A SLICE OF ITALY: A margherita pizza from Sylvia’s Brick Oven topped with fresh Monzerella and whole basil leaves. A signature pizza is $13 and feeds two.

With low burning candles, a grand piano, and pizza cooked over an open fire, Sylvia’s Brick Oven is a little slice of Italy in the heart of downtown Lafayette.

Known for their wood-fired oven, they proudly display it through large windows that invite diners to get a glimpse of the kitchen.  The oven isn’t just for display though, but is used to make the Italian pizza that they are known for.

A 12 inch pizza, which is the only size it’s available in, is $13 for a signature pizza and $9 for a personalized pizza (where you pick your own toppings).  A 12 inch usually serves two people, unless you usually eat a medium sized pizza by yourself.

I ordered the Margherita signature pizza with fresh mozzarella, tomatoes and basil.

I was prepared to get something akin to a campfire pizza.  What I got was a work of art.  Monzerella and whole basil leaves topped a thin-crusted pizza, which looked so good I hesitated before taking a bite, not wanting to ruin someone’s hard work.

Food is meant to be eaten, though, and ate I did.  With my first bite I understood why everyone raves about the pizza in Italy- twice the amount of flavor is packed into half the size of a normal pizza.

My eating companion ordered the shrimp carbonara- basically a shrimp alfredo with bite-sized pieces of smoked sausage, snow peas, and onions.  It was a little on the pricey side, costing $13 for a bowl.

The shrimp carbonara tasted delicious though, with the smoked sausage adding a punch of flavor that put this dish above those found at Olive Garden.

We topped our meal off with Italian lemon cake.  Like our other dishes, it carried a powerful flavor and was gone much too quickly.

Sylvia’s Brick Oven is the perfect venue for a cozy meal with close friends or your significant other.

Fast Facts:

rating: 5 stars

location: 625 Columbia Street, Lafayette

Miles from school: 2.6 miles

Cost: around $20- $25 for a meal including dessert