Beijing Boyce

This is part fourteen in the Must Tries Series that asks people in the Beijing bar, restaurant, and wine business to give us their recommendations. This time up: Jade Gray of Gung Ho! Gourmet Pizza Factory.

Jady Gray (right) and partner John O'Loghlen

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What is the “must try” pizza at Gung Ho?

To me the pizza that best represents what Gung Ho Pizza is all about would be the Chicken/Camembert on Whole Wheat crust. Premium ingredients, innovative toppings, stellar taste. The kicker to this killer combination is the macerated black currents that we throw on top, giving it a savory/sour punch that totally works. Most people read it on the menu and are a little skeptical, but once I twist their arm to try it, they are sold for good and don’t want to try anything but. Definitely works best on the whole wheat crust, as do most of our flavors. We use an organic wholewheat flour sourced from Heilongjiang that brings something special to the palate. It’s no wonder our wholewheat outsells our white crust. (RMB65 for medium, RMB95 for large)

What is the “most try” non-pizza item at Gung Ho?

Difficult to say as we have a new menu coming out after Chinese New Year with a heap of fresh goodness. On the current menu I would have to say our Greek Salad. Obviously it’s a staple on any menu, but ask anyone who has tried it and they’ll swear it’s one of the best in Beijing. We don’t cut corners on any of our salad ingredients as illustrated by the liberal servings of imported kalamata olives and feta cheese that we source from Greece. The flat parsley that we use adds a whole new angle to this Mediterranean classic, and even though we are known for our gourmet pizza it’s the noise that we are making with our salads that has taken us by surprise. (RMB30 medium, RMB50 large)

What are three “must try” items at other venues in Beijing?

1. Switch! (798) Sichaun Cosmo… just be sure to ask the bartender to keep the spice down!

2. Any entrée at Sureno.

3. Lush’s Deluxe Burger: Totally hits the spot after a night on the town… but I guess owning the place makes me a little bias!

Time Out magazine takes on a topic this month about which most people I know have strong opinions: What is the best pizza in Beijing? I’ve seen people flip out every time The Tree wins for “best pizza” at The Beijinger awards; heated debate about whether the pies at La Pizza (or Kro’s Nest or Hutong Pizza or wherever) are good or not, and inspired discussions about crusts, sauces, and toppings. Here is how Time Out ranked twenty pizzas:

1. La Pizza
2. Hutong Pizza
3. Sureno
4. The Tree
5. Mao Mao Chong
6. Gung Ho!
7. Meeting Point
8. Vineyard Café
9. Kro’s Nest
10. Tavola
11. Annie’s
12. O Sole Mio
13. The Den
14. Abella
15. Pyro Pizza
16. Danger Doyle’s
17. Bang! Bang! Pizza
18. Tube Station Pizza
19. All-Star Sports Bar
20. Pizza Buona

By and large, I can see the rationale behind these rankings, particularly those in the top ten. But they do inspire a few thoughts…

• Time Out should have included Origus in its survey. Just so they could rank it number 50 out of 20.
• The magazine is going to get complaints from fans of other pizza places, from Passby Bar to Nasca to L’Isola: one acquaintance swears by the pizza at the latter.
• They missed half the point about The Den. Yes, it provides late night pizza but it also has a daily half-price pizza deal. Where else can you get a decent four cheese pizza for RMB30.
• The thing about Pizza Buona is that I know chefs who love it. In fact, the chef at the former Louisiana restaurant in the Hilton first introduced it to me and I know other chefs who order it. I’m not saying that alone means it is the best, but last place? Though to be honest, I only like the pepperoni pizza from this place.
• If you get the lunch special at Sureno, you can include the pizza. That turns a pricey pie into a good deal.
• Does Nearby the Tree have a pizza oven? I did not know that…