🏡 Homemade Pizza: Because You Deserve Better 🍕

Let’s be honest: going out for pizza sounds fun—until you’re seated at Doppio Zero between two toddlers reenacting a banshee exorcism while their dads scroll TikTok on full volume. Ah yes, the sweet sounds of “authenticity.” But guess what? You don’t have to brave that scene to enjoy perfect Sicilian-style pizza. You can make it at home, where the only flying objects are bits of dough you accidentally yeeted across the kitchen. 🧑‍🍳✨

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At Ava’s, we carry “Double Zero” flour—that’s 00 flour if you’re fancy—which is imported straight from Italy. What’s the big deal? Oh, just that it’s ground finer than that one coworker's opinions about olive oil. This superfine grind gives you a dough that’s soft, elastic, and easy to stretch, so you can toss it like a pro and maybe impress someone in your kitchen (or at least your dog). The result? That pillowy-soft, crispy-bottomed, chewy-middled crust that makes you say “Mamma mia!” without even trying to be ironic.

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And let’s talk sauce. Real, authentic Italian pizza sauces—like the ones we stock at Ava’s—are made with San Marzano tomatoes, which grow in volcanic soil near Mount Vesuvius. That’s right, lava tomatoes. They’re lower in acidity and higher in natural sweetness, which means they taste like actual tomatoes instead of “generic red sauce #4.” No added sugar, no weird thickeners—just pure tomato glory, the way Nonna intended. 🍅🔥

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Now for a pro-tip: before you bake, brush the crust edges with a little olive oil and crushed garlic. Then hit it with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt. Why? Because it crisps up beautifully in the oven. And because garlic is nature’s way of telling your mouth “you’re welcome.”

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So skip the restaurant chaos (and the bill). Make pizza night your own—complete with stretchy dough, real-deal sauce, and zero chance of someone throwing crayons under your seat. Your oven’s calling. 🍕💥

🍅 Pizza Toppings: From Margherita to Madness 🍌

So you’ve got your dough all stretched, your sauce lovingly slathered, and now you’re standing there like a toppings DJ asking, “What vibe are we spinning tonight?” At Ava’s, we’ve got more options than a Silicon Valley startup has buzzwords—from classic meats to wild vegan creations, and local produce so fresh it might still be emotionally processing the harvest.

Need some inspiration? We got you:

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• Classic Margherita 🍅🧀
  ​The OG. Just fresh mozzarella, sliced heirloom tomatoes, and hand-torn basil. It’s what happens when Italy says, “Let’s keep it simple and blow your mind anyway.”
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• Hawaiian (No Shame Zone) 🍍🥓
  ​Yes, we said it. Pineapple and nitrate-free vegan bacon. Sweet, salty, and endlessly controversial. Invented by a Canadian. Liked by a surprising number of people who hate admitting it.
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• The South Bay Shroom Trip 🍄🌿
  ​Local (Far West Fungi) shiitake, crimini, and oyster mushrooms with truffle oil, garlic confit, and a dusting of vegan parmesan. Pairs well with existential dread and a glass of pinot noir.
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Feeling Brave? Let's Go International 🌎:

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• Japan 🇯🇵: Mayo, corn, and squid. Yep. It’s a combo called “Mayokōn” that’s wildly popular and weirdly addictive. Sweet, creamy, briny… don’t knock it ‘til your mouth says so.
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• Sweden 🇸🇪: Banana curry pizza. The Swedes said, “What if pizza was also a tropical vacation?” and then they did it. Curry sauce, banana slices, ham. It’s warm, spicy, and oddly comforting.
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• Brazil 🇧🇷: Green peas. Just… peas. Brazilians love adding peas to pizza the way Californians love adding “artisan” to things. It’s a national treasure.

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Moral of the story? Pizza is a blank canvas, and your tastebuds are Picasso—a slightly eccentric Picasso who really, really likes garlic. 🧄🍕

😋 What's on Juan's Plate? 🍛

This week, Ava’s very own fearless leader, Juan, dug through the shelves, fridges, and overflowing freezers to craft a lovingly wonderful meal—made entirely from the bounty of Ava’s. It’s part art, part fridge Tetris, but fully seasonal genius. Behold:

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• A bed of mixed greens, peppery and soft, like a salad that went to finishing school
• Pieces of Smart Chicken breast (ethically raised, deliciously named, still not quite smart enough to avoid being dinner)
• Warm rice, for that earthy, belly-hugging comfort
• A tumble of local fruit: fresh Blenheim apricots, plums, and juicy, candy-sweet pluots
• Crumbled goat cheese for tangy chaos
• And on the side? A glass (okay, two) of Campos Reales Tempranillo, that rich, ruby red from La Mancha, Spain—home of windmills and winemakers with extremely passionate opinions about soil.

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Not only is this meal healthy and delicious, it’s made with stuff Juan literally found while walking the aisles after hours like a culinary raccoon. That chicken and fruit? Technically past “sell-by.” Still perfectly tasty, juicy, and safe to eat! Insider secret? Those dates are mostly made up. (Shh… don’t tell the yogurt lobby.)

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To all our wonderful newsletter readers—from Juan and the whole Ava’s crew—thank you for keeping our little downtown store alive, quirky, and full of life. We’re so lucky to be part of the Mountain View community, and we wouldn’t trade you for all the Tempranillo in Spain. (Okay, maybe for a barrel… but it'd have to be a big one.)

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¡Salud! 🥂 See you soon at Ava’s. ❤️

Upcoming Events​
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• Every Wednesday, 5-7pm — 🎵 Music on Castro​
  ​Enjoy live performances right in Downtown Mountain View! Come for the tunes, stay for the vibes, and don’t forget to swing by Ava’s to grab dinner from Poké Bowl or Simply Sabor, or just pick up a box of cookies to munch on while you vibe to the music like a very classy raccoon. 🎶🍪🦝
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• Every Friday, 6-7:30pm — 🎵 Concerts on the Plaza​
  ​Didn’t get your full music fix on Wednesday? Perfect—because Friday night, Concerts on the Plaza is bringing the beats that make lawn chairs bounce and dads attempt the moonwalk. 💃🕺 Stop by Ava’s first for a snack, a chilled drink, or a quick wine tasting to fuel your feet and unlock those secret dance moves.
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• Thu, July 24, 5-7pm (ish) — 🍺🍎 Cider Tasting​
  ​Join us for a "Sincere Cider" tasting—where a former event‑promoter-turned-cider‑guru bottles crisp, dry apple elixirs blended with fancy French yeast and cheeky flavors like Pine‑Apple and Granada. Gluten-free AND vegan? Must be CA local!
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• Thu, July 31, 5-7pm (ish) — 🍺 Beer Tasting​
  ​Free beer tasting with the legendary Anderson Valley Brewing—because nothing says “community bonding” like sipping craft brews near the kale. 🍻 Come for the beer, stay for the awkward eye contact with your neighbors over a crisp IPA.
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• Tue, Aug 5, 5:30-7:30pm — 🚓 National Night Out​
  ​Eat a free popsicle, high-five a firefighter, and pretend you understand how municipal government works 🧊🔥📋. When you’re done drawing weird stuff on public pavement in front of several cops nodding in approval, roll into Ava’s for groceries and some gentle air conditioning.