Bigalora Wood Fired Cucina

Southfield, MI

Unlike its Royal Oak location, Bigalora in Southfield is situated in a fairly nondescript commercial block off of Northwestern Highway. Mercifully, the inside of said establishment is much more inviting; save the slab of prosciutto that greets you just past the host stand.  (Don’t be too impressed with my meat identification skills, my carnivore friend actually had to tell me what it was.)

Just past the Italian dry-cured ham (had to look that up too), there’s a warm, open kitchen. I always appreciate an open kitchen format, where the chefs are visible and (hopefully) smiling. Really, who wouldn’t be giddy being surrounded by the aroma of pizza all day? We snagged a nice table near the window, a bit away from the hustle and bustle of the rather large lunch crowd. And while our server seemed annoyed at our very presence, the overall vibe of the place was quite warm. And you know me, I prone to love any place that has a vegan cheese on the menu.  

While my dining companion was deciding between “chicken wings or greens” (really, you can’t make this stuff up), I opted for the minestrone soup to start. I’m a big soup eater in the dead of Michigan winter and found this pasta and veg blend rather hearty. I’ve never been accused of being an over salter (except right after I watched Salt Fat Acid Heat. My salt application “wrist wag” went a little haywire for bit after that. Samin Nosrat, I am not…yet), but this soup needed a little pick me up. I stopped short of adding hot sauce, my other somewhat-less-discreet go-to flavor boosting move. Regardless, I’m keen on any restaurant offering a vegan starter that isn’t a salad. I eat more greens at home than a Nebraska heifer, so I tend to select more varied items when out and about.

I’m a lifelong fan of choose your own adventure books (The Mystery of Chimney Rock, anyone?) and pizza, so I customized my pie with their vegan curst, vegan cheese, onions, and Brussel sprouts. I find no greater joy than consuming well prepared brussels. In a salad, as an app, on a pizza… wherever and whenever, I am always game. And boy oh boy, I wasn’t let down today! These flash-fried brussels carried this pizza. Sure, I had to take pretty massive bites to ensure that I got a Brussel morsel in every bite, but my company didn’t mind. He was attacking his steak and onion pie in the same manner. You see, tasty food really can unite the world. Or in this case, a vegan and a carnivore. 

So, I’ll be back. I’ve got the next visit all mapped out - double down on those magical brussels and perhaps, find a friendlier server.