by Ashley Hagar

Culture Editor

In Oct. 2015, Philz Coffee, Super Duper Burger, Pizza Studio, and a few other

small businesses opened in the new commercial center Lester Square in Los Gatos.

Even with rival restaurants and coffee shops just across the street in every direction,

many of the restaurants in this new location have flourished.

Unfortunately, Pizza Studio closed shortly after opening. This closing took away

the only “make-your-own” pizzeria in Los Gatos. However, almost a year after the

original pizzeria opened, a new one has arrived. Firenza, a Virginia based pizzeria,

opened in early Oct. Los Gatos is Firenza’s first West Coast location. Ling Hullon, the

franchise owner, hopes to open four Firenzas in Santa Clara County within the next few

years.

The interior of the restaurant looks the same as Pizza Studio with the exception

of their menu and the labels of the toppings available. When Firenza first opened, they

offered many promotions to their customers including ordering a pizza for two dollars

and free pizza once a week for the first ten people in line every day for their first week of

business.

With a limited menu of eight signature pizzas, Firenza focuses on allowing

customers the ability to create their own pizza. The customers have the option to create

their own ten-inch pizza for just $8.99 or order one of the signature pizzas for the same

price. Firenza has a variety of almost 50 toppings available for customers to choose

from, including 20 vegetables, six cheeses, and ten meats. After placing their orders,

customers can expect their pizzas to be cooked within five minutes.

Firenza offers a vegetarian pizza that is topped with firenza roasted garlic sauce,

a mozzarella and provolone cheese blend, portobello mushrooms, artichoke hearts,

fresh basil, and roasted red peppers. Their most popular pizza, the Firenza, includes

their classic tomato sauce, a mozzarella and provolone cheese blend, pepperoni,

sausage crumbles, artichoke hearts, red onion, a pepper medley, and fresh garlic.

Alongside their pizzas, Firenza also offers salads, desserts, oven-baked wings,

and many drinks, including freshly squeezed lemonade. They also have signature sides

that include cheesy or lain breadsticks and a side salad. Firenza also offers a gluten-

free crust available for those who prefer it. While ordering a pizza, you have another

option of toppings which is to have your pizza prepared “Cali-Style.” This preference

tops off an individual pizza with a blend of romaine and spring mix lightly dressed with

vinaigrette and topped with avocado slices.

(Sources: Restaurant News, Firenza Pizza, Mercury News)