Italian New Year's Eve Traditions

Join us at Bridge Street for a taste of a traditional Italian New Year's Eve dish - Cotechino. Alex is making Cotechino (koteˈkino)- a spiced sausage. Cotechino dates to the early 16th century. Pork symbolizes the richness of life in the coming year!

As with many traditional foods, each region of Italy has slight variations - cotechino can be served with lentils, mashed potatoes, braised cabbage or polenta.

At PPS, we're hooked on polenta. We're serving our cotechino with polenta and a bit of red pepper caponata.

Our favorite Italian New Year's Eve custom? Don't forget to wear your red underwear while toasting with prosecco to ring in the New Year! They say it'll bring you good luck.

Felice Anno Nuovo!

A Treat at Bridge Street

You're out and about this week - visiting with friends and family, taking advantage of the Boxing Week Sales. Stop by Bridge Street for a free drip coffee, hot tea or hot chocolate, our treat! We're open from 11a to 9p Tuesday-Friday this week.

PPS Crew sports PPS gear

We figured you might be wondering exactly how the newest PPS tee looks. Carlee, Alex and Greg were willing to help. Carlee sports the newest tee (truck with Black Beauty aflame) while Alex and Greg model the bandanna (works as a kerchief too). Pretty stylish crew!

Prima Strada Gift Combo

Looking for that special gift for the pizza lover in your life? We suggest the Prima Strada Gift Combo: a PPS t-shirt and your favorite pizza! Dare we say it? It's a smoking deal!

Island Artisans - Wood-burning Ovens!

Don Genova includes Prima Strada in his discussion with All Points West host Jo-Ann Roberts on the rise in popularity of the wood-burning oven.

Listen online at CBC.ca or read the full article on Don Genova's blog.

For all of you that might like to ogle over some really cool handmade oven concepts and plans here is a great resource site to browse.

Win a trip to Vegas from Zagat

Take a picture of a Zagat-Rated sticker or plaque, upload it at http://zagatphotos.com/ and be entered to win a trip to the Wynn in Las Vegas!

Of course, we want to help you WIN, so here's a photo suggestion: take a picture of the Zagat sticker on the door of Prima Strada Cook Street or the plaque on the wall at Prima Strada Bridge Street.

Buona Fortuna!

Prima Profile #3

Pizzeria Prima Strada Primo Pizzaiolo / Executive Chef Matt Veillette has worked across Canada, Europe, New Zealand and Australia. After graduating from the Cordon Bleu in Ottawa, he apprenticed with chefs in Holland, France and Spain. Arriving at PPS via Quebec, Matt was attracted to Vancouver Island because of the long growing season and abundance of local produce available. He also really likes pizza.
Q. How long have you been with Prima Strada?
A. 1 year

Q. Where is your hometown?
A. Ottawa

Q. What's your favorite restaurant/food item in your home town?
A. Anything from my grandmas' house. It's not a restaurant but I crave it all the time.

Q. What's your favorite pizza?
A. Marinara...so simple...so good.

Q. What's your ultimate comfort food?
A. Tortos, at my grandma's house.

Q. Current favorite wine/beer or drink?
A. Driftwood Ale

Q. If you could go to one place for a week all expenses paid, where would you go?
A. Barcelona

Q. Best part of being with Prima Strada?
A. I get to eat the best pizza in town, whenever I want.

photo: Matt starts the fire in Black Beauty at Feast of Fields 2010

Eat Pray Love Pizza

Watch Julia Robert's character in Eat Pray Love enjoy a margherita pizza at the great Da Michele in Naples, Italy. Then bring your ticket stub from the movie to enjoy your own margherita pizza and glass of wine for just $16 at Pizzeria Prima Strada Bridge Street.

To experience your very own "relationship" with your pizza, bring this coupon or show on phone. Fantastico!

Il Caffe

After a young maiden led thirsty soldiers to refreshment at a clear spring in the hills beyond ancient Rome, the prized Aqua Virgo (virgin water) was harnessed and pumped through aqueducts to supply the newly erected Pantheon. This supports the claim that the best coffee in Rome-or Italy for that matter- is to be found in the bars of this neighborhood, where the faucets still run with the same precious water.

In Victoria, Prima Strada lays the claim to the best coffee on the island along with Drumroaster (our supplier) in Cowichan Bay. The Drumroaster imports fair-trade coffee directly from small harvest farms in South America and Africa. The aroma and taste is a feast for the senses.

Biciclette in Italia e Victoria

The Italians seem to be in love with bicycling. Just take one look on a Saturday or Sunday on the Via Cristoforo Columbo loop out of Rome to Ostia and back. Custom bikes from all over Italy pack the road.

But most Italians haven’t been to Victoria where, indeed, biking seems to be even more prevalent. And you’ll never find the Galloping Goose or Lochside trails in Rome.

And guess what? This year, in the world’s marquee bike race, the Tour de France, Victoria’s own Ryder Hesjedal finished in 7^th place. Not only is this an amazing athletic feat in itself, but he placed higher than any Italian.

So when your ride on the Goose is coming to an end and you need that protein for recovery – or even for a cup of coffee before you clip in- take the quick jog off the trail to Pizzeria Prima Strada on Bridge Street. Enjoy the Italian food and ambiance, but drink a toast to Ryder. The Italians will be jealous.

Fringe Fest begins August 26

Fringe Fest is an 11 day juried international theater festival featuring 40 comedy, drama, dance & spoken word companies from around the world! Haven’t been to the Fringe before? Don’t worry! The hardest part is choosing what you want to see.

One of our favorite events? FringeKids (August 28) - a completely free one-day family festival with live entertainment, music, Fringe Faeries, craft activities, face painting, the life-sized Cardboard Castle for small artists to paint and an inflatable bouncy bunny! Families are encouraged to bring new school supplies to donate to the Single Parent Resource Centre. Mark your calendar!

As a Fringe Friend, you'll receive 15% off @ PPS Bridge Street. Stop by after the show with your Fringe Visa to receive your discount.

Begin Fringing now! http://victoriafringe.wordpress.com/

Prima Profile #2

Tomoko Inoue is passionate about Southern Italian food, but mostly about pizza. Tomoko has travelled the world, eating pizza. Yep, a woman to be admired and respected! While studying English in Canada, she discovered our call for talent on craigslist. She sent us a note and a You Tube link! We knew who she was immediately when she arrived at Cook Street! Sunday, August 4, a memorable date indeed. After making a few calls, completing a few forms, she officially came to work with PPS!

Q. How long have you been with Prima Strada?
A. About 2 years

Q. Where is your hometown?
A. Kanagawa(near Tokyo), Japan


Q. What's your favorite restaurant/food item in your home town?
A. Fresh soba (buckwheat noodle) at Nagoya & Aburi toro at Tama sushi

Q. What is your favorite pie?
A. I want to say my favorite is the perfect crust, not about toppings on Neapolitan pizza! When the cornicione is beautiful with lots of air bubbles charred, I feel so happy.

Q. What's your ultimate comfort food?
A. My mom's tempura or a cinnamon bagel

Q. Current favorite wine/beer or drink?
A. I ostensibly quit drinking 18months ago... but the beautiful summer makes me enjoy patio sippers:> like rose wines (Averill Creek, Prospect winery etc..), homemade sangria, frozen plum sake..

Q. If you could go one place for a week all expenses paid, where would you go?
A. Bora-Bora Island, Tahiti. I would fly in the business class, of course. I'd like to stay in an overwater bungalow, just relax getting massage at spa everyday...

Q. Best part about being with Prima Strada?
A. Making Neapolitan pizza in Canada, this is a great part in my life. I was supposed to work only for a while, but am still being here:> Which is because people are very kind to me. And I can experience a lot of things as making dough, working for the mobile oven, using ingredients which I haven't seen in Japan. Thanks team PPS!

photo - Tomoko at work at PPS Bridge Street, credit - Deddeda Stemler

The only thing missing...is YOU!

Although it feels like summer has just arrived, it will be gone before you know it. Now is the time to start thinking about seasonal parties at Pizzeria Prima Strada Bridge Street. Be it a smaller reservation for you and your office mates or a no holds barred, dual pizza oven bonanza, we are looking forward to celebrating the (coming sooner than you think) season with you. Call Andrew today to book your event at 250-590-4388 or email at andrew@primastrada.com

Free B 2010 - Movies Under the Stars

If you haven't yet expereinced movies under the stars, it's not too late. Celebrating its 10th Anniversary, the Victoria Film Festival has a great line up of fliks and has added Centennial Square as a second venue (the first is Cameron Bandshell @ Beacon Hill Park).

Gamera the Invincible, Pink Panther, The Thin Man - what are you waiting for? We suggest you stop by Pizzeria Prima Strada Bridge or Cook Streets for your dinner on your way to the movie. We'll even lend you a picnic cloth.

For more info, visit

http://www.freebfilmfest.com/

Buon Due Anniversario Prima Strada

Wednesday August 4th marks the 2nd anniversary of PPS Cook Street. Channel your inner Italian & Canadian and say, "Due Eh" for two.

Stop by Cook Street on Wednesday, wish us Buon Due Anniversario and we'll toast together with a prosecco cocktail. Bravo!

Prima Profile

We've got a great team and they are a big part of what makes Pizzeria Prima Strada special.Over the coming months, we'll ask a few questions of our crew and share the answers with you. Do you have a question you want to be sure we get the answer to? Send your questions to info@primastrada.com

Ms. July is Morgan Rich. To come? Ms. August, Mr. September ... you get the idea.

Q. How long have you been with Prima Strada?
A. 2 years

Q. Where is your hometown?
A. Calgary

Q. What's your favorite restaurant/ food item in your home town?
A. Vegetable Korma at Moti Mahal. I dream about it.

Q. What is your favorite pie?
A. Margherita with olives and extra buf mozz. It never gets old.

Q.What's your ultimate comfort food?
A. My nana's gingersnaps. And toast n jam.

Q. Current favorite wine?
A. Lake Breeze 2004 Pinot Gris. Probably because I have a full glass in front of me as I answer these questions. Deeeelicious.

Q. If you could go one place for a week all expenses paid, where would you go?
A. Oh geez, so tough. Um, at this exact moment I would go somewhere really hot where I could drink wine and eat bread and cheese all day long. (hmm, sounds like Italy)

Q. Best part about being with Prima Strada?
A. The people. The people I work with and the people I serve.

photo: Morgan enjoys a slice of her favorite pie with her favorite guy, husband Royce. photo by deddeda stemler.

Tour of Farms 2010 - Sunday, July 25

Where does my food come from? What’s it like to be a farmer? All important questions that deserve consideration. You can get the answers – and have some summer fun - at the Tour of Farms this Sunday.

Go for a drive in the country. Enjoy the fresh air. Have a picnic. Walk through a blueberry patch. Chat with a farmer. Savour a fresh raspberry. Sample local ciders and pizza too.

We're rolling Black Beauty to one of our favorite spots - Sea Cider. We'll take in the view, sip some cider and make pizza using ingredients from local farms.

For more information, visit the Farm Fresh site:

http://www.islandfarmfresh.com/touroffarms.htm

Barbera Fact File

Why you should try it: soft on tannin & full of spicy dark cherry flavors, it has a shameless yum factor and - with naturally vibrant acidity - is fabulous with food (especially pizza)

Must try matches - pepperoni pizza (we suggest Luc's Pepperoni Pizza found only at Pizzeria Prima Strada of course).

Pedigree: Barbera rivals Sangiovese for most planted red in Italy; once known as "the people's wine" in the Piedmont region, Barbera d'Asti and Barbera d'Alba account for much of the red wine consumed there.

PPS offers Batasolio Sovrana Barbera d'Alba by the glass, 1/2 ltr and bottle.

Though we weren't voted number 1 (yet) we are very proud to be named Victoria's second best pizza! Thanks to everyone who voted for us. Now we have a clear goal, next year will be the year of the Prima Strada.
Drop by either location to see what's new, what's delicious and what's up and coming. With the warm weather here, our Bridge Street patio is beckoning. Stay tuned for a new "team profile" segment in next month's newsletter. Not a subscriber? Go to www.pizzeriaprimastrada.com to subscribe.

Necessity is the mother of all invention

What is one to do while trying to get a table at Pizzeria Prima Strada on Cook Street (other than gaze longingly)? The answer is simple: head over to Pizzeria Prima Strada on Bridge Street! Now open for dinner, we are serving delicious food in a room that's nearly twice the size as our Cook Street location- we've even got a licensed patio! It's less than an hour's walk from Prima Cook to Prima Bridge (perfect time to build up an appetite) and only 10 minutes by car! While we have some key features in common(wood burning oven, fabulous staff, lovely wine offerings) there are some added features the new room: fresh pasta, roasted meat dishes and daily soups to name a few. Large party reservations are welcome. Please call for availability!


View Larger Map

PPS featured on Get Fresh with the locals

Get Fresh you ask? Indeed. Get Fresh with the locals connects eaters with the growers, producers, suppliers and supporters of fresh, local food + drink on Vancouver Island. With a focus on farm fresh food and animal products grown and raised locally and sustainably, Get Fresh also features local businesses supporting local agriculture and the rural lifestyle by using these products. Think Pizzeria Prima Strada, Driftwood, Sea Cider, Fairburn Farms (to name a few of our favs). Along with a growing blog & facebook fan page, a guide is also in the works!

Check it out: http://www.getfreshguide.com/blog/

Communal Dining - trend or tradition?

My first memorable experience of communal dining occurred years ago in Florence. Hungry, my sister and I happened upon Ristorante Il Latini. We were ushered into the busy restaurant, sat between Italians (locals)and Germans (fellow travellers) and had a great evening sharing food, wine and conversation with our dining companions. I can think of many other restaurants - in Italy, New York, Vancouver, San Francisco - where communal dining as been the standard or an option for years. We offer a communal table at Cook Street and all of the tables at Bridge are meant to be shared. Trend or tradition? Is there a better tradition than joining others to share a meal? Nope.

http://insidevancouver.ca/2010/04/07/communal-dining-catches-on-in-vancouver/

Best Pizza in Vancouver? No, it's in Victoria.

In the May issue of Vancouver Magazine, Neal McLennan searches for a good pizza in Vancouver. "I asked a number of Vancouver chefs where to get a good pie and mostly they just shrugged. I'm pretty sure Rob Feenie understood the question, but still he answered, "Prima Strada in Victoria."' Need we say more? Indeed, thanks Rob Feenie.

http://www.vanmag.com/Restaurants/Best_Pizza_in_Vancouver

Sunshine & Gelato

With the temp expected to reach 15 today, its certain to be a beach afternoon when school lets out today. We'll also be stopping in for gelato - green apple and blood orange sorbetto are back. Come by for a treat, the gelato cases at both both Cook & Bridge Street are full!

Averill Creek and Prima Strada You Tube video

A nice video shot on location at Averill Creek featuring the Prima Strada mobile setup. Don't mind the spelling mistakes- What a location!

PPS closed for Festa della Mamma

Yes, it's true. We'll be closed on Mother's Day! We're treating the PPS team to a day of fun - playing bocce in the park and having lasagne for dinner. We know your disappointed but we also know you understand. Mille grazie.

We'll be back in action on Monday - planning expanded hours for Bridge Street (yes, dinner @ Bridge in June!), planning more mobile oven events to help fill your belly with PPS pies and still being sure to have fun!

Summer 2010 Mobile Schedule

Hello Pizza fans! Here is a schedule of this summer's public events that feature our mobile oven. Want more information? Email Andrew@primastrada.

May 22, 23:

• Victoria Highland Games

May 29:

• Selkirk Waterfront Festival

May30:

• ICC Defending Our Backyard

Every Thursday (June to September)

• Sidney Summer Market

June 11-13:

• Navy Centennial International Fleet Review

June 25-27:

• Victoria International Jazz festival

This is just a taste of where you can find delicious pizza on the go! Of course you can always visit either of our locations in Victoria to get your fix!

Prima Strada Hits The Road

In our house, Geoffrey reads all his news on-line every morning while I still like the paper edition. This morning we were both thrilled to see PPS featured in the Business Section of the Times Colonist. You'll have to get own your paper copy (I'm saving mine), but here's the on-line link:

http://www.timescolonist.com/business/PrimaStrada+hits+road/2975204/story.html

Shouts from all around our house this morning! Thanks TC!

PS - Thinking of hitting the road today? Andrew just confirmed Black Beauty has arrived at Averill Creek Vineyard for today's Open House. Beautiful spot and a perfect destination for a drive.

Poodle Skirts, T-birds and Drive-Ins!

Zoe & I are headed to VOS's production of Grease on Friday night at the McPherson Playhouse. The production runs April 30 to May 9. I know your favorite Grease tune is playing in your head - what is it? "Your The One That I Want", "Hopelessly Devoted To You", "Summer Nights"?

PPS on Shaw's The Daily

If you missed it, here's Karen Elgersma's report on Pizzeria Prima Strada for your viewing pleasure.

Averil Creek Spring Open House

This Saturday will be a lovely day of wine, art and great food. Hope to see everyone there! Averill Creek is poised to be the premier winery on Vancouver Island, specializing in estate grown Pinots (Noir & Gris/Grigio). Come show your support for Vancouver Island viticulture and wood fired pizza. I'll be working hard so be sure to say hi!

Black Beauty @ Margaret Jenkins today

Black Beauty is rolling to Ecole Margaret Jenkins School as I type. If you are in the neighborhood (corner of Fairfield & Foul Bay), stop by to see us between 9-2. We've got coffee, Kathleen baked muffins & cookies, juice and most importantly, Geoffrey, Matt & Colin will be making pizza!

Today's fundraiser is for a new play structure. As proud parents of EMJS students, Sheralynn, Geoffrey and I looked know they didn't expect Black Beauty but for us, seemed pretty simple way to support our kids' school and have fun! It helps we've got a great team that knows today will be a good time. Along with our staff, Sysco & PSC helped with a few product donations and PPS will donate a portion of today's profits toward the purchase of the new structure!

Come see the season opener for Black Beauty & support a great local school. Mangia! - Cristen

Bring Your Own Cup to Bridge Street

Today is Earth Day. We thought we'd offer up a little something to show our appreciation (to both Mother Earth & our fans). Beginning today, bring in your own cup and we'll enter you into a weekly draw for a $25 PPS gift card.

One ticket per cup you bring in throughout the day. Yes, that means if you visit in the morn for an Americano, again in the afternoon for Silk Road tea and bring a cup with you, you'll get 2 tickets!

Fine Print:
Drawing for $25 Gift Card every Friday.
Winning ticket will be posted at noon on Friday & must be claimed in person.
One ticket per cup or bag you bring in throughout the day. Offer good at PPS Bridge Street location only.
PPS Gift Card good at Cook & Bridge Street locations.
Promotion ends May 31, 2010.

Averill Creek Open House

May 01 (next Saturday)Averill Creek Winery will be hosting an open house from 11:00 to 4:00 at the winery. The winery has sweeping views of the Cowichan Valley and of course, delicious wine to sip. Meet owner Andy and his lovely wife Wendy, taste some award winning wine, tour the estate and of course, enjoy a bite or two of wood fired pizza. With a little help from the weather, we may have a perfect day on our hands. This event is open to the public so make sure to be there!

Summer events

As the weather turns warm, Black Beauty is excited to make appearances all about town. Here is a short list of events for the month of May:

May 01 - Averil Creek Winery opening day

May 22-23- Victoria Highland Games

May 29 - Selkirk Waterfront Festival

May 30- Defending Our Backyard

Be sure to book these days off on your calendar. More exciting events coming soon!

Want to book your own event with Black Beauty? Call the Events Hotline @ 250-590-4388 or email andrew@primastrada.com.

Primo Pastries

I am a pastry maniac. Those delicious combinations of butter, flour and salt fall somewhere very near fly fishing, wine and my fiancee on my list of importance's. At bridge Street we recently signed on a baker. Needless to say, I am in serious trouble. I tried one of these pesto croissants today and almost fell over with delight. Flakey, buttery, just salty enough with just a hint of lemon.......Are you hungry yet? Come check out our delicious morning snacks. Open at 9am.
Just a couple of snaps to whet the palate. More delicious things on the way.

2010 Best of the City Vote

Let's recognize the best of Greater Victoria! Black Press will publish its Best of the City special edition in June. We're pretty sure we know your answer for Best Pizza and Best Family Restaurant but we sure would appreciate you telling Black Press! Go to the link below to share all your favorite spots!

http://raven.bcnewsgroup.com/portals/vicnews/pages/best_of_the_city/entry_form.php

Ok, we'll admit this might be a bit shameless - when we voted for our favorite places, we couldn't help but notice the voter info area allowed for a city, state and zip code. For those PPS fans outside the Greater Victoria area, we believe this too means you can vote for your favorite Victoria spots!

PPS in Van's Westender.com

Sometimes we miss the good things people say about Pizzeria Prima Strada. Morgan served a couple visiting from Vancouver at Cook Street earlier this week. They said they came from Vancouver to eat our pizza after reading Andrew Morrison's ON THE PLATE: on the hunt for authentic Italian pizza in Westender.com. It is small group of pizza lovers dedicated enough to travel to eat good pizza! Nice to know we are not alone :) We say, "Bravo e mille grazie!"

To read Andrew's fine words, go to:

http://www.westender.com/articles/entry/on-the-hunt-for-authentic-italian-pizza/

Easter Weekend Hours

It'll be business as usual at Cook Street for the holiday weekend. Open Friday & Saturday from 1130 a to 10 p and Sunday & Monday from 1130 a to 9 p.

PPS Bridge Street will be closed Good Friday & Easter Monday. On Tuesday, April 6 its 9a to 6p.

Buona Pasqua!

Driftwood Dinner Menu

Driftwood Brewery Tour and Brewmasters Dinner

Start the evening with a tour and antipasti at the brewery -Driftwood is just down the street from PPS - then arrive at Bridge Street for:

Antipasti (served at the brewery)
Salami, grilled picked vegetables, roasted garlic and spicy nuts

Prosciutto wrapped tuna and celery root ravioli in White Bark Ale broth with clams and mussels

Scamorza (smoked mozzarella) and Farmhand Ale sausage pizza

Metchosin lamb braised in Crooked Coast Amber Ale served over parsley polenta with bitter greens

Artisan Cheese + Honeycomb paired with Naughty Hildegarde's Extra Special Bitter

Blackstone Porter Chocolate Cake with vanilla gelato

Tickets are $70 (including taxes + gratuity) and limited to

40 so book early! Please check our blog closer to the date

for slight menu changes due to availability.

Date: Saturday, April 10 at 6pm

For more information or to purchase tickets, please

contact: andrew@primastrada.com or call 250.590.4388.

PPS on Shaw's The Daily today!

Shaw subscribers can tune into The Daily on channel 11 to see Karen Elgersma's visit to Pizzeria Prima Strada. Karen and her camerman visited both the Bridge and Cook Street locations this past Friday. Tune in to see the Prima Team in action!

What does it look like?

What does a private event at Pizzeria Prima Strada look like? The words creative, warm, urban and FABULOUS come to mind. Enjoy these couple pics from a recent Bridge Street event. Contact Andrew@primastrada.com today to book your own event.

Driftwood Tour & Brewmaster's Dinner

Join us for this special event! Start the evening with a tour and antipasti at the brewery - Driftwood is just down the street from PPS - then arrive at Bridge Street for a delicious 5 course dinner paired with Driftwood brews.

Tickets are $70 (including tax + gratuity) There are only 40 tickets available so book soon!

Contact Andrew to book your tickets or for more information: andrew@primastrada.com or 250.590.4388

Bridge Street excitement!

Hello faithful blog followers,

This past weekend, we kicked the first of many fabulous events at Bridge Street with a wonderful wedding reception. Our guests were treated to lovely food, great service and a chic and intimate venue to share their special day. It was a total success! This week we've got our grand opening on Saturday for everyone to check out the new digs! On April 10th we have a beer makers dinner featuring our Rock Bay neighbors, Driftwood Brewery! Drop by our location at Cook street for details and tickets!

Celebrate our Grand Opening!

Today's Specials at Bridge Street

For your viewing pleasure - a few photos from the past few days at Bridge Street.

EAT Magazine's Exception Eats Awards

Oh how sweet it is. The last day of the 2010 Winter Olympics hosted in Beautiful British Columbia and PPS wins Gold in the 1st Annual EAT Magazine EE Awards! And the winning category for Prima Strada? Best Island restaurant to take the kids to and still enjoy fabulous food and no hairy eyeballs? No, no at Pizzeira Prima Strada we serve only (to quote a customer last week) "delectable" meat balls along with great pizza pies!

Our humble thanks for the votes and hats off to all the winners! Indeed, we are thankful to be part of a community of food lovers.

To see all the award winners, go to: http://www.eatmagazine.ca/page/awardwinners

2010 is now well underway. For those of you lucky enough to be living on Southern Vancouver Island it is an exciting time to see cherry blossoms, crocus, and Pizzeria Prima Strada's new location.

We have got a few tricks up our sleeve this spring including, but not limited to a Brewmasters Dinner with Driftwood Brewery (April, tickets available soon), ICC's Defending Our Backyard festival (May 10, tickets available now) and Averill Creek Vineyards Opening Day (May 01, more information to follow). This is just the tip of the iceberg. Stay tuned for more delicious events featuring western Canada's only authentic Neapolitan, wood fired pizzeria.

Want to create your own memorable event? Contact Andrew at andrew@primastrada.com or 250-590-4388 today!

Your Monday Mid-Morning Break at PPS Bridge Street

We said we'd be expanding our hours soon and Monday is the day! We'll be open at 9 a.m. - in plenty of time for your mid morning break.

Come over for a free cuppa - be it coffee or tea - on us! Matt's been working on some tasty treats and we're excited to hear what you think. So, set the alarm in your calendar. That's Monday, February 22. We'll open at 9 a.m. The free cuppa offer is good all day long!

PS - Have we mentioned we've got espresso drinks, drip coffee and Silk Road teas?

Prima Strada receives the 2010 Early Years Award

Pizzeria Prima Strada Cook Street was honored with the Early Years Award for Best Restaurant yesterday. I rolled into the breakfast celebration unprepared to hear our name called! Of course, we are thrilled and appreciate the recognition! What an amazing list of nominees. To check out the other winners, go to:

http://www.successby6victoria.ca/ey_awards.php

The 2010 Early Years Awards honour businesses and organizations that help make a difference in the lives of families with young children. Whether it be a safer park, a child friendly office or simply a more tolerant attitude supporting families in our community through good business has many rewards.

Bridge Street Open February 15th!

We're there! Pizzeria Prima Strada opens on Bridge Street Monday! Just one more sleep!

We'll be open Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. In addition to our great pizzas and salads, we'll also be serving up panini, zuppa and pasta! Check out the menu on our updated web site: http://pizzeriaprimastrada.com/bridgestreet.php

We're working on a few tasty treats to go with your morning coffee - expect expanded hours soon!

PS - Felice Festa San Valentino!

Early years award

Thanks for everyone's votes with the Early Years Award! We were recognized as a finalist and it's all because of you! So give yourself a pat on the back and keep your fingers crossed. We find out if we won on February 17th.

http://www.successby6victoria.ca/ey_awards.php

We're almost there!

The oven as been lit, the wood has arrived and the sign is up. We are literally days away from opening the doors to our new location. At Bridge Street you will be treated to a warm urban environment with lots and lots of amazing reclaimed wood. Family style tables will accommodate up to 16 people-perfect for you and your lunch pals. Hungry on your way home from work? Call in for a take-out pizza to grab on your way home.

It's an exciting time for us and we are eager to share our new space with you. By joining our monthly newsletter, you will receive updates, promotions and chances to win free stuff.

We are looking forward to taking care of you! Information regarding our new location and the
newsletter is available on our website www.pizzeriaprimastrada.com



















A nice look at the family tables with the wood lot behind.

Be the envy of the Victoria scene!

It's time to get creative and start thinking about your spring and summer events with Pizzeria Prima Strada! We are ready to create events you and your guests will be talking about all year!

At Bridge Street we've got a chic and urban space for celebrations - weddings, birthdays and small meetings -to name a few ideas. Best of all, you and your guests will have Pizzeria Prima Strada all to yourselves (imagine the envy)!

Interested in having Prima Strada come to you? Our mobile wood-fired oven is the answer!

Check back soon for even more photos from the new (and nearly finished room)!

To begin planning your event, please contact Andrew: 250-590-4388 or andrew@primastrada.com .

We look to forward to seeing you at the hottest party of the year: yours!

Bridge street sneak peek part 2!

We've got some more photos for you to check out. Notice the oven has arrived and the counters have been poured. The room is in the final stages of development and we will soon be in there sprinkling Prima Strada magic all over. It's also time to start planning your 2010 private events for both Bridge street and with our mobile catering oven. Please email info@primastrada.com or andrew@primastrada.com for information and bookings.

Polished concrete countertops

Black Beauty with the new oven waiting to be placed.

Beautiful family style tables made from reclaimed wood.

A closer look at the open kitchen area.

Early years award

There's yet another opportunity to vote for your favorite restaurant! The early years award is given to a favorite Victoria establishment that is perfect for you and the kids. Since our opening, we have strived to offer a relaxed family-friendly environment to enjoy delicious pizza and gelato. So far, we feel that we've been doing a pretty good job. If you agree then please vote for us at www.successby6victoria.ca. We would be honored to receive your vote. Here's the direct link to the voting page:

http://www.successby6victoria.ca/ey_awards.php

Thank you very much for your support!

Cowichan Adventure

What does elegant pinot noir, A duck called Socks (OK, he was a cat) and a grey winter's day have in common? They are all perfect ingredients for a sensational Cowichan Valley wine tasting! This past weekend we went to visit Averill Creek Winery and Alderlea Vineyards. After fueling up with some delicious Drumroaster coffee, we headed down the road to visit two premier estate wineries right here on the island! Thanks to Andy and Roger for the information and of course, the beautiful wine. If you can't make it up to the Cowichan Valley, feel free to pop on by and enjoy a glass of Vancouver Island terroir, new wines arriving weekly!

1. Cristen and Andy in the barrel room at Averill Creek.
2. The crew with Roger, sampling delicious wine at Alderlea.
3. Gela processing the aromas of the pinot noir.

We need your votes!

If you have not yet heard of Eat Magazine's Exceptional Eats contest, then it is time you checked it out at www.eatmagazine.ca. Now that you are familiar with it, please vote for us! We would love to be selected by you as an exceptional eat on Vancouver Island. Thank you for your support! And in case you didn't catch the tweet, the new oven for our Bridge Street location has arrived in Canada. Want more Pizzeria Prima Strada? Go to our website and check get tweets, facebook updates and contest info via our monthly newsletter. Ciao!

Bridge street sneak peek

We have collected a small amount of construction photos of the new Bridge Street Pizzeria. Please see our add in the new Eat Magazine for the exact location!




Among other things, Bridge St will be home to "Black Beauty" aka: the Pizzeria Prima Strada mobile catering oven.







Cabinets being constructed for the kitchen and service area. Check out those sweet lights!






A kitchen perspective of the new room. Other than providing a delicious meal and a satisfying coffee, this unique and functional space will be terrific for private events too (Gold medal hockey anyone?).




At Prima Strada we are really excited to unveil our new location. Stay tuned for opening dates and exiting events. Want more news from Pizzeria Prima Strada? Follow us on Twitter and check out our Facebook fan page!

Monday magazine has just published us in a recent edition that highlights new restaurants. Come see what all the fuss is about. Here's the link so you can read the nice things they said about us. It's a pleasure to be associated with great spots like Stage, Aura and Red Fish Blue Fish.

http://mondaymag.com/articles/entry/cheque-please/food-and-life/

See you soon!

Well the holidays seem to have come and gone. Thanks to everyone for a busy season. Now as we look forward to the new year we must remember what's most important: authentic Neapolitan pizza! Check out Eat Magazine for our ad promoting our NEW LOCATION! Stay tuned for more details.