Where to go: Pi, inside Sun King Spirits taproom and distillery, 351 Monon Blvd., Carmel
What to get: Figgy Piggy
Price: $12
From Pi, I chose the Figgy Piggy. Pi’s pizzas are a personal-sized pizza that also can be shared. The Figgy Piggy consists of mozzarella, goat cheese, fig jam, mushrooms and prosciutto with a heap of arugula in the center of the pie, all atop a thin, crunchy crust. The pizza is baked in a wood-fired oven, which creates a lightly charred crust. The goat cheese brings forth sweet notes that mellow the pizza and complements the fig jam and saltiness of the prosciutto. The arugula provides a fresh, nutty flavor that tops off the pizza. The crackle of the crust complemented the richness of the overall dish.
Because the dish is so rich, with a hint of tartness from the jam, I recommend sharing it with one of the other pizzas that Pi offers, such as the Pineapple Express, which includes pineapple, ham and sea salt, and a meat lover’s pizza, among other varieties.
Suggested pairings: A pint of Osiris Pale Ale ($5). The beer makes a good pairing because it it’s a paler, hoppy beverage with a slight acidity that cuts the richness of the prosciutto on the pizza and harmonizes with the greens.