Blake’s Review:
Usually when you ask someone if they like Pizzeria 712, they’ll either rave about it or tell you they’ve never even heard of it. For those who’ve discovered this oasis in the heart of the Orem culinary desert, it has become a staple. Here’s the reason why: great food, attentive service, and affordable prices which create an intimate dining experience that keeps us coming back for more.
Per usual, our server welcomed us with my favorite pita bread slices and hummus. I can’t think of a better way to start off a meal, and I look forward to it every time I come in. This isn’t one of those restaurants that gives you mediocre bread that’s been sitting around all day. This is the finer bread that you should only expect in a place like Pizzeria 712.
Next our wonderful server, Kelly, brought us out the tomato tart. This is a definite must before you begin your meal. It consists of a house-made tart, roasted cherry tomato, balsamic onion, arugula, and crème fraiche. It was an excellent dish with a lighter flavor. This will absolutely prepare your appetite for the delicious food on the way.
Finally it came time for the main attraction: pizza. My favorite was the house-made sausage. This pizza is a great one for those perhaps confused about the menu or who haven’t been to Pizzeria 712 before. This pizza has house-made sausage, caramelized onion, roasted fennel, tomato sauce, and mozzarella. The rich tomato sauce and caramelized onions are what really do it for me. This pizza will taste somewhat familiar for those new to Pizzeria 712, but so much better.
The guys at Pizzeria 712 make sure to use fresh, sustainable, and local ingredients whenever possible and it really shows through their menu. As their mission states, “Extraordinary food results from the best ingredients, simply cooked.” If you like excellent food, good prices, and just a great dining experience, go to Pizzeria 712.
Tyler’s Review:
I rate my experience at restaurants against three basic criteria: atmosphere, service, and obviously food.
As you enter Pizzeria 712 its clear that you’re in for a causal yet fine dining experience. The first thing you notice is the traditional brick oven located in the back of the restaurant. Just in front of the oven you’ll see the chefs working away in an open and inviting kitchen. Customers are welcome to watch and interact with the chefs as they create masterpiece after masterpiece. Selections of local art line the walls and the sturdy tables and chairs give the entire restaurant and warm, earthy tone.
Our waitress Kelly was pleasant and attentive to our needs. She recommended popular dishes as well as some of her personal favorites, she never let our glasses reach empty, and she was regularly checking in on us to make sure that we were happy with our food. When I chose to give an establishment my business, thoughtful service is a big deal and Pizzeria 712 held up their end of the bargain without missing a beat.
“When you have the best and tastiest ingredients, you can cook very simply and the food will be extraordinary because it tastes like what it is.” –Alice Waters
You’ll find this quote hanging on the wall inside Pizzeria 712, and after eating their food, you’ll agree with me that Pizzeria 712 lives and breaths by this philosophy. I can’t remember a time that I actually raved about seemingly ordinary fare like tomatoes or basil leafs. There are two reasons for this is. 1) Pizzeria 712 uses the freshest possible ingredients; almost all of them come from locally owned, family farms. 2) Pizzeria 712’s dishes are composed in such a simple and elegant way that the ingredients are allowed to express themselves.
It should be noted that Pizzeria 712’s pizzas are in no sense traditional, but don’t let that scare you away. My personal favorite is the corn and goat cheese pizza. This pie is topped with sweet corn, calabrese, grana padano, shepherd’s goat cheese, and fresh oregano. The sweet corn and the thin, flakey crust are what make this pizza my go to. You wont regret ordering this.
For dessert, I went with the peaches and cream. As expected, the peaches were fresh and sweet and perfectly balanced with a mild cream that had a dash of spice mixed in. It was the perfect end to a summer dinner.
Next time you’re looking for a unique and top notch dining experience be sure to give Pizzeria 712 a try.
Pizzeria 712
320 S State St Orem, UT 84058
(801) 623-6712
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