New quick-service pizzeria offers barbecued pizza

April 27, 2015, Toronto – A new gas-grill barbecue pizza concept has opened in Toronto.

Za Pizzeria, which sells thin crust barbecued pizzas made in less than five minutes, has opened its doors at 402 Bloor St. W., the pizzeria said in a news release.

Co-owners and newlyweds Jason and Lisa Costantini have developed their unconventional cooking method by altering the gas grills found in most restaurant kitchens and converting them using pizza stones to create custom pizza barbecues. The restaurant has been designed so that customers can watch their dough being stretched, tossed and dressed before being barbecued for two minutes.

The restaurant is offering 11 different 14-inch pizza options on three menus: Classic, Signature or Feature. Za’s Classic pizzas include the Margherita, the Pepperoni, the Funghi, and the Vegan, which features tomato sauce, sautéed mushrooms, zucchini, peppers, cauliflower and macadamia nut puree.

Za’s Signature menu includes the Meatball, the Pepperoni & Peppers, the Za-vlaki: garlic butter, mozzarella, roasted chicken, pico de gallo and tzatziki and the shop’s signature Oh Canada, which is made with dough drizzled with maple syrup, mozzarella, crispy bacon and potato chips.

Za’s Feature pizzas will be changed on a regular basis and will include such combinations as the Duck & Grapes, which is topped with buffalo mozzarella, duck confit, roasted grapes and balsamic reduction; the Blue Bison, which features wild blueberry sauce, blue cheese and bison; and the Chicken Caesar Pladina, which is an Italian flatbread sandwich, filled with garlic butter, mozzarella, grilled chicken, bacon, romaine lettuce and Caesar dressing. 

Customers can order a full or half pizza, or a single slice (quarter pizza). Delivery of full-sized pizzas is available through website Just Eat. 

“We’ve worked hard to develop a different cooking method and we believe that our take on pizza is different than what is out there. We are excited to share our unique pizza creations with Toronto and be a part of the lively culinary scene,” co-owner Lisa Costantini said in the release.