No. 6・Savoy
Location📍3 Chome-3-13 Azabujuban, Minato City, Tokyo 106-0045
Rating
Price - under ３０００円
Notes - My first foray into the pizza boom in Tokyo was the impressive Savoy (the one on 3-Chome). We had seats at the counter with a front-row view to the whole pizza-making process and I tried capture with my camera the impressiveness of the dexterity and meticulousness of the man assembling delicious pies of pizza, 3-4 at a time, in a tight space for a busy restaurant with a line out the door. Tokyo pizza is famous for imitating the Napoli style, which is small in circumference, has lighter breading, and is often topped with a drizzle of olive oil. The Tokyo twist is the sprinkle of salt on the crust which I definitely tasted and thought was a nice way to zhuzh up (a la Brad Leone) the final bites. Savoy? More like Savory! (Doesn't really work does it). What an experience it was; I am glad Japan's importing of Italian culture didn't stop at Mario and Luigi.
No. 7・Marumo
Location📍〒150-0022 Tokyo, Shibuya, Ebisuminami, 1 Chome−11−13 恵比寿ヴェルソービル 1階
Rating
Price - under ３０００円
Notes - On the corner of a main road and an alley, Marumo stands out to passersby with its unique architecture that sets it apart from the look of the rest of the neighborhood. We were seated at the counter again, although the view wasn't as central as the one at Savoy; speaking of which, Marumo wasn't able to hold its own against Savoy. Maybe one day Marumo and its youthful, energetic take on pizza will surpass the depth and experience of Savoy, but for now it stands outside of the winner's circle.
No. 8・PST
Location📍1 Chome-24-6 Higashiazabu, Minato City, Tokyo 106-0044
Rating
Price - under ５０００円
Notes - The mother of all Tokyo pizza joints, the original viral story, the current heavy-weight belt-holder: PST is a bit pricey but the price tag is commensurate with taste. This original location, unlike the spacious expansion in Roppongi, is limited in square footage, but is filled wall to wall with character and smokiness that escapes the wood-fired oven from time to time. There is a handful of counter seats, and surrounding it is a hodgepodge of tables and chairs, some high, some low.