Located in Novato, Vinny G’s Pizza and Cocktails is a new pizza restaurant opened by the Ghiringhelli family, who have successfully owned and managed multiple restaurants in the Bay Area. Walking into the building, I was immediately greeted by a friendly hostess as light chatter floated through the room, creating a very welcoming and comfortable atmosphere. The restaurant is a huge space with a large “party” room containing a vintage arcade with posters hanging on the walls. I tried the Caesar salad, the classic pizza and the Margherita pizza. 

Caesar Salad

The Caesar salad came out chopped with the option of a light pepper spread. The salad was refreshing and the croutons provided the perfect crunch.  The tossed salad ensured that the lettuce was evenly coated in dressing and topped with parmesan cheese, making this salad a nice way to start the meal.  It is the perfect appetizer for three to four people to split evenly. 

Classic Pizza

The Classic Pizza is an 18-inch New York-style thin-crust pizza topped with ricotta cheese, pepperoni, sausage, peppers, oregano and garlic with a light drizzle of olive oil. It was perfectly prepared with a bit of spice, resulting in a very tasty bite. The ingredients mixed together flawlessly, making each bite unique but not overpowering. I would definitely recommend sharing this pizza with at least one other person, due to the size and how filling each slice is.

Margherita

The Margherita is a 10-inch artisan-style pizza, also a thin-crust, but is not as enjoyable as the Classic. This pizza had an abundance of tomato sauce and in every bite, there were thinly sliced tomatoes. The sauce was plentiful, but there wasn’t enough cheese to offset it, so most bites were just bread and sauce. For this pizza, I would recommend asking for less sauce. 

Vinny G’s is a great addition to the pizza scene in Marin, offering residents an opportunity to explore thin-crust pizza. With friendly staff, quick service and plenty of parking, the restaurant creates a warm and welcoming environment. In addition to a pizza-filled menu in which you can make or choose your own pizza, they also offer a variety of desserts and sandwiches. If you’re looking for a family-friendly restaurant or even a place to meet someone for lunch, Vinny G’s is the place to be.