Dining in Maine: Flipside, Brunswick, ME

Good news:  The pizza at the newly opened Flipside in Brunswick rocks.  In fact, it's so good that I anticipate craving several of the well-designed pie creations of Chef Bob Haggerty.

Bad news:  I live in Atlanta.  Therefore, the logistics of getting a slice are a bit complicated.

Until recently, we had few good pizza choices in Atlanta, and although we are getting closer with the addition of Antico, Vesuvius, and others to the dining scene, I still find myself missing 'real pizza', the kind of pizza I could get as a kid growing up in New England.  On the other hand, I enjoy the proliferation of 'designer' toppings and more innovative combinations.  Flipside perfectly masters this intersection of old and new with a traditional crust (although the sprinkling of sea salt is a nice touch) paired with unique, fresh, and local toppings, served at the stylishly restyled restaurant at 111 Maine Street in Brunswick.

I tried several of the pies yesterday at the opening event, and two have the potential to be late-night cravings:  the chorizo, and the bbq chicken.  The chorizo pizza works without much description:  chorizo, mushrooms, cheese.  What is most surprising about my love of the bbq chicken pizza is that, along with Hawaiian-style pizza, this combination is usually at the bottom of my list.  Flipside's is different, and better:  the smoked chicken is perfectly shredded (no weird chicken chunks), the ancho barbecue sauce is smoky and a bit spicy (and not too sweet), and the addition of bacon adds the perfect saltiness to the mix.  Topped with a blend of cheeses, this pizza works.

I should probably disclose that I know Bob personally, so I am not a completely unbiased reviewer.  That said, until now I've never found a slice of pizza worthy of writing about.  I wonder how long until Flipside on the Southside opens--I'll be waiting for it in the ATL.