773 E. McMillan St., Walnut Hills
Quick! When you hear the word pizza, what do you think of? For a certain segment of the population, its the slice thats frequently depicted in cartoons: triangle-shaped, heaped with toppings, strings of melted, gooey cheese dripping from it. Fireside Pizza in Walnut Hills has that quintessential version in abundance, but with much more sophistication. Inside the restored 19th-century firehouse, diners enjoy chewy, wood-fired pizzas that delight the tastebuds with locally sourced ingredients. The restaurants dozen or so traditional varieties like the Redlegger (pepperoni, onions and roasted red peppers) and the Greek Pie (olive oil, spinach, kalamata olives and feta) are full of robust flavor, but the revolving assortment of specialty pizzas are what makes Fireside shine. Kitchen staff have full freedom to concoct the pizzas of their dreams. This year, Fireside has featured the Cubano (Swiss cheese, smoked pork shoulder, ham, bacon, pickles and mustard), the Fireside Farmer (garlic, pickled watermelon radishes, roasted zucchini, grape tomatoes and yellow squash) and the popular Elote (chipotle crema base, roasted Ohio sweet corn, cotija cheese, cilantro, chili powder) among its limited-edition pies. Diners can round out their Fireside experiences with an assortment of salads and a variety of local brews and international wines. Enjoy the meal inside the brick building or at the sidewalk picnic tables, or get it all to go. And even though fall weather is upon us now, plan ahead for next year, when Firehouse throws open the big door at the front to usher in the sunshine and fresh air.
Best Bite: With Firesides signature char adding an earthy quality, the White Pie is perfect for fall. Its a simple pizza just some olive oil, garlic and a variety of creamy cheeses, with all of it topped with fragrant rosemary that lets the crusts flavor come through. Allison Babka
Photo: Provided by Fireside Pizza