Lazy Leopard in Gopalapuram aims to serve classic Neapolitan pizzas with spots and San Marzano tomatoes

.Lazy Leopard in Gopalapuram is Chennai's latest pizzeria serving "almost authentic" Neapolitan pies. With a slow fermentation process, the trattoria offers a range of pizzas, breads, coffees, antipastis, soups, fried chicken wings and more. Fresh ingredients, including Mozzarella cheese made in-house, are used. The wood-fired oven pizzas have a light, fresh, slightly charred and mildly sour crust. The menu also includes a watermelon and feta salad in a drink, Triple basil mojito and Calzones with apple pie fillings. A meal for two costs ₹1500.

Lazy Leopard in Gopalapuram is Chennai’s latest pizzeria that aims to serve “almost authentic” Neapolitan pies. The pizzas here have spots. While this clarifies the leopard part, “Why lazy?” we ask. To which Kanishk Dhupad, consulting chef and owner says, “Our pizza dough is allowed to ferment for more than five days — a slow and lazy process.”

The trattoria, which can seat 50, has indoor and outdoor settings, exposed brick walls, wooden chairs and tables, an open pizza kitchen with a teal-tiled wood fired oven. As non-intrusive Italian tunes are cued up, guests come in groups to share the most-shareable dish over selfies and conversations. 

While pizzas and breads are the primary focus, there are a wide range of coffees, antipastis, soups and fried chicken wings as well. “The key aspect that makes an eatery a trattoria for me is the fresh ingredients that are used. We make our breads, most of the cheese, hot sauce and spice mixes every day,” explains Kanishk. 

We first try the Caprese garlic bread to taste the fresh Mozzarella cheese which was made in house. There are generous juicy slices with pieces of basil and a balsamic drizzle laid on soft Italian bread slices. It is fresh and creamy with sharp notes from the basil and balsamic reduction. 

Then comes the chicken wings. We sample the garlic parmesan tartufo wings which is served in a smoke-filled cloche. They are juicy and tender with a deep flavour from the truffle oil. These wings are one of their bestsellers and vegetarians can also have these flavours as alternatives are made with cauliflower florets. We try the peri peri option for which the seasoning is made in house. It is sharply spiced, tangy and mildly sweet. 

On our Italian voyage, we stop at Tuscany before heading to Naples to try the Tuscany shrimp. It comes with a creamy, buttery sauce which is coloured and flavoured with tangy sundried tomatoes and spinach. 

We finally get to the pizzas that Kanishk hopes can make Lazy Leopard one of the best pizzerias in the country. “There are only a handful of pizzeria’s in India that are get close to being authentically Neopolitan and we aim to put Chennai on the map,” he says, reminding us that only two pizzerias from India have made it to the list of Asia’s top 50 best pizzerias.