Millville Pizza Co.

Artisan pizza now available in cozy Gig Harbor

By Dutch Randall, Jackie Fender on January 4, 2018

ANNOUNCER: This week, Jackie and Dutch were hankering for a slice of pizza pie and an apple wood-fired pizza oven lured them into Gig Harbor's Millville Pizza Co.

JACKIE: Like many dining establishments in Gig Harbor, the space is intimate. With warm accents throughout, a record player, framed historic photos and the glow of the oven nearby, it manages a minimalistic but cozy vibe.

DUTCH: Intimate is right! And with so few seats, it is important to keep the names of those lined up straight. Our name was lost in the shuffle and were seated after those behind us on the list. Hopefully this is an exception to the norm.

JACKIE: I dug the artisan approach to the topping selection. You'll spy burrata, gruyere and goat cheese among the more traditional mozzarella. Millville must be mind readers, because those three are the holy trinity of cheeses in my life. You can also add a meaty flair with Portuguese chorizo or prosciutto in the stead of pepperoni and bacon. As I glanced around the room, I noticed the staff slicing the meat on site, which is a nice touch.

DUTCH: We dug into the popular Westland Pizza with red sauce, mozzarella, large slices of prosciutto and then topped with fresh arugula. The thin, hand-made crust serves as a foundation for a pizza that screams fresh. The salty flavor of the prosciutto balances well with the bitter arugula, which is then combined with house-made sauce and grated parmigiano, which adds yet another strong flavor to the selection.

JACKIE: We opted for a classic pepperoni for the kids and the Chinook for the adults. The foundation of each pie boasts that delightful smoky flavor you can only get from a wood-fired oven. The Chinook was delectable with a ricotta white sauce, both mozzarella and bleu cheeses, bacon, shallots and a balsamic drizzle. The pizza isn't over dressed but toppings were evenly distributed allowing for each bite to present a well-balanced flavor matrimony.

DUTCH: My son seems to have bacon radar; when he sees bacon on a menu, we order it. With the other unique available options, we had high hopes for even this simple treat, and we were not disappointed. Hearty and full of smoky flavor, a simple bacon pizza is elevated to a special pizza.

JACKIE: Gah, you must end with one of their chocolate chip cookies. For a measly dollar you get a large, fresh baked treat. The dough is made on site and the high temp oven produces a fluffy cookie with crisp, browned edges and gooey chocolate chips throughout. I was sure I couldn't finish an entire cookie but found myself nibbling away until every last crumb was devoured. I'm a sucker for a good cookie.

DUTCH: I brought a teenage boy with me. He finished it no problem.

Millville Pizza Co., 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and 4:30-9:30 p.m., Tuesday-Saturday, 3409 Harborview Dr., Gig Harbor, 253.514.8626, millvillepizzaco.com