Dining Pick of the Week: Pizza Rock

Pizza Rock

Downtown3rd, 201 N. Third St., downtown Las Vegas, 702-385-0838

It’s tempting to say that Pizza Rock isn’t your grandmother’s pizzeria — except it probably is. That’s because the pies here are crafted in an Old-World style using brick ovens, worthy of the approval of any Italian grandmother. Pizza Rock creators George Karpaty, Tony Gemignani and Trevor Hewitt have combined their nightlife and pizza-making experience to offer a menu of unique pizzas, salads, appetizers, calzones (baked or deep-fried), strombolis, grinders, meatball subs and paninis. Pizza Rock also features hand-crafted artisan cocktails, an extensive wine list and more than 30 craft beers on tap and in bottles. Pizza Rock’s Margherita pizza ($17) was a World Pizza Cup Winner in Naples, Italy, and is limited to 73 pies per day. San Marzano tomatoes form a base for a light covering of mozzarella fior de latte, basil, extra-virgin olive oil and sea salt. Cooked in four different ovens, the various pie choices include Neapolitan, Classic Italian, Classic American, Sicilian, Roman and gluten-free options. An Acoustic Brunch from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sundays offers specialty breakfast pizzas, meatball hash and eggs, eggs Benedict with pancetta and French toast made with focaccia, all backed up by live entertainment. The atmosphere is contemporary but comfortable, and parking is free in the Ogden/Third parking garage across the street (with validation at the hostess stand). Pizzas start around $20 and go up to $39 for a 22-inch pie serving up to six people. Pizza Rock is open from 11 a.m. to midnight Sunday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday.