Crust and Crate recently opened a second location in Gloucester after their success with the first location at Landsdowne. The restaurant was created by George Hanna, the owner of Gabriel Pizza that has been opened for almost 40 years and has 35 locations across Ottawa. Wanting to something different he created Crust and Crate that specializes in Al forno-style pizza (crust) and craft beer (crate).
Crust and Crate has an industrial theme, with exposed light bulbs, open ceilings, corrugated steel walls, and stacked crates that decorate the floors and ceilings. Throughout the restaurant airport code, marquee signs light up the restaurant, such as SFO, and JFK.
Al forno-style pizza is pizza that has been baked, and at Crust and Crate they have a large pizza oven right at the front of the restaurant that responsible for the slightly crispy pizza dough. The menu also offers a vast assortment of pizzas, along with other pub classics such as burgers, tacos, and fish and chips.
The pizzas are sold as individual sized pizzas, but I found them the perfect size to split with someone. The pizzas at Crust and Crate have a small dough bubbles that provide a small crunch to the pizza. I tried out the Mass Appeal, as I love a margarita pizza, which was had a nice slightly crispy crust but I wish it had more basil. The fish and chips were outstanding, and like the pizza the portion was huge so go in hungry, or skip an appetizer.
With plenty of seating and a large outdoor patio at the new east-end location Crust and Crate is the trendier version of Gabriel Pizza, and is perfect for those looking to try their newer gourmet pizzas.