Este Pizzeria offers respite from rigors of Sundance in Park City
A slice of pepperoni pizza and salad at Este Pizzeria in Park City.
A side order of buffalo wings at Este Pizzeria in Park City.
A side order of mozzarella sticks at Este Pizzeria in Park City.
A regular calzone, with pepperoni and black olives, at Este Pizzeria in Park City.
Everyone needs a little break from the hustle and bustle of the Sundance Film Festival.
Dashing from screening to screening can be fun and stressful, and one can always gain a little sense of relief once you have made another film just under the wire and you have a brief moment to slightly unwind.
Some days are a “pack your lunch” kind of day, and others are a “discover a quaint little restaurant convenient to your schedule” kind of day.
I experienced the latter option on two occasions over the first weekend covering the film festival this year, and stopped in twice to Este Pizzeria. The smaller restaurant is situated on Sidewinder Drive, just a short walk away from the Marriott Hotel that serves as the media headquarters for the festival. Its location is also within easy walking distance of the Prospector Square screening room and the main Eccles Theatre as well. In addition, you are close to several main shuttle stops so it is in a great location for those risking independence.
Admittedly, I had another restaurant scoped out for my review, but it turns out it would only open starting for dinner. So I settled on Este Pizzeria simply by sight instead. Sometimes the best decisions are those made on the spot.
Este serves New York Style pizza, and my main dish on the first visit was a great lunch special that included a slice of pizza (pepperoni for me), a salad and a drink for $8.75. The pizza, with its thin, soft crust was definitely up to expectations. I expected a great slice, and that is exactly what I got.
What really blew me away, however, was the salad. Now, I do like a good salad, but this literally turned out to be my favorite part of the meal. It featured a fresh spring mix and was topped with four tomato slices, red onions, green peppers, black olives, sunflower seeds and golden raisins. The golden raisins added a burst of flavor every time one ended up on my fork, and the house ranch dressing was a delicious complement. Seriously, I would go back just for the salad.
I also sampled a side order of buffalo wings. They proved to be just a little too spicy for me — although the accompanying bleu cheese dipping sauce helped tone things down perfectly — but, admittedly, that is personal preference, and most people would find the slight heat to be an ideal level. One thing I noticed, and appreciated, was that the wings serving was seven, instead of the more traditional six. That was a nice touch.
Things went so well on my first visit, I decided to stop in again the next day. Now, I know I said I would go back just for the salad — and indeed I would have — however, I also felt the need to sample some different items off the menu for review purposes.
I tried a regular calzone for $9.50, which has huge by itself, and there was a bigger size available for $16. (”You’re going to need a bigger plate!”) The baked pizza dough outside was wrapped around a blend of ricotta and mozzarella cheeses, and two ingredients of choice. This was big enough that I had at least half remaining, which I took home and ate late that same night.
For a side order, I went with the mozzarella sticks this time and they did not disappoint. Fried to perfection outside, with extra gooey cheese inside, accompanied by a thick marinara — this was another favorite item. Also worth noting — there were seven sticks instead of six. I was beginning to sense a trend in that regard — and I like it.
Service was quick and friendly both days, and there were even some good basketball games on the one flat-screen television to divert one’s attention slightly away from the “all movies all the time” festival focus. On top of that, there was some excellent alternative rock playing on the overhead speakers.
Este Pizzeria, perhaps our paths will cross again during next year’s festival. Save the aisle seats — and a salad! — for me.
ESTE PIZZERIA
Where: 1781 Sidewinder Drive, Suite 1, Park City
Hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday to Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday, noon to 10 p.m. Saturday, and noon to 9 p.m. Sunday
Prices: $5.50-$27
Info: (435) 731-8970, estepizzaco.com/parkcity