Pizza Antica; Santana Row; San Jose

Once a month, it is pizza time for my family, and we never have any problem deciding where to go. Our first and most obvious choice is Pizza Antica. This delightful eatery is located in Santana Row near Valley Fair Mall in San Jose, and so we can go shopping before and after we eat. My family has been here many times, and it is one of our most faithful and favorite restaurants ever!

Almost every day, Pizza Antica is a very crowded place, so it would be wise to book reservations or to come an hour in advance. The employees are very kid- friendly and treat you like family. After we were taken to our table, my brother and I received a set of crayons and a picture to color, so we could be kept occupied. All of the items on the menu sounded delicious, and there are many options for vegetarians. Some of their items are seasonal, but one item that is there every time the Heirloom Potato, Caramelized Onion and white Truffle Oil. This is a traditional item that we order. The pizza has a crispy thin crust that well balances the light cheese, white truffle oil, and sauteed fingerling potatoes. The pizza is presented well; all the colors are mellow which bring a calming feeling. The smell of this delight is wonderful. The hanging, light smell of truffle oil, combined with the garlic, onions, and cheese transports you back to Italy.

During fall, you should keep an eye out for the butternut squash ravioli. This is my favorite pasta in the restaurant. The perfectly cooked pasta shell along with the creamy butternut squash filling is a dream come true for your palate. Another summer pasta which I love is the peas ravioli. The peas filling is not as creamy as the squash filling, but it still leaves your taste buds craving for more. Scattered around this dish are hard little peas that balance out the creaminess of the filling. Of course, there are more normal pizzas and pastas on the menu that you can go for.

Because the food in Pizza Anica is so light, there is always room for dessert when we are done with our meals. The desserts vary from season to season, but make sure to look for the walnut shortcake during fall. The moist, nutty cake is brought to life with the whipped cream and fresh strawberries that garnish this sweet treat. The price of the foods at Pizza Antica are slightly expensive, but affordable, and they are definitely worth it. Pizza Antica is obviously one of the best Italian restaurants in Silicon Valley.

Pizza Antica is rated 5- Ooh-La-La.

Rating Scale: 1- Yuck!; 2- Junk; 3- Its OK; 4- Yummm!; 5- Ooh-La-La!