Midici: Columbia’s Neo-est Pizza Place

Date nights are a necessity for my Saturdays. Between work, errands, social commitments, and, let’s be honest, attempts to make some room for that vital ‘me-time’, date nights are a chance to unwind with the person closest to me. They’re chances to get all dressed up, and they usually involve the promise of new and tasty food (for me, anyway). Honestly, that might be the basis of their appeal.

After an extensive and demanding battle, Midici, a new pizza eatery in Columbia, was last Saturday’s winner in the weekly “where to eat for date night” debate. After Googling the menu and conducting my own secondary research beforehand (yes, I’m that person), I can safely say that Midici surpassed my expectations.

While I was initially discouraged about the line that started at the door (at 5:30!), it was nice to spend my wait time watching everything going on in “the heart” of the restaurant, the central structure that houses the ovens, kitchen, and bar. Salivating, I got to closely observe the cohesion and detail that each employee used in the creation of my personal pizza, and no more than five minutes after finding my seat, my pizza was carried out to me.

I consider myself a pizza connoisseur of sorts (read: I eat a lot of pizza), and I must say Midici inched to the top of my list. Midici specializes in Neapolitan pizza, something I had previously never tried, so I stuck with their best-selling margherita pizza. Midici’s signature dough is made of only four ingredients: non-GMO double zero Neapolitan flour, water, sea salt, and yeast. The pizza itself was appetizing, and the thin crust left me full without feeling like I needed to jog eight miles the next day. It helped that the prices were reasonable — and this is coming from someone who is new to ‘adulting’ and growing ever more conscious of where my dollars are spent.

Midici’s atmosphere had a high-end yet cozy feel, which attracted people in attire ranging from active wear to Sunday’s best. In my jeans, blouse, and sandals, I didn’t feel overdressed or underdressed, which was an unfamiliar and satisfying feeling. I also felt an overwhelming sense of intimacy. Not in a Nicholas Sparks-y kind of way — everyone there just seemed to be surrounded by family and friends, enjoying each other’s company.

It could be the full stomach talking — or, more likely, the wine — but the ambiance and pizza combination left an impression. 10/10, would recommend.