Crucial news from Planet Pizza. American chain Pieology has launched the first of many planned stores in China, this one near the Shanghai train station. According to this industry magazine, Pieology's "novel menu items targeted to Chinese pizza lovers include but are not limited to Bamboo Charcoal Thin Crust and kimchi as a topping option." Kimchi? Is that Chinese? Don't expect anything traditional from Pieology. Their thing is "California pizzas" with a ton of customizable options. Second store opens next week. In other news, Joe's Pizza has confirmed they will expand to Yanping Lu in Jing'an district; they just signed the lease, so wait a few months for that. Also in Jing'an, Pizza Street, popular for their vegan pie, has opened on Beijing Xi Lu. Finally, The Camel Group is getting into the pizzeria business (well... D.O.C.), taking over the former Pain Chaud space on Yongkang Lu for new pizzeria and bakery and spritz shop La Baracca. A preliminary menu I've seen included a roasted pumpkin and goat cheese option; maple apple and blue cheese with bacon; and a chorizo and manchego. That opens softly, quietly, gently, this month.
