Politics is all about debate, making deals, and arguing over who has the best solution. The good news for some politicians in Iowa is that pizza can always make things better.
The Iowa House of Representatives was locked in a debate about a controversial bill and lawmakers planned to work through the day, skipping lunch, so they could get it ironed out and be ready to close deliberations for the weekend.
Nino’s of Boca Raton has opened up its second location in the spot that used to house Anna Vincenzo’s. After seeing the filming of Gordon Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares there, I knew it was only a matter of time before she would self destruct. Luckily for Boca Raton, Nino’s decided to open in its place and give East Boca a quality mom and pop place to eat at.
I went there immediately upon hearing about the soft opening. It was pretty impressive to see how many customers were already eating there, without Nino’s even announcing it. Although the place had the same decor as the previous owner (thanks to Chef Gordon) I noticed the oven was brand new. When Kitchen Nightmares redid the place, they put in this little oven that would never suffice in a busy pizza place. Nino’s owner Marco tells me that they decided to use a Marsal Pizza oven, so that their customers would always have a quality tasting pie, cooked to perfection. Another thing that you cannot help but notice, is how clean the place is. It is like they have a full time person just going around and keeping everything spotless.
This cozy shack named La Bottega in Rosyln, NY is home to panini style sandwiches as its main stay product. Today, however, I decided to try their butternut squash soup and split an artesian pizza with a friend.
The pizza is hand made and thin crust, made fresh with only the finest toppings, starting with a thick, rich and jammy tomato sauce that knocks your senses from each crusty bite to the toppings you choose. The cheese on the sausage pie is a fresh mozzarella that is feathered just right over the top of a crispy a dark bronze bottom that is not too heavy and not too light.
For all you #ChevyCrawl aficionados out there, it’s time to get ready for the first-ever Tri-County #ChevyPizzaCrawl – AND our first one of 2011! With five caliente Chevy cars and little time to spare, Chevy Pizza Crawl 4 has arrived with plans of conquering the best pizza spots in Dade, Broward and Palm Beach Counties. We’ve had so much fun in these counties individually; why not take them on all at once?
Most of you are already pretty familiar with the drill but for those newbies that are wondering how to participate, here’s how it works. Participants must be hungry pizza lovers who are ready to eat, tweet, and take pics all while enjoying cruising in Chevy’s hot new rides including the 2011 Cruze, Equinox and Tahoe Hybrid.
I thought I was being Punk’d when my slice came out. I seriously thought Ashton Kutcher was going to pop out with the cameras and the laugh was on me. But they were 100 percent serious when they brought the tray out.
Casola’s in Miami Roads is known for its free samples and “double slice” slices and but this was the biggest slice I have been served there since I started going in 1992. It was so big it was almost a garden disguised as a slice of pizza. It was so heavy it bended the tray. And it was so voluminous, it couldn’t be finished in one sitting.
But how was this slice from this mom and pop pizzeria and sub shop that has been going 30 years strong?
Not to be mistaken for El Tamarindo on State Road 84. This El Tamarindo has the same owners but no oven in Fort Lauderdale.
On this occasion I had the Broccoli Rabe special pie which has sauteed Rabe Garlic and uncased sausage. I have to admit I am partial to the Broccoli Rabe here and have to profess I have ordered it over Linguine.
This pie takes a little time because they have to saute the topping. While waiting, the waiter brings you their homemade bread and garlic laced chimi churi sauce.
No way around it, this is an oily pie!!! You cannot really help it with the sauteed broccoli on top! The first slice holds up to the overload of ingredients put on top, but you still have to eat it with 2 hands. One hand to pull the large chunks of broccoli from your teeth alone! After that the oil gets to the pie and you need a knife and fork but only for the first bite.
The pie itself is thin crusted done to perfection, slightly blackened but not burnt. The sauteed ingredients mix well with the El Grande cheese and Alta Cucina Plum tomatoes.
A side note if ordering regular pies here the sauce is wonderful but very thick and plopped on sparingly. If you want a lot of sauce order your pie with extra sauce.
El Tamarindo gets 7 out of 8 slices
Went to Pizza Loft in Davie the other day, located right outside Nova Southeastern University. This could easily be the only place that was still in business in this shopping center. Seeing how it was the sole location that was open, I was a bit reluctant to even walk into the doors, and what a mistake that would have been.
Upon walking through the door you realize just how old this place is. There are photos from the 70’s on the wall, with the original owner. Jeff Cohen who owns the place takes pride in the celebrities he has served at this spot. Usually it is a good sign when a place can survive for 30 years down here in the land of snowbirds. I went with Andy and JB, we ordered a Sicilian Pie.
The first spot in my recent pizza crawl of the South Shore of Long Island was at Mama’s Pizza Restaurant in Oakdale. Many of the locals claim this is the best spot in the area so I figured it was worth a shot. Since their were three of us, I got the slice cut into threes, but forgot to take a photo before doing so. You will have to use your imagination to think what it looked liked before the cutting.
Mama’s wasn’t very busy during the time we went, which isn’t common for a place which is supposed to be the best in town. Perhaps it was due to the snow, or maybe an off hour, but even so, there should have been more people than just us three. We ordered a regular slice, and contemplated some garlic knots, but ultimately decided to save our appetite and just get the plain slice.
After appearing on a TV show in NYC about pizza, it was recommended to me that I go across from the studio to try what the producer called his favorite pizza place. Vezzo’s Thin Crust Pizza is located on Lexington Avenue and 31st street. On this off hour that we went there was still a wait. This seemed promising to say the least. After about 10 minutes we were seated and I started to look around at what my closest tables had ordered. They all looked delicious and I couldn’t wait to get my individual pie.
Mama Theresa’s is one of those pizza places that doesn’t seem to dilute the quality with each place it opens up. Having places in Garden City Park, Westbury, and East Meadow, Mama Theresa’s pizza is worth a stop depending on where you are located. My associate took me there the other day when I was traveling through Long Island, insisting it was some of the best Sicilian around the area. I knew this would be hard to prove since places like Raimo’s and Umberto’s really make some of the best Sicilian in the area. Since we all know I am never one to say no to a slice, I went with him and tried to keep an open mind.