The Parlor Pizzeria, located on Camelback Road just east of the 51, was established in 2007 and has been a powerhouse in the Arizona pizza game ever since. They were even rated the #1 pizza in Arizona by Food Network back in 2011. Let’s dig into the three components that make The Parlor so special.

Vibe:

The Parlor is what they call a “rustic Italian eatery.” As you walk through the restaurant, you will see wine resting in beautiful exposed wooden wine displays. Another glance around and patrons catch a glimpse of the open kitchen decorated with popping white brick surrounding the wood-burning pizza oven. The oven gives off the aroma and sound of crackling wood, which is gently carried across the restaurant by a subtle breeze originating from the open windows by the bar.

The bar side of The Parlor has a neighborhood-style pizzeria-pub feel. Large communal tables fill up one side of the seating area, excellent for those happy hours get-togethers. Opposite the tables is the bartop, where visitors pull up a seat, grab a pint, and catch highlights of the game on the large TV set in the corner.

Whatever one looks for in a dining experience, from a casual bite to an elevated meal for a special date, The Parlor provides it.

Food:

Everything served at The Parlor is handmade daily, including all the bread, pasta, and desserts. They pride themselves on providing fresh, seasonal ingredients. So much so that The Parlor actively grows and harvests ingredients in their own gardens.

Kick-off any dining experience at The Parlor with one of the all-time best appetizers, the Fritto Misto. This lightly breaded crispy calamari and shrimp dish are served with a grilled lemon and a side of romesco.

Now onto the pizza! Two pies you can’t go wrong with are the classic Roma, and something a bit more modern in the spicy barbecue chicken. Both of the pizzas are perfectly executed. Stunningly symmetrical, fantastic in contrast and color, the ingredients float on a wonderfully fluffy, yet crunchy, crust. The Roma features prosciutto with burrata and parmesan cheeses, with a sprinkle of oregano, but the star of this pizza is the smoked tomato. Offering a subtle, wood-fired char, the tomato provides the smokey flavor that elevates this traditional pizza. The Spicy Barbecue Chicken Pizza is also on another level, unlike near any other similar pie. The base layer sports a sweet-tangy barbecue sauce, which is topped with roasted free-range chicken, provolone, fresh cilantro, grilled scallion, and serrano chili. The combination of lean, roasted chicken, earthy homegrown vegetables, and sweet barbecue sauce is what set this one above the bar.

Don’t pass on the dessert menu either. The Parlor serves what they dub The Perfect Chocolate Cake, and it’s hard to find errors with that title. The chocolate cake sits alongside tart cherries and underneath a mountain of whipped cream and shaved dark chocolate. Another star of the dessert menu is the Banana Trifle. This divine layering of whipped cream, graham cracker, and banana is a decadent finish to any pasta or pizza enjoyed prior.

Beverage:

The beverage list has everything one looks for in a good sipping experience. Local brews on tap range from breweries like THAT, The Shop, Four Peaks, Mother Road, and Cider Corps, as well as some regional favorites from neighboring states California and Colorado. For those who look past beer, The Parlor’s wine list is quite extensive and they have a variety of signature cocktails available as well. Fancy yourself a post-meal whiskey drink? Try Arizona’s own Whiskey Del Bac Old Fashioned dubbed the I-10 Old Fashioned. We also love the Sangria, Ciao Bruno, and 1013 cocktails.

Written by Steven Larson
Photography by Luke Irvin