At Mumbai’s new Italian restaurant, Level 1 Pizzas, sourdough pizzas get a gourmet touch

Pizza Margherita at Level 1 Pizzas, Bandra, Mumbai.

If you have had gourmet sourdough pizzas, chances are that you won’t go back to regular ones anytime soon. Restaurateur Suren Joshi and his posse of chefs headed by Chef Richard D’Souza, are among the few in the city to introduce a range of gourmet sourdough pizzas, at Bandra’s newest little Italian place, Level 1 Pizzas at Joshi House, as they feel strongly about healthy food.

Most of the ingredients they use are high-end, including a truffle Picante sauce, cream cheese as a base, smoked Norwegian salmon, vegan cheese, fresh exotic mushrooms like portobello, shitake, and milky. The menu offers an assortment of six options each of vegetarian and non-vegetarian gourmet pizzas.

“What makes these pizzas special is the long-drawn-out process of creating them,” Chef Richard tells us. “It’s a big trend these days as people are appreciating sourdough over regular breads because of the whole process of self-activation without yeast. It takes almost two days to get the fermentation of the dough right. Another 24 hours to proof, and we use almost no-yeast for the dough, so you get a nice crust all around with a lot of air pockets,” he adds.

Pesto, Burrata, Fig and Caramelised Onion pizza at Level 1 Pizzas, Joshi House, Bandra, Mumbai.

The Pesto Burrata, Fig and Caramelised Onion pizza is a surprise at first with the texture and burst of flavours with the creamy savouriness of the cream cheese, the peppery spicy flavour of arugula leaves balanced perfectly with the sweetness of the figs and caramelised onions.

The light, airy, crispy crust all around the Truffle Mushroom pizza with shiitake, portobello and trumpet mushrooms topping, is a delight. The Smoky Salmon with its caper salsa and truffle oil, has just the right amount of everything and while one wonders about the unusual combo of fish and pizza, it wins you over from the first bite, especially if you love salmon.  One could also try the Bolognese and the Spicy Diavola pizzas. Each captures the essence of Italian nuances.

Suren says, “My interest has always been in consuming healthier foods, and we tried to do the same with the pizzas we make through the use of sourdough for the base. I believe our pizzas will hit the spot for those looking for niche and healthy options.”

Chef Richard at Level 1 Pizzas, Joshi House, Bandra, Mumbai.

With Bandra already having more than enough eateries and multiple pizza outlets, we ask Suren why another pizza outlet. What inspired him to come up with this? “The inspiration behind Level 1 Pizzas came from our two years of success with sourdough naan and kulchas at Joshi House. The rave reviews for these dishes encouraged us to think beyond and venture into the world of pizzas. Over the last six months, we embarked on a culinary journey to create something special. We aimed to offer Bandra West a taste of truly exceptional and healthier pizzas, and that's why we chose sourdough as the foundation for our thin crust pizzas. Our mission is to provide distraction-free, top-notch pizzas that exceed all culinary expectations. We believe our pizzas hit the mark for those seeking niche and healthy options. It's all about balance between indulgence and well-being, and Level 1 Pizzas reflects that philosophy by using high-quality, imported ingredients and a range of thoughtfully curated wines and wine cocktails to complement the flavors,” says Suren.

Smoky Norwegian salmon pizza at Level 1 Pizzas, Bandra.

Architect Ashiesh Shah has created an intimate ambiance at Joshi House’s Level 1 with its limited seating capacity. As you walk up to the staircase in the white courtyard leading to Level 1 pizza, you'll discover a charming balcony dining area that's perfect for intimate meals. The view of the massive red wood-fired oven that infuses each pizza with a signature smoky charm, sits at the heart of the kitchen and is visible through a window as you walk up to the first floor. The narrow hallway leads to an intriguing elephant safari bar, adorned with monochrome murals. The small bar offers a thoughtfully curated collection of wines and wine cocktails and needless to say that they enhance the flavors of every pizza on the menu.

At Level 1 Pizzas, Joshi House, Bandra, Mumbai.

Is one oven enough to cater to all orders during a busy evening,  we ask and Suren says, “We have an intimate ambiance, with a seating capacity of 24 guests. This also adds to the charm of the place, making it ideal for a quiet evening with loved ones or a gastronomic Italian adventure.”

Meal for two: Around Rs 2000 plus, without alcohol.