks. It seems like it's just an incredible pain for him to serve gelato as part of his job. He has been unfriendly the two times we have beeen here. The gelato case is right smack in the front door when you walk in - I assume this is for passersby like myself, not just for diners in the restaurant. If they are interested in having people stop in for gelato - and perhaps consider having a meal here at a later date - it would seem the gelato takeout service SHOULD be better. It doesn't help that the teeny tiny scoop is over $3, which I wouldn't mind paying if the service were better. The bartender put my check, credit card, and pen IN A GLASS (?) on the part of the bar in this super narrow spot next to the gelato case, points to it, and walks away. I usually add a 10% tip to takeout orders, but left it blank because of the service. We'll probably go back because kids don't care about this kind of thing, but I will probably try to convince them to get smoothies inside the market instead.
(1)Scott Y.
This meal was surprising awesome. Pizza options were very shih shih in a good way. Great open table atmosphere, reasonable prices, and really great pizza and appetizers. They have a nice selection of cured meats as well that was highly enjoyable. Salads were great too.
(5)Rick B.
delicious espresso, pizza, and gelato! Good service, too...
(5)Anne R.
Hot Italian has become one of our favorite pizza/dinner spots in the area. The first time my boyfriend and I dined at Hot Italian it was after seeing a movie at the UA Emerybay 10 theater. We were both impressed that they stay open later than most of the pizza places near us. We decided to split the pesto pizza, #11 ligabue, and if we had been hungry, it probably would not have been enough food. Nowadays we both order our own pizzas and I usually have a few slices leftover to bring home. We also chose 2 scoops of gelato for dessert. We have come back to Hot Italian many times over the past few months. My favorite pizza is #46- gattuso with pumpkin puree, scamorza and mozzarella cheese, fresh parsley, sage oil. My boyfriend has raved about # 43casalegno, roasted yukon gold potatoes, crescenza cheese, pancetta ham, rosemary oil. If you're in the area I would definitely recommend stopping by Hot Italian and trying one of their inventive, delicious pizzas. The mix of toppings are creative and the crust is great (esp if you like thin crust). Hot Italian also offers pick-up service if you can't dine in.
(5)Nico S.
A place that doesn't have a liquor license yet I feel like I am sitting on patio funature, oh wait I am.... the bar seats don't have backs, the bar doesn't have a foot rest. Its a very uncomfortable place to eat.
(2)Tyler B.
We moved to the East Bay and came across this place by accident one day doing errands. I'm glad we did because it's now become one of our "go to" places. It's definitely one of the best (if not, the best) pizza place I've been to in the Bay area. It's always very fresh and light, not greasy, and we've tried several different pizzas and salads. The environment is fun and casual. We've always received great service and everyone we have ever dealt with has been incredibly friendly and accommodating. I'd definitely recommend it!
(5)Jill C.
Hailing from the East Coast, I consider great Italian food hard to come by out here. I've tried a fair share of pizza in the East Bay, but nothing like Hot Italians. They nailed it. Thin, perfectly crisped crust, excellent sauce that was neither too bland or too sweet, and great flavor combinations for the toppings. The chile and rosemary oil are unique offerings as condiments to spice up your pizza. I definitely intend to make a return visit and possibly try a calzone or panini. With the excellent service we received, this place has the makings for a happy customer!
(4)negar s.
Honestly it is about time that we get a real pizza joint- Not a crummy round table one- but one that is more kid friendly than Pizzaiolo but has creative fresh delicious food- not too mention GELATO! YUM! My kids love it, I love it- so good
(5)John S.
Went to Hot Italian for dinner last night and it's way overrrated. Had salad and two pizza. Salad was skimpy, pizza cold and flavors were- shall we say wierd. I didn't like the loud, chaotic ambience and the food was barely passable but uninspired.
(2)S G.
Just tried their pizza and salad, it was okay. Friendly staff though but food was just okay for the price. $14-$17 for a 13" thin crust pizza with not enough toppings. I will probably go there more often if they add more toppings on their pies.
(3)Hailey C.
This place is delish! Definitely the best place I know in the area for pizza. Loved the Izzo salad and Fiori pizza - be sure to add the special chili oil on top! Best to save room for the gelato while you're at it.
(5)Yao S.
Great spot to chill with your bike, complete with outdoor service and seating for you and yours. Fresh hot food on order and a nice selection of beers, cocktails, drinks, and soda to quench your thirst. Go there while the sun's still out and the weather still dry!
(4)Mary O.
Best tasting pizza in town!
(4)Thao T.
I usually go to the public market for lunch and hadn't heard very good things about Hot Italian. However, our friends wanted to meet up here for dinner, and it was surprisingly good. Reminded me of pizza antica in santana row if you are familiar. The salads were really tasty and the pizza was really good. It was also great for sharing or eating on your own, depending on how hungry you are, and the prices are reasonable. I like NY style thin crust more than deep dish, so this hit the spot if there is a bigger party.
(4)Kelly B.
Oh, Hot Italian. Why do you do this to me!! Why are you sooo good to me, and at the same time dangerously over satisfying!? I love Italians. Especially hot ones. But what's to love more than that, is great pizza paired with Italian beer. I've enjoyed Hot Italian twice first hand, and that's all that it took to hook me. I sent some New Yorkers here with discerning taste buds, and I'll say that they were dazzled enough to bring the family back just two nights later. I highly recommend the Murino, and no, don't save it for dessert! Savor the pear and honey right along side your usual savory flavors and you will not regret it. We also ordered the Piatte Di Salumi & Formaggi, and it was the best way to kick off the meal. Topped it off with a Peroni beer, and I was in heaven. My highest hope is that Hot Italian makes an impression on the Public Market and the area can get a little taste for tastier food and we'll all reap the benefits of yummier options on this side of Emeryville. Remember that parking is super easy here! Bonus!
(5)Megan M.
I just found a large black fly in my arugula salad. When I told the server he seemed unconcerned and unapologetic. When the manager came over to speak with me she said that these things happen because their letuce is organic. No appology just an explanation that it wasn't a big deal. Really? I wonder if the Health Department feels the same way about bugs in food. This experience makes me wonder what else is in the food and how much the management really cares about their customers. Disappointed.
(1)Jennifer T.
I've been here twice now. I really like their spinach salad and their pizza is ok. Not the best, not the worst. The second time I went I got a salumi and cheese plate. It was fine, however, the server didn't tell me what kind of cheese or salumi I was getting. Since I can't give half stars, I gave 3, but my real rating is 3.5. The main issue with the place is the service. While the servers are friendly, they are a bit slow. After ordering my drink, I said I needed another min to look at the menu. My server didn't come back for about 10 min. After we got our food, she checked on us, but then we didn't see her again. We had clearly finished our food and was just sitting there waiting to be checked on. A busser came by at one point and it seemed like he was about to ask if we needed anything else, but ended up just clearing our plates. We had to ask him for our server to get our check.
(3)Sheena S.
I heard good things about Hot Italian, but I was disappointed by the food, and more so, by the service. My experience at Hot Italian was by far the worst dining experience I have had in the bay area. First, we weren't sure if it was self-seating or not. Once we figured out that we needed to scramble and find our own seats, we found a space at one of the high top tables. Then we proceeded to wait not 5, not 10, but 15 minutes for a waiter to notice us, give us a menu, say hello, anything. We did not receive any service and by then I guess I should have known to leave. I wanted to try the food, so I went to the bar and asked the bartender if we could have a menu and/or waiter. He handed me menus and told me to come back to the bar to order. I would have expected him to get a waiter to our table ASAP...another bad sign. So I went back up to the bar to place my order. One of the waiters finally brought over our food, but disappeared again, no apologies, no explanation. The pizzas were a major disappointment. Flavorless, limp and not as interesting as the menu made them seen. I will not be going back.
(1)Giacomo F.
I was born and raised in Italy so I'm pretty biased when it comes to pizza. While I can appreciate NY and Chicago style pies, true pizza for me will always be the kind I could get at home. Hot Italian brings yummy, authentic Italian pizza to the Bay Area. I've been to the Sacramento location countless times, and I was so excited to hear they were opening just across the bridge. I went last weekend and was not disappointed: fresh ingredients, killer dough (durum wheat baby), lots of flair. Fabrizio is a top notch pizzaiolo and a nice guy to boot. Looking forward to a San Francisco location...please tell me it's happening! About portion size: one pizza is probably enough to feed ONE moderately hungry adult (just like in Italy). When my girl and I order two, we usually end up with a few leftover slices. The quality is stellar and, as with most things in life, you get what you pay for...this ain't Round Table, folks--you can actually taste the ingredients, which for the most part are locally sourced (or when necessary imported from Eat-aly). Favorite pizzas: Pezzo, Briatore, Fiori, Cannavaro, D'Alessio. I wouldn't bother with the salads, but hey, to each their own.
(5)Sylvester N.
Came here with a small group of friends for dinner. I got the piadini with salmon and mozarella. I've never had the combination before and was amazed by how good it was. Probably the best piadini I've ever had. Beer comes in nice pitchers and glasses. I didn't have a pizza but they looked good. I also got an americano which they do serve! Overall, 3.5 and not 4 stars because I thought the menu was a bit expensive for the amount of food you get. Maybe throw in some bread to start off with?
(3)Salvina B.
so i've been here enough to write this review. i like this place. the pizza is good (any of their pies with arugula or some sort of lettuce is rather amazing), the service is friendly, and it's fairly priced. i really enjoy their cheese and salumi plate as an appetizer (2-3 people)- and their salads are also very fresh and lightly dressed. my favorite pizza (and i forget the name of it, sorry!) has prosciutto, arugula, and truffle oil- to die for. i also really like the sausage pizza, and the rosemary oil that's at your table to dip the crust. they also have gelato! yum! and 'carafes' of beer. or a pitcher, as i like to order it ;)
(4)Scott B.
One of the better vegan-friendly pizza joints in the Bay Area, I just wish they would flaunt that a little more. Their use of quality ingredients and creative toppings is excellent. And while I'm very glad to know they have vegan sorbetto, I also happen to know their supplier offers vegan gelato (not an easy find) but sadly, Hot Italian does not carry it.
(4)N. R.
Very good pizza , excellent service . I'll return, but not too often because it's a bit pricey.
(4)Tiffany E.
Wasn't expecting much when we stumbled upon this place at the Emeryville Market. Seating is strange, ambiance is kinda blah but I was pleasantly surprised by the food. Pizza crust was flavorful and crisp, toppings were fresh and well-balanced. Ordered a great salad of mixed greens, olives and shaved fennel that was well dressed and a great accompaniment to our pizza. Cocktail list was lacking (ordered a mimosa that was just okay) but the wine/beer list was fine. Would go here again if in the neighborhood.
(4)krys s.
an elite yelp event got me here, and boy was i impressed! i admire their extensive menu and how creatively strategic each of the flavor palettes were. for example, the murino! it consists of seasonal pears, del rio farms honey, mozzarella, gorgonzola dolce cheese? who would have thought! my favorite was the fiori: prosciutto parma, mozzarella, mushrooms, tomato sauce, arugula, and bariani truffle oil. anything with truffle oil is a win for me. yum!
(4)Jones E.
Been to the one in Sac as well. Absolutely love this place and the vibe. They did a great job here. Great place to enjoy pizza and beer.
(4)Nia Q.
We went here for the first time last week. The service is great. Drinks SUCK! Pizza was OK, not horrible but not great. It was kind of soggy and not thin and crunchy. I like thin-crust pizza to be crispier and it was not crispy. I would recommend trying it out at least once.
(2)Suz L.
Thank you! It's great that I don't have to drive to Sac to get my favourite pizza! Hands down the best pizza in the bay. The crust is thin, crispy and yet a bit chewy and ingredients are fresh. Must try for any pizza lover!
(5)Rom D.
Now this is the place for real pizza. You'll get something tasty with knife and fork to eat with !
(5)Samantha S.
So good. The pizza is delicious, I'd definitely recommend the bellucci, it was amazing. I'm a big fan of the fiori too. If you're with a friend or two, try getting the salumi & formaggi plate as an appetizer, then split a pizza or two. The plate comes with pizza crust (kind of the same idea as pita bread at a mediterranean restaurant) that you can put all of the toppings on, and they've also got this delicious hot chili oil. I've got a pretty big appetite, and this was actually too much food for me, but so so good! Very well priced for the amount of food you get and the leftovers are great too!
(5)Henry C.
Hot Italian is a little to hip for me...pizza was okay at best. Ordered like 4 different pizzas i think 1 out of 4 was really good, others were ok to bad...FYI do not order the filet mignon pizza, its hella WACK (its a speciality pizza)...Don't see myself going back for pizza. Best thing about Hot Italian is the Large selection of gelato ice cream. The ferrero rocher gelato is good. Service was good.
(3)Mimo K.
Nice creative pizzas. Lofty warehouse atmosphere in a normal boring shopping center. Good unique beers. They also have a gelato bar if you want dessert afterwards.
(4)Kim H.
yum-yum for the tum-tum 2 adults and one 4-year old were in our party; we ordered the salumi plate, the pizza with mozzarella, marscapone, and ham, and the pizza with potatoes and prosciutto. Everything was delicious and nearly scarfed down (had to throw in the towel and bring food home as there was too much for our stomachs to handle despite a valiant effort). The atmosphere is casual with some hip. Sitting at one of the high tables by the windows was great for the view but got rough on the backs as there are no back supports on those stools. If you sit at the regular tables, you have to share with others. But it's all cool - people are there to eat pizza, drink some beer/wine/cocktails, and maybe watch a game - so all are pretty happy folk. This is definitely a good spot to go when in Emeryville where you are otherwise surrounded by uninspiring chain stores and restaurants .
(5)Ed P.
I had high expectations but was sadly disappointed. Simply put, you don't get what you pay for. We bought a few pizzas which were mediocre in taste (we've had better for less), paid our bill, and went next door to the Public Market and had a complete more satisfying meal at one of the many delicious food kiosks.
(2)Robert D.
Cool place clean and a nice menu.We ate outside and had a nice lunch.We had a calzone.
(4)Thomas E.
Wanted to try anew place for lunch. So suggested to my GF lets go to`Hot Italian. Was weary of going right after noon due to lunch crowd...but, it was nice and quite and not very busy. We tried the (99) Piatto Di Salumi & Formaggi. Cured meats, cheese, marinated olives, marcona almonds, seasonal fruit w/sliced pizza crust. Very good (loved the pepper olive oil to put on the pizza crust). My GF ordered a pizza-(25) Fiori Prosciutto parma, mozzarella, mushrooms, tomato sauce, arugula, bariani truffle oil. Im more a meat person so i liked it ok-just wouldnt have had the arugula on it for me! She really liked it though. I had a calzone-(07) pepperoni, olives, tomato sauce, mozzarella, fontina cheese. Delicious !!! Unlike any calzone ive had in size or shape before. Very large. Finished with a caramel salato & dark chocolate gelato - YUM So while waiting for our food and eating, saw what others where having too. Panini's looked very big and good, and salads looked wonderful. Service was excellent (Thks Eric)-attentive but not to much. Will be back to try other items on the menu soon-give it a try and you'll agree
(4)Chris A.
This place has suddenly been a new favorite hangout for me. Love the food, drinks, and desserts. Price is reasonable. WiFi available. What more can you ask for? Well maybe couches to make it a but more loungy... But it's damn near perfect. Glad I found this spot via Yelp!!! :)
(5)Marissa S.
Loved it, it was great!
(5)Jim M.
Good thin crust pizza with creative toppings, gelato bar, fun funky bicycle decor, and local pizza delivery within a 2 mile radius - by bicycle only :)
(4)Mina D.
Pretty good pizza. Thin and not greasy. We ordered pepperoni and olives and the pepperoni was spicy and tasty.
(3)Becca P.
Great service and pizza--what more could you ask for?
(5)Doug L.
Good food. Trendy pizza with stuff like fennel sausage and artichokes, but not bad!
(4)Mrs. M.
My boyfriend and I were in the mood for Pizza, and not a chain commercial type pizza so we looked up pizza joints in the area. He read off Hot Italian, so we decided to try it out. First off it is in an area which is pretty nice, new, and hip. We walked into Hot Italian and at first was a little confused by the place. It looked very modern, hip, clean... bikes on the wall, Black and white colors.... not the pizza joint you are thinking. So we ordered a pizza with pancetta, pepperoni and mushrooms. It came... it smelled amazing... but the flavors... WOW. The combination of the flavors on this pizza was great! every bite was awesome. Very little ingredients. but perfectly placed, and the pizza dough was great. So, go here. Its not going to be an "authentic looking" pizza place, but the food is to die for! Great job guys! :)
(5)Alan A.
Best thin crust pizza in the East Bay. It's so nice to have another independent restaurant in Emeryville instead of the usual generic chains with their soulless food for the masses. Also a great place for large groups as long as you don't try to hit them at lunchtime on a weekday. The office crowd keeps this place hopping during the work week. However come the weekend, you can generally find a seat for weekend brunch for you and your party.
(5)Gina W.
In reality this place should really get 2 stars but since they just opened up and are brand new, I'm hoping the 3rd star will increase to 5 one day. We went for lunch and the interior right when we walked in was a bit confusing, no hostess or waiter to seat you at the door and patrons aimlessly wandered around until someone noticed them. We got a table and the waiter was friendly and took our order right away. Then the wait began. Considering its all pizzas, sandwiches or calzones.. it seems like the food should come relatively fast. There seemed to be a lack of waiters or a lack of organization but our wait was long til our food came. I tried the potato pizza, was good but sounded more interesting than tasted. Calzones were impressive in size but mostly had a ton of cheese inside versus meat. Took another wait to get the attention of the waiter to get our bill and boxes for leftovers. I had high hopes for a neighborhood Italian joint besides CPK but for now.. I'll wait until the service is better.
(3)Morgan L.
Came here with my cousin right when they opened. We were the first of the day! The first thing I noticed about this place was the decor. Very classy and modern. I loved the black and the accent chairs at each table. The bicycles on the wall were visually appealing as well. We ordered very quickly because we'd been looking at the menu before the place opened. We got the smoked salmon pizza with dill, mozzarella, and marscapone. Our server's name was Eric, and he functioned more on the practical-side of serving (greet, ask for drinks, order, bring food, check back, bring the check...) nothing very snazzy about the service, but he got the job done well anyway. I liked that they gave us our own water carafe! The pizza came really quick and mm it was quite delicious! Never had salmon on a pizza before but it was yummo with added pepper and rosemary oil. OH! But the best past were the bathrooms! I walked into the private stall, which was teeny tiny room and contained only a toilet. I was confused for a mo until I looked behind me and saw the trough-style sink. Pretty snazzy! Is that how bathrooms are in Italy? Perhaps I'm just easily impressed but I loved it! Probably the only thing that could be improved was the seating. All the seating options were long tables, so if you were in a small party like me (2 people), you had to sit at a huge table with 6 other empty chairs. Oh well! I liked this place a lot.
(4)Danielle S.
While in the Bay Area for work I was super excited to try out the newest location of downtown Sacramento's Hot Italian! I phoned in my order for pickup since I needed to get some work done in my hotel room, and was pleasantly surprised at the open appearance and location of the new spot! It's located in a really cool area with tons of other restaurants and businesses. More of a community vs a stand alone business. The space is very open and brings the modern vibe of the original location. I walked up to the bartender who I had spoken to on the phone to pick up my Materazzi pizza which had the thin crust, sauce, pepperoni, olives with mozzarella and fontina cheeses melted on top. He offered me something to drink while I waited, nice touch! As I was waiting for the food to get packaged up he also offered some olive oil, napkins and utensils. Again, much appreciated! I couldn't help but noticed the gelato being served next to me, but somehow I managed to resist the temptation! I sped on down the street back to the hotel to devour what I knew would be a delicious feast and boy was I right! I love Hot Italian because one pizza equals two night's of dinners. Perfect for a busy girl on the go! The crust was crispy, the sauce wasn't overwhelming and the cheese was melted at just the right temperature to achieve the perfect cheese bridge from my mouth to the slice! I tend to take the Sacramento location for granted, but after this trip I think I will be rethinking that decision!
(4)Shirley P.
Very Nice! The pizza is great and the service was friendly and good. I had lunch and enjoyed the variety on the Menu. I did have to order a couple of pizzas and a salad for three people but it was very good and everyone enjoyed the gelato for a dessert at the end. Very yummy in deed! The place is clean and trendy with a black and white theme.
(4)Melody S.
I love the vibe at this place. The atmosphere is social - we sat at the bar but the rest of the tables are communal. The food is high quality and the prices are reasonable. The service was great. I'm happy to have found a fun local place and I'll definitely be back!
(5)Royce C.
Coming from the East Coast, I've found California pizza to be fairly lacking. No more! Hot Italian is by far the best pizza I've had in the Bay Area. The crust is amazing, the sauces are flavorful, the drinks are interestingly different and the service was great. I have a new favorite pizza place!
(4)Marie E.
Love the pizza & excellent customer service. I come here as often as my pocket book will allow. I want to try the brunch.
(4)Gina L.
Hot Italian has inspired me to write my first ever Yelp review. I've been a fan of the Sacramento location since it opened and am SO HAPPY that there's now one in Emeryville, much closer to my home! From the hip, modern esthetics and green design to the friendly and efficient staff to the delicious, authentic pizzas, panini, salads, cocktails, dessert pizzas and gelato, these two locations ROCK IT! Go now! I guarantee you won't be sorry, but you might become Hot Italian addict.
(4)Tito Y.
had second pizza...enjoyed some beer.... great..no surprises.
(5)Sebastien D.
Went here with my family and everyone loved it. The pizzas are amazing, great taste with a thin crust that compliments it well because it does not detract from the taste of the toppings. They have fresh food and toppings that can be prepared in panini style, calzone style, or pizza style and they have salads and appetizers. The deserts are also very good and amazing, and the atmosphere is great. This place does not break the bank, so there is really no reason to look elsewhere for good Italian Pizzas.
(5)Carmella B.
I went to the Hot Italian today to have pizza. Had never been there and wanted to try it for the first time. We were greeting by a nice waitress giving us the best water we had ever had. So the water was good we thought the pizza would be great as well. We order the #7 pizza and requested mushrooms to be added. The pizza was $14 on the menu and $2 for mushrooms. I had no problem with that. The pizza came and it didn't have the mushrooms added so I asked the waitress to take that off the bill. The pizza was so thin you could see through it and the bottom was burnt I mean black burnt between the burnt pizza and the hot pep. on the pizza all I could taste was the burnt pie. We were hungry so we starting eating but started taking off the burnt pieces. We had more burnt that than we ate. We let the wait staff know and they were willing to cook another one but we just wanted to leave and go home. They gave us some ice cream to make up for the pizza which was nice but when I got the bill they over charged me for the pizza. So I paid $15 for the burnt pie plus I left a tip because the wait staff were nice and they shouldn't lose a tip because the cook can't watch the time he as to cook a pizza. It wasn't busy there were maybe 4 tables of people at 11:30 and they couldn't get my pizza right and then overcharged me. If you want to go for pizza save your money and go somewhere else.
(2)B C.
I stopped in for a scoop of gelato after a visit to Public Market. Very reasonably priced and perfect sized dessert! I had the dark chocolate which was fantastic. I love that they have bike parking AND a dog friendly patio (there's even a water bowl)!
(5)varun c.
Amazingly bad service. Left after waiting for 35 minutes for a pizza and then being told that it would take another 15 minutes. That too when it was not very busy.
(1)Christopher S.
Yelp claims this restaurant is open until 11:00pm, however we went by on a Friday and Sat nights around 10pm and they were closed. Don't trust the hours on Yelp.
(3)Jessica M.
Way too expensive for the little amount of food you get. I spent $17 for a calzone that was mainly bread. It had very little stuffing in it. It was not filling at all (It was the size of 2 Costco slices of pizza). And the taste was nothing amazing. Oh well, you live and you learn. I will stick with Zachary's Pizza from now on- they are expensive, but at least you get a nice amount of pizza.
(2)Tracy J.
Hot Italian is now my favorite pizza place!! The Zambrotta on the pizza crust is out of this world.
(5)Rafael R.
Surprisingly fresh and delicious. Their calzones are out of this world. Great place to have fun. Very nicely decorated and lighted. Very open and the service was better than i expected. Will come back for pizza.
(5)Jeremy H.
My God. This place has totally blown me away! The gelato is PERFECT, The Citterio panini tasted heavenly and had the right amount of each ingredient(mozzarella, ham, spinach, and parmigiano cheese). I know I'm coming back to try everything on the menu!
(5)Nick C.
I know Emeryville only has a few great places to eat, so we should be happy anytime a restaurant opens up here, but still this place just isn't worth it. This is mostly due to the service. It isn't clear if you seat yourself or not, then the servers seem to think you need to approach them for service. This has happened every time we've been there. Pizza is meh, Gelato is overpriced, icy, and sort of artificial tasting. If you're on foot, and your ankle is sprained, go here, otherwise look elsewhere.
(2)Arthur H.
I had the distinct pleasure to visit Hot Italian. The service was attentive and quick to take our order. As a minimalist when it comes to my food, I was glad to be persuaded to add pepperoni to my cannavaro pizza (cheese, tomato sauce and basil). The pepperoni was superb quality with a peppered flavor; not in anyway comparable to the imitation pepperoni by American pizza chains. The basil gave it a refreshing seasoning that complements the pizza. Despite the complaints of the crust being soggy, I had no such issues. My pizza was cooked so that it was pleasantly crispy. I shall return again, very soon.
(5)Mia C.
my original moments-after-the fact review on the corporate facebook page read as follows, "hot mess! at least in Emeryville. if my visit today had been a mystery shop they would have failed. all i wanted was gelato, not a healthy serving of pretty boy attitude from the barkeep! don't argue with the customer if (a) they are Italian and (b.) you don't know that nutella is a hazelnut chocolate spread, so even if it's gelateria NAIA's it still not a substitute for nocciola gelato! it's gonna take a lot of goodwill on my part to make it past the "asporto" window next time!" to the credit of the administrator (possibly even one of the hot italians/semi-italians behind the newbie chain), i got an almost immediate response and an invitation to accept a free pizza on them and give them a chance at redemption. classy and proper! two days later, 10 minutes after opening for the lunch crowd, i bypass the "asporto" (take-away) station in favor of a quiet family-style long low-top and subtly (not!) open up my laptop to the hot italian facebook page and my strand of comments. i inform my friendly (but not obsequious) waiter Eric that I am there to enjoy a pizza with a side of "special circumstances!" he looks puzzled and after my brief explanation of said circumstances, his body languages seems to reflect the imaginary 2 tons of pizza dough i have apparently dropped onto his shoulders! to his credit neither his voice or his verbiage betray his "crap, why me" mental dialogue. bravo! i order a "pezzo" pizza with speck and mascarpone - with an addition of fresh arugola on top- which arrives in an appropriate time frame thin, hot and crispy. the ice water with lemon flowed freely and complimented the salty-sweet-crunchy-grassy combo of the pizza. disclaimer: i did have to sprinkle salt on the pizza, which despite the savory meat, seemed to lack actual salt in the dough. enjoyed dipping the crust into a pool of house-made rosemary-infused EVOO (i suspect the base what the Bay Area's own Bariani olive oil) on my pizza peel plate, perfect lunch + people watching ('cause lets face it, the staff is HOT!) + italian soundtrack transporting me back to my native land. ordered a small salumi & formaggi plate to go, which was by far the most beautiful take-out meal i have ever purchased. greens, perfect orange wedges, plump blueberries, tasty green olives and a perfect combo of italian meats and cheeses in one box + a second box of a whole sectioned plain pizza perfectly seasoned with oil, herbs and (yes) salt. enough for a nice lite dinner for two. redemption. e bravi hot italiani!
(4)Brent A.
its a step up from the food market next door.
(4)tme s.
Just left an amazing dinner here with my friends and what a night! The service was impeccable and the variety of options they have on the menu was perfect for the whole crowd. We ordered 8-9 different things for the table and every single one was as good as the next! I can't wait to come back here soon!
(5)