To all my pizza-patrons…forgive me!
Forgive me for the sins, transgressions, and the truly fucked-up things I have said about spaghetti, linguini, ravioli, and, of course, the most Anglicized of all these Italian delicacies, the typical American pizza pie.
You see, I have had a semi-hard lifetime of cheap frozen pizzas—like Totino’s, Jack’s and whatever factory refuse has been served up to me—and all my barbs and snips against the fake-spicy foodstuff has turned me into a real shitkicker against most pre-made pies.
And don’t get me started on the “standard” pizza buffets!
But now I have to sincerely apologize, because over the past few years, Oklahoma City has been in a full-on pizza renaissance. Among many of the new faces at the tables, I have noticed that the ingredients are better, the service is better, and—wholeheartedly—the pizza itself… is, well, supreme!
That brings me to the somewhat playful Tipsy Tomato, 7301 N. May Ave.—formerly the much-missed Ned's Starlite Lounge—OKC’s new slice of life, giving the people some real gourmet pizza creations, as well as mouthwatering burgers, packed bruschetta boards, and the sweetest desserts around.
We arrived for lunch around noon, immediately digging the late Starlite's bleary-eyed mod-vibe, which Tipsy luckily leaned right into.
Even though the retro-futuristic design is definitely tomato-inspired, it still had a kooky, modern-bar atmosphere, which gave the place a real drinky-drink aura that drew us in as we took our seats and looked over the menu.
But, as I looked over the plates at the tables near us, there was no question that our first dish would be Fried Artichoke Hearts—everyone seemed to have it. Sometimes peer pressure works!
Quickly ordered and promptly brought out, the Fried Artichoke Hearts ($10.00) were a total gas. The meaty artichoke hearts were lovingly battered and fried to a perfect golden hue, served with tangy house-made remoulade sauce and fresh lemon wedges.
This was something different…something special! The artichoke hearts—something I had never had in this manner before—were expertly fried and, with the lemony remoulade sauce, truly an appetizer to have again and again.
We almost made the mistake of filling up on them!
But my wife—quite the Francophile—had to stop the artichoke attack for her entrée, the fabulous Brie Burger ($18.00). It was a 100% Angus burger, laden with melted brie, arugula and a truly decadent bacon jam, served with seasoned house-cut fries.
Honestly, my wife became truly embroiled in the thoughtful burger. At first, it might seem like a regular sandwich, but as soon as the grade-A Angus collides with that top-line brie melting perfectly on top, all bets are off. This is a spectacular burger.
But enough with the burger…this pizza pie was the thing I had been craving since I heard about this joint, and, finally, here it was on my table and ready to go!
I decided on the spicy Saucy Sausage ($16.00), a reasonable 13-inch pie with house-made marinara and shredded mozzarella cheese, topped with the somewhat spicy sausage, roasted red pepper, and a few sprigs of arugula.
Now this is the pizza I had been waiting for!
Even though I am nowhere near tipsy, you better believe this pizza is primo, as the deft combination of sauce, mozzarella, and sausage—as well as the seared, crispy garlic crust—made magic in my mouth.
As I wiped my inflamed lips, I proclaimed that the Tipsy Tomato has to be one of the best new eateries in the city, so get in the game and try a slice or two!
With a meal this good, there was no way I would be skimping on dessert. And, with the Flourless Chocolate Cake ($10.00) on offer, why not? The perfect capper to the meal, it was a “dense and fudgy” flourless cake topped with a zingy house-made raspberry sauce.
Sure, it was decadent as all get out, but with a meal like this, how can you afford to hold back the ending? As a matter of fact, I think I might go back this weekend and pick up a couple of pies for a social gathering… and I never thought I would say that, right?
Cómpralo ya!
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Follow Louis Fowler on Instagram at @louisfowler78.
