Simple Spring Pairings: Pizza and Drinks for Lighter, Brighter Days
Some things just go better together. Garlic and olive oil, wine and cheese, pizza and beer—these are perennial favorites for a reason.
Here at Smith & Lentz, our menu is full of simple, delicious pairings. And right now, as we hit the peak of spring, it’s the best time to experiment with light and tasty options precisely prepared to brighten your day.
Pull up a seat at the bar, sit outside on our patio, or grab a table inside for a view of what’s happening in the kitchen. Our teams are focusing on new and exciting spring menu specials these days while Kurt and I work on a few new beers fashioned with springtime in mind.
Pairings You’ll Only Find at Smith & Lentz
Some of our favorite spring combinations start with the White pizza: Ricotta, parsley, and fresh herbs (some of the more delicate things on our menu), punctuated by black pepper and shredded mozzarella. It’s creamy without being heavy, and the crisp and airy sourdough crust brings it all “full circle.” Our Kolsch is a favorite among the many pairing choices. Smooth and clean, it’s the perfect White pizza accompaniment.
For something with a distinct personality, our Spicy Marg with crushed fresh tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, Calabrian chili sauce, and basil is about as springtime tangy as a pizza gets. If wine is more your speed, the Ludes Thörnicher Ritsch Kabinett Riesling has an unexpected brightness and lift that plays really well chilies in the Spicy Marg. On the beer side, the German Pils is our recommended pairing for this one. Crisp, dry, and light-bodied, the German Pils is a great way to cool things down without getting in the way of what the perfect pizza/beer pairing is meant to do.
For the classic cocktail crowd, our Spritz (Aperol, Cava, soda water, and an orange slice) brings a light bitterness that matches the brightness of the basil and doesn't fight the heat. Good patio stuff.
A Pairing That’s Truly Kale-ing It
For a pizza topped with local goods, try the Sausage (from Bear Creek Farms) & Kale (from Harpeth Moon Farms). The richness of the sausage balances the slight bitterness of fresh kale, but when you add in Calabrian cream, lemon, and pecorino, the only thing missing is a beverage with equal character. Give the Lapierre Raisins Gaulois Gamay a whirl. Fruity and easy, it has just enough structure to hold its own. On the beer side, our Happy Hearts (rounded bitterness, a little bit floral, and slightly ‘cracker-y’) pairs very nicely with the savory notes here. When people ask us about pizza East Nashville style, this is the kind of combination we're proud to recommend.
“Red”-y for a Classic?
Our old school classic Red Pizza is simple with crushed tomatoes, garlic, oregano, chili flakes, salt, and olive oil. It’s not just for vegans, it’s an honest crowd-pleaser. We say pair this gem with our Alpine Dew lager. This beer’s delicate, almost honeyed quality with a hint of lavender plays beautifully against a good, fresh tomato sauce. It’s simple. It’s bright. Will you love it? We believe you will. If you're after the best pizza in East Nashville, one that comes without a lot of fuss, the Red with an Alpine Dew takes center stage.
Drinks for Everyone
As a pizza place that started as an East Nashville brewery, making sure everyone feels taken care of has always mattered to us. And since a lot of our customers are non-drinkers, we’ve developed a menu with plenty of NA options that won’t make you feel like you’re missing out. The Walker Brothers Kombucha, for example, is a favorite go-to for a bright, lightly tart, excellent companion to pretty much anything on the menu. The Sierra Nevada Trailpass Non-Alcoholic IPA has a little more body, which holds up nicely next to something like the Pepperoni with hot honey or our Kale Caesar. Its citrusy, piney hops and clean bitterness can cut through the richness of the pepperoni and the Caesar dressing, while its light body keeps the pairing refreshing.
And if you're asking whether dessert is worth sticking around for, the answer is an absolute affirmative. Our Malted Strawberry ice cream (like all our ice creams) is made in-house with local dairy and is about as seasonal and fresh as it gets. If you ordered the Mueller Ruprecht Rosé for dinner, hold back a glass for your dessert pairing. Delicate and easy to love, these two are a fitting end to your meal.
Stop in and try something new this week. It’s all here for you at Smith & Lentz.
