Umami on the Prowl: Rosarina Pizza

(This is for Jesse, who passes by Rosarina all the time . . . )

Umami's friend, Trish, has started a new job that is conveniently located near Chinatown, which makes it a lot easier to wander around for food.  On this particular day, Umami was craving some pizza and, since Trish had never been to Rosarina, they went there instead of J.J. Dolan's.

Rosarina is a very small restaurant, near the corner of Hotel and Maunakea . . . narrow storefront, maybe five tables inside.

Small Antipasto Salad

But the food is inexpensive and good.  Umami and Trish got out of there for under $20 and shared a small salad, two mini pizzas and a couple of sodas (Trish liked that they had root beer).

The small antipasto salad  ($4.75) has ham, cheese, salami, pepperoni, pickled celery, cauliflower, carrots, black olives, tomatoes, and onions.  So there lots of good stuff, and it's topped with a very good Italian dressing, more of an herbal vinaigrette.  It's used as the dressing for their sub sandwiches too.  The sub sandwiches are good deal too:  an 8" super (ham, salami, canadian bacon, pepperoni, cheese, tomatoes, lettuce, onions) is only $5.45!

L:  Vegetarian Mini 8"    R:  Combination Mini 8"

The mini pizzas are perfect for one person.  Trish had the vegetarian ($5.75), with tomatoes, green peppers, onions, olives, and mushrooms.  Umami had the combination ($6.50), with sausage, pepperoni, mushrooms, green peppers, onions, black olives, cheese and extra cheese (that's what the menu says!  but it doesn't see excessively cheese-y at all).

Close up of Combination Mini 8

Umami likes these pizzas because they are very generous with the toppings.  The Combination is literally piled with the stuff.  The crust is also good, it's thicker than thin crust, but it's not overly bready.  Also, try pizza with Tabasco instead of red pepper flakes.  You get heat, but also a little zip of vinegar.

Working on this post has Umami getting hungry!  Maybe will have to make a run in to Rosarina again this week, maybe for a sandwich this time!

Rosarina Pizza
1111 Maunakea Street
Honolulu, Hawaii  96817
(808)533-6634
www.rosarinapizza.com