Mucca Pizzeria — Restaurant in Portland

In the labyrinthine streets of Portland, Oregon, where the scent of adventure mingles with the whispers of intrigue, there exists a culinary sanctuary known to initiates as Mecca Pizzeria. As a scion of the Gentile Society, an intrepid adventurer, and a connoisseur of fine cuisine and finer company, I embarked upon a quest to uncover the secrets of this esteemed establishment.

From the moment I crossed the threshold of Mecca Pizzeria, I was transported to a realm of sensory splendor. The air hummed with the crackle of flames and the tantalizing aroma of wood-fired pizza, stirring memories long dormant within my soul. It was as if I had been whisked away to the sun-drenched hills of Tuscany, where as a young boy, I frolicked amidst the olive groves and vineyards, and where my dear grandmother would regale me with tales of her culinary prowess.

As I settled into my seat, my eyes alighted upon the menu, a veritable symphony of pizza perfection. And there was my Chinese chef wandering over here from next-door, giving Ted bits of advice, no doubt. Yet, it was not the Neapolitan or Roman styles that beckoned to me, but rather a curious creation known simply as "Nonna's Hearth." The cook, a wily Roman with a twinkle in his eye, assured me that while the recipe hailed from his native land, the pizza itself was a testament to the fusion of tradition and innovation.

With a sense of anticipation rivaling that of a young swain awaiting his paramour's embrace, I ordered the Nonna's Hearth pizza, eager to taste the echoes of my childhood memories. As the first bite caressed my lips, I was transported back in time, to a simpler era when life revolved around family, food, and the pursuit of adventure.

Each bite of the Nonna's Hearth pizza was a revelation, a symphony of flavors that danced upon my palate like a lover's gentle touch. The crust, crisp and golden, yielded beneath the weight of my teeth, giving way to a tender interior redolent with the smoky essence of the wood-fired oven. The toppings, a melange of fresh ingredients sourced from the bountiful fields of Oregon, harmonized with the rich tomato sauce and creamy mozzarella cheese to create a culinary masterpiece worthy of the most discerning palate.

But it was not merely the taste of the pizza that captivated me, but the memories it evoked of lazy summer afternoons spent in the company of my beloved grandmother. I could almost hear her laughter echoing in the air, mingling with the clatter of dishes and the chatter of fellow diners. In that moment, I was not merely a member of the Gentile Society, nor an adventurer or scoundrel, but a young boy once more, lost in the magic of a bygone era.

As I savored the last crumbs of the Nonna's Hearth pizza, I knew that I had discovered a hidden gem amidst the bustling streets of Portland. Mecca Pizzeria was not merely a restaurant, but a sanctuary for the soul, a place where the past and present converged in a kaleidoscope of flavor and memory. And as I bid farewell to the cook, whose eyes twinkled with mischief and warmth, I knew that I would return again and again, to bask in the glow of Nonna's Hearth and the embrace of a culinary tradition as timeless as the...

Ok. Wife and I are true pizza lovers and like to try new places whenever we can but always have our favorites… Mucca is now on that list! Atmosphere of the restaurant is great, pizzaiolo is right there and you can see it and smell it from your table. Upon arrival, we were greeted and the waiter took us to our table. Water was served, the specials were presented and we had a couple of minutes to decide what we wanted. Order was a classic Supplì, a Cacio e Pepe Supplì and a special one with truffle. For the pizzas we went with the special truffle pizza and a classic Margherita. We didn’t get pictures of the Supplì as it didn’t last long on the plate. They were good but the favorite was the classic. The special one could have a tiny bit more salt to break the sweet in the salsiccia which was maybe fennel?! Now to the pizzas… Check those pictures! The dough was just amazing, crisp, thin and charred exactly how it should be. The ingredients used are the best quality and you can really feel a piece of Italy in every bite! The sauce on the Margherita was truly delicious and you could taste how fresh were the tomatoes making it! Basil and mozzarella were just as good! The truffle pizza was everything you would expect for a special pizza. Well balanced, good combination of salsiccia and truffle with cheese. Truffle here is the real deal and not just some truffle oil sprinkled on top of it after it’s done. We can definitely say we will be back and will also try the Osteria on our next visit! For dessert, we got Pistacchio and Gianduia gelatos and they followed everything else we tried. True to its flavors and delicious! Not a lot of options but enough options to make you want to go back. Now for the service… It started great, quick and attentive but it lost a little of it through the visit. After we were done with the pizzas it took a while to get the dessert menus and then a little while to get the check but not a deal breaker. One note I would say is, for the specials, I would encourage them to give a heads up about pricing. Yes, we know it is truffle and we would have ordered it regardless as that was exactly what we were there for, but when an item’s price tag is at least 125% more than any other pizzas on the menu, that will probably avoid an...

While visiting PDX from Central Oregon, husband chose this location due to its closeness to Crafty Wonderland (my favorite store, 14 years' strong!) and the restaurant's high ratings. It did NOT disappoint!

He and I split the Pear Salad and a Margherita pizza. Oh my deliciousness. I didn't want the Pear Salad to end. The crunchy, fresh walnuts, generous gorgonzola, and ripe thin strips of pears lay on the freshest bed of mixed greens - I am snob for fresh greens and can tell if they are starting to turn or aren't good quality. Top marks! Everything was perfectly balanced and blended. He and I easily split the salad (it's a huge portion) and were both pleasantly surprised at how packed it was with a memorable flavor combo. Now...how to recreate it at home until I can return ... ?

The pizza was the ideal blend of flavors and textures. The thin basil strips packed a major punch atop the fresh tomato sauce and olive oil drizzle. Cheese was generous but not overwhelming. What is most memorable about the pizza was the perfect crust - how do they manage to make a crust that is both soft and spongey AND flaky and crispy?

Service and ambiance was chill. The server (a shorter dark-haired young woman) worked that entire packed restaurant masterfully and had a professional yet no-nonsense rapport with her team in the back of the house. I love how it feels like you're sitting IN the kitchen, so close to where your food is being prepped.

This place is absolutely on my list for future return visits. I wish their tiramisu wasn't made with coffee liqueur but only espresso; other than that, the visit was stellar. I would have totally indulged as that's my favorite dessert and very hard to find. In fact, this place was calibrating - it raised my bar of what a "5 star" means in my reviews.

Last sidebar - I couldn't believe it when I went to the restroom and saw another "wing" to the restaurant. I asked an employee what that was over there and he said, "That's our fine dining portion that is closed right now but will be open tonight." I was floored - service and food was so good that I thought I WAS in the fine dining wing. Another reason to return to try the evening menu.

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