My thanks to Tampa Bay Times Food Critic Laura Reiley for her article back in February that alerted me to the possibility of great wood fired pizza in downtown St Pete. This past Saturday I started the morning with a wonderful walk to benefit Southeastern Guides Dogs in Vinoy Park. Loved the tasty food trucks that lined the waterfront from Keepin’ It Reel, American Weiner, Maggie on the Move (can you imagine Baklava Flapjacks?!) and Kona Ice. By the end of the morning, they all had pretty much sold out, and I hope we see even more join us next year.

   But since I never do get a chance to eat when I’m working, I waited until evening to take my friends Read, Lorie, Alicia and Steve out to explore what Laura had enticed me downtown to try – Wood Fired Pizza and Nightlife, right next to World of Beer at the corner of 1^st Ave South and 4^th St in St Pete. We all enjoyed perfectly cooked pies right from the wood fired oven in the corner and have already decided to come back and check out the cheese plates we had no room to sample by the end of the night.

   Ladies choice for the night was the Fine Pie ($16 Pizzetta with 10 slices, $18 Grandi), with artichoke hearts, San Marzano Sauce, spinach, fresh mozzarella, our personal choice to substitute pancetta versus the fire roasted sausage on the menu, along with Pecorino Romano and organic herbs. From that first delightful mouthful to the last crumb, I was completely pleased with our selection. The guys went for a classic pepperoni, also a home run, and the Michaelangelo ( $16 Pizzetta, $18 Grandi). That was also an epicurean pleasure with the San Marzano sauce, fresh mozzarella, caramelized mushrooms and onions, pepperoni, organic herbs and Pecorino Romano. There were no leftovers, and we even ordered an appetizer of their cheese wedges, which looks like a fantastic cheese pizza, that would put any garlic bread to shame.

   No one said they had room for dessert, but I ordered the cannoli and few other forks dove in for a taste; nice, cinnamon cream filling and delicious wafer roll. You can even order the cream separately as your dessert. Love that.

   Total for the five of us for the night with tip ran about $120; the service was excellent, the atmosphere fun, and the evening a pleasure. Outdoor dining and reservations accepted, and you’ll love a few of the special touches on the menu. Try Nesquick in chocolate, vanilla or strawberry, the Mexican version of Coca Cola which is supposedly better than the American recipe, which I had no clue you could mess with, and if you enjoy a fine cigar, the Wood Fired Hand Crafted Cigars.

   This is Peter Taylor’s second location; the other is in Tampa on Bearss. Oh, and if you decide to stop in at World of Beers next door, you can order a pie from there as well. Enjoy, and let me know what your experience was at Wood Fired Pizza. Ann Kelly is ready for seconds! Like them on Facebook for more info. The web site is currently being updated to include the Tampa location. My thanks for Romo, one of the GM's in St Pete for his assistance.

WORDS OF WISDOM FROM KELLY’S KITCHEN

Ideas are like pizza dough, made to be tossed around. Anna Quindlen