The Best Pizza Ever at YOLO in Melville
I’m worried that I’m going to start losing credibility soon, because whenever I discover a new pizza place, it replaces my previous fav pizza spot and the heading of my blog post is always something along the lines of my “the best pizza”, or my “new favourite pizza”. So, my favourite pizza used to be Col’Cacchio, then Toni’s Fully Furnished Pizza, then Stella e Luna, but NOW it’s YOLO in Melville.
If you’re a good enough restaurant in Joburg, you don’t need to publicise yourself. In this city, more than elsewhere in SA, word of mouth is the best marketing tool around. Joburgers love eating good food, and if you have a quality product, an okay location and a good ambiance, you’re almost guaranteed success.
I had seen YOLO come up a few times on my Twitter feed, so decided to go and check it out for myself. Located on the not so trendy part of 7th Street, the restaurant is small and unassuming, with a simple chalkboard menu and glass-blown lights.
The owner and chef, Percy Mosedi, is one of the few South Africans to have trained in Naples, Italy as a pizza master. In his words, “if it’s round and you add tomato and cheese, it’s not a pizza. What makes a pizza authentic is a wood burning oven, organic yeast and a ‘cornicione’- the raised edge of a pizza. You’re meant to eat a pizza from the middle to the edge so that the crust can cleanse your palate and prepare you for the next slice.” I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone this serious about pizza- Percy even has a wood burning pizza oven at his home, for when inspiration hits in the middle of the night.
What’s unique about YOLO is the fact that you can choose from a variety of crusts- sundried tomato and rosemary, olive, sourdough or whole-wheat, as well as bases- peppadew, tomato and chilli, or mushroom pesto.
I cannot even properly explain how good this pizza is. I equate the crust to the pizza version of pastry- flaky, not chewy. Crisp, not soggy- even in the centre. I opted for the Pizza Boscondo ‘All’ Lombardi, R84, coarsely chopped onions, mushrooms, fresh cream, parsley, thyme, ground black pepper, sea salt, smoked mozzarella shavings and grated parmigiano reggiano. I’ve been fantasising about it ever since and have already circulated the menu to my colleagues for our next Friday office lunch (the restaurant delivers within a 5km radius of Melville.)
YOLO Pizza Contact Details:
Open Mon – Sun lunch and dinner. Address: 2 7th Street, Melville. Contact 011 482 7016. Visit www.yolopizza.co.za
March 25, 2014 @ 10:03 am
Dear Hasmita
I think my laptop and phone carries a lot of germs and I know you know this too.
When you describe the pizza and post these pictures of yummy pizza, we sit at work wanting to lick our screens!
Next stop, YOLO!!
March 25, 2014 @ 10:03 am
Haha, you crack me up! Defs try it, it’s sooo good
March 30, 2014 @ 8:22 pm
Yolo Might be the best pizza in Jozi but the service is terrible. Arriving at the restaurant the waiter had no idea what a reservation was. After the owner found a scribble on a piece paper with my name on it they seated us. 20min later we got menus another 15min no orders where taken. We ended up walking out and going.
April 7, 2014 @ 7:50 am
YOLO truly has the best pizza in Joburg right now. I tried it out with a group of friends last month, we were supposed to be discussing that month’s book club read. Lo and behold, we forgot about the book and were oohing and ahhing over the amazing pizza in our mouths!
April 8, 2014 @ 12:07 am
Hey Thembalee, I completely agree, it’s delicious. However the past 2 times I’ve been there I’ve ordered takeaways which don’t taste as good by the time I get home 🙁
May 11, 2014 @ 11:16 am
The pizza is nice however the service was the worst I have ever experienced. I would never return.
May 11, 2014 @ 2:37 pm
Sorry to hear that nabeela. I’ve heard from a few ppl that the service isn’t up to scratch. I hope they sort it out soon cos great pizza shouldn’t be ruined by bad service