Bricks Neapolitan Pizza Offers Handcrafted Italian Fare

With a mod vibe, fresh food and and a wine list large enough to satisfy the inner sommelier in all of us, , owned by Kevin and Heidi Bordenave, may be the only place in the St. Croix Valley to get certified authentic Neapolitan pizza. 

What's Neapolitan pizza, you say? Greasy, rubbery pies, they aren't. Made with fresh tomatoes, Mozzarella cheese, wheat flour, Neapolitan yeast, salt and water, Bricks' pizzas use hand-stretched dough and cook in a blazing-hot volcanic rock oven that delivers an Italian feast in less than two minutes.

"We're making pizza the way they've made it for hundreds of years," Kevin Bordenave said. 

Bricks' menu features numerous unique items such as wrapped asparagus (asparagus wrapped with Mozzarella and proscuitto topped with a balsamic sauce), mista salad (spring greens, artichoke hearts, sliced cherry tomatoes, bacon and parmesan cheese with vidalia dressing on the side) and the grilled cremoso panini (pesto, ham, ricotta cheese and Mozzarella on muffoletta bread). Another unique item is le pizze bianco—white pizza. 

"We want people to try new things," Bordenave said. 

Bricks has a low-key, relaxing feel with dimmed lights and warm decor. Large enough to hold quite a few customers, this eatery is small enough to feel like you're almost part of the staff or watching someone cook in your own home. Most tables have a great view of the kitchen. 

"It's not a chaotic environment," Bordenave said. "We want customers to enjoy themselves and relax."

Looking for a place to spend your lunch break and make some headway on your inbox? Bricks opens at 11am each day and provides free WiFi to their patrons. 

My personal favorite: Bricks' early bird special. I'm 26 years old. The phrase "early bird special" doesn't usually make me jump up and down with excitement, with the exception of Bricks' special. Each day from 4-6 p.m., customers receive a free glass of house wine (or a salad, if you're into greens) with any pizza purchase. 

Bordenave's menu pick?

"My favorite pizza keeps changing. Currently I like anything with arrugala. What's interesting is I never get tired of pizza. We're in our sixth year of owning Bricks," Bordenave noted.