Verrazzano Pizza — Restaurant in Half Moon Bay

Pizza was great, but bear with me as I try my best to explain WHY I liked Verrazzano pizza:

Zano was born and raised in New York City, in a small pizzeria owned by his parents. They worked hard to make their pizzeria a success, and they taught Zano everything they knew about making pizza. But Zano wanted something else. He wanted to see the world beyond the busy streets of New York. He wanted to live his own life, not the one his parents had planned for him. And so, he packed a backpack with some clothes, some money, and some pizza slices, and he boarded a bus to San Francisco.

Verra was a beautiful girl with long blonde hair and bright green eyes. She worked at her parents wine shop in the city center, where she sold bottles of wine from all over town. But she wanted to see the world beyond the hills of San Francisco. She wanted to live her own life, not the one her parents had planned for her.

And so, when she met Zano at a park near her shop, she felt an instant connection.

They fell in love. They decided to run away together. They rented a small apartment near the bay, where they lived happily for a while. They shared their passions: pizza and wine. They made each other laugh: jokes and stories. They made each other happy: kisses and hugs. They got married. They had a child. A boy named Leo. They were a happy family. For a while.

Something changed. Zano changed. He became too obsessed with wine. He drank more and more of it every day. He spent more and more money on it every week. He cared more and more about it every month. And he cared less and less about his family every year.

Verra tried to help him. But nothing worked. Zano didn't want to be helped. He had no interest in talking or reasoning or being supported or being loved. He only wanted wine. And so Verra left him.

It was a bleak and stormy night, when Zano received a phone call from an unknown person. The person told him that Verra and Leo had been in a car collision, that they had been struck by a drunk driver, that they were in grave condition, that he had to come immediately. He boarded a plane to New York City. In New York, he saw them. He saw them lying in hospital beds, wrapped in bandages and tubes and wires. He saw them pallid and motionless and lifeless. He saw them dead.

Zano arrived too late. He could not bid them farewell. He could only weep for them. He wept for Verra, his wife, his love, his fate. He wept for Leo, his son, his delight, his pride. He wept for himself, his life, his blunders, his loss. He wept until he had no tears left. Then he drank until he had no wine left.

He blacked out from the agony and the alcohol and the grief. He was discovered by a nurse who called for assistance. But death did not come. Life did. And life was harsh. Life gave him anguish. Life gave him guilt. Life gave him regret. Life gave him solitude. Life gave him nothing but misery. And life took away everything but pizza.

Pizza was the only thing that remained from his past. Pizza was the only thing that reminded him of his parents. Pizza was the only thing that connected him to his family. Pizza was the only thing that gave him some consolation. Pizza was the only thing that kept him alive. And so Zano did something that was both foolish and brave. He decided to live. He decided to live for pizza.

He decided to make pizza again. He rented a small shop near the park where he met Verra, where they were happy once upon a time. He named it Verrazzano's Pizzeria, after Verra. He made pizza every day, using his parents' recipe, using the finest ingredients, using all his love and skill and passion. He made pizza for himself, he made pizza for others, for anyone who desired a slice of joy or consolation or nostalgia or sorrow or anything else that pizza can offer. Because pizza is life.

4/5 because Im from outside Bay Area where...

Title: A Slice of Heaven in Half Moon Bay

Review:

Tucked away in a cozy spot at 20 Stone Pine Rd, Verrazzano Pizza is a local gem that you simply can't pass up when you're in Half Moon Bay. This isn't just another pizza place; it's an experience that leaves you craving for more.

Upon entering, you're greeted with the comforting aroma of freshly baked dough and melting cheese that instantly makes your mouth water. The interior is intimate but doesn't feel cramped, offering a warm atmosphere perfect for both casual dinners and special occasions.

The menu offers a delightful range of pizzas, and it's clear that they're crafted with high-quality ingredients and an attention to detail. Each slice is a perfect balance of flavors, from the tangy tomato sauce to the creamy, melted cheese and well-seasoned toppings. And it's not just the pizza that's worth mentioning; their pasta dishes, salads, and appetizers are equally impressive, making it a full dining experience rather than a one-note pizzeria.

The staff here is friendly and attentive without being intrusive, which adds to the overall excellent experience. Orders are prepared promptly, so you're not left waiting too long for your delicious meal.

To sum it up, Verrazzano Pizza offers a dining experience that's nothing short of exceptional. Whether you're a local or a visitor to Half Moon Bay, do yourself a favor and treat yourself to a meal...

I've craved a good NY style pizza for years here in Cali and recently had some when I was back in New England and was sad thinking it would take another year or so before I'd have some more but was SO happy to try some of this and it was SO good! It was perfectly crispy at the bottom and the sauce is exactly what I think of when I think of NY style pizza (went to college on Long Island so I really know what NY pizza is like lol). Even more amazing is they felt they over heated my slice so they didn't even try to give that to me and just apologized for it taking a bit longer but wanted to give me a good slice! Love that level of quality control ❤️ we WILL be back! I especially love that the prices are very reasonable for the bay area!

Update: we did come back and it's just as good, if not better than I remember! It's perfectly crispy, the sauce is exactly how I have tasted NY pizza while in NY for college, and my son ate almost a whole piece by himself, despite it being close to the size of his head 🤣 do yourself the favor and come have some...