Restaurant Review: Premier Pizza, Fremont

Backstory  

Earlier this year, I had the opportunity to have dinner prepared by Chef Robert Dasalla. I wrote about the dinner he served my wife and I in four separate posts. (Please read about the tuna course, the salad course, the halibut course, and the chicken course if you haven’t already.) In the second course, I noted Chef Dasalla was recently hired at Premier Pizza in Fremont, California and a re-launch of the restaurant was in the works. Recently, Chef Dasalla invited me to attend his soft opening: a preview of the upcoming menu changes at Premier Pizza.  

At the time, I speculated about a name change for the restaurant, but that has not occurred yet probably due to the costs that would be incurred to make that change, in addition to the intangible cost of name recognition. I find this unfortunate because the existing name does not reflect these menu additions. For the opening, my wife and I shared an appetizer, and a salad. We then ordered separate pasta dishes. They also have a kids’ menu, so we ordered a cheese pizza for my two-year-old daughter.  

Appetizer Course: Spinach Cheese Ravioli  

Spinach Cheese Ravioli

One of the things that really stood out when I tasted this dish is the basil pesto that garnishes this dish because I immediately recognized the taste after preparing a Pesto Risotto earlier this spring. The ravioli were cooked well and the marinara sauce added to the dish. My only criticism is the portion was a little small.  

Salad Course: Sesame-Ginger Chicken Salad  

Sesame-Ginger Chicken Salad

What struck me most about this dish was the plating. My wife had to take pictures on this particular evening because I forgot the camera I normally use. She had to take this one quickly, as my two-year-old daughter found the “bread sticks” irresistible. It was a well dressed  sesame ginger flavor with healthy portions of chicken. Overall a good salad.  

My Entrée: Filet and Mushroom Rigatoni  

Filet and Mushroom Rigatoni

First, please excuse my daughter’s Justin Bieber shirt and her Space Shuttle toy in the picture, but this shot displayed the dish best. The white sauce was delicious, however I would’ve liked a little less mushrooms and a little more filet in this dish.  

Mrs. DB’s Entrée: Fettuccine Alfredo  

Fettuccine Alfredo

I only had one or two bites of this dish, but I did notice the plating, as this Fettuccine Alfredo was much more colorful than I’ve seen in other versions prepared by other chefs.  

Details  

Address: 43514 Christy Street, Fremont, California 94538-3294  

(Pacific Commons Shopping Center right behind Market Broiler and next to Five Guys Burgers)  

Phone: (510) 252-0900  

Fax: (510) 252-0902  

Hours of Operation:  

Monday to Thursday 11am – 9pm  

Friday, Saturday: 11am – 10pm  

Sunday: 12pm – 9pm 

This new pasta is available for take-out, delivery and dine in (obvoiusly). When I spoke to the restaurant manager (who happened to be my server that evening) he noted that they will deliver up to a three-mile radius. I asked if they would deliver to my general area (more than 3 miles away) and he answered in the affirmative. My best advice is to call first to ask if they will deliver to your address. 

Final Thoughts  

No Baptism Evaluation, as I didn’t prepare these dishes. I have also not eaten Premier’s pizza yet (outside of my daughter’s order from the Kid’s Menu) so I cannot review it. Restaurants live and die off of repeat business so I guess the bottom line is the answer to the question Would I return? For my family, the answer is YES.  

Enjoy!