Pizza Tasting Menu or Pizza Omakase? The US Rethinks its Favorite Food

Sometimes, the reboot is better than the original. Sometimes.

Can the same be said for reinventing the way we eat pizza? Well, we’re not sure yet. Though not a brand-new concept, the “pizza tasting menu” trend is gaining momentum in the US, offering a luxurious twist on everyone's favorite comfort food.

The gist is exactly what it sounds like: a dining experience in which guests sample multiple styles or flavors of pies, rather than opting for one whole pizza. Also known as "pizza omakase," the option introduces diners to unique pizza styles, essentially establishing culinary adventure in an area it hadn’t really existed before.

Leading the charge are restaurants like Tony’s Pizza Napoletana in San Francisco and Pizzeria Sei in Los Angeles, each taking a different approach to the trend. At Tony’s, you can sample seven pizzas over the course of two and a half hours, a selection that showcases regional differences from New Haven to Detroit. At Pizzeria Sei, the portions are smaller, with eight slices featuring a mix of bold and unusual flavors from potato and caviar to Wagyu beef tongue.

It’s safe to say the jury is still out on whether this trend will become a permanent fixture in American (or even global) dining culture, but curiosity alone is probably enough to persuade people to try it at least once. That, plus a serious love for gluten (sorry, celiacs).