Monday, August 4, 2008

Totonno's Pizzeria Napolitano




"BEST PIZZA in NEW YORK" Who?

There's always a big debate on who makes the "Best Pizza in New York City." It's never ending, and with the World of Youtube and Blogs, the coverage that Pizza and the Pizza Parlors of New York is absolutely "Astronomical." Hundreds of people comment on Pizza and New Yorks Pizzerias every single day. Who has the "Best Pizza Overall," who has the "Best Slice" in town, who makes the best Coal Oven, the best wood, or the best gas fired Pizza? Who? Firt-off, when it comes to, which city in the United States of America makes the "Best Pizza," this is the "Easiest Thing on Earth." There is no contest!!! It's "NEW YORK." Everbody knows it. For Pizza, when it comes to the "BEST," there's no place else!!! There's ONLY "New York."

So, who has the "Best Pizza in New York." Now that's not so easy, but there's Lombardi's, Totonno's, Di Fara, Patsy's, and John's (Bleecker Street). Well, "I Love them all, but I have two that are most dear to me, and they are "John's," of which I have been going to for over 25 years, and Totonno's that I discovered about fifteen years ago.

They both make absolutely "Perfect Pizza." They both have "Monster Coal Fired Ovens" that reach temperatures of up to 1,000 degrees and give the crust that perfectly cripy blistered finish that any "Great Pizza" must have. The Clssic Pizza Margherita has a perfect balance of ingredients of dough, tomato, mozzarella, olive oil, and Pecorino Romano and cooked to "perfection."

"Totonno's Pizzeria Napoltano," I won't argue with anyone that it might be the Best of New York.

If you wonder why we use the words "perfect" and "best" so many times in this report, its just that no other words would fit when you are talking about; John's Pizzeria, Totonno's, Lombardi's, Patsy's and "New York Pizza." They're perfect and they are, the "Best" Pizza in the country. "Take that Chicago."

Thursday, July 31, 2008

KEITH RICHARDS LIKES IT !!! Artichoke Pizza




"Artichoke Basille's Pizza Taste Like Campbell's Cream of Mushroom Soup"


Well, I finally made it over to Artichoke Pizza. I wanted to like it, "I really did." I sorry to report, It's on par with Chicago Deep Dish, Mediocre to Good at Best. Just as Chicago Deep Dish "Artichoke Pizza can't hold a candle to the Best of New York, places like Tottono's, John's, Lombardi's, and Patsy's. These places make some of the best Pizza in the "World" Forget about these places, "Artichoke Pizza" is inferior to most "Runof the Mill" Pizza Parlors. The Pizza is very flawed. First off, the crust is awful, way to dense as it is not "proofed" long enough and feels like a ball of lead.

I arrive there, and sure enough, there was a line. The place looked pretty cool, "Nice Decor." I was excited and hoping for the best, like a reaally good to great slice of Pizza. Unfortunately, I was highly disapointed. I waited about ten minutes and got my slice, "The Artichoke." Man it was big. It looked really impressive. If found a place to sit on the "Stoop" of the building next door and bit in.

What a "Suprise." I couldn't beleive it. "It tasted "EXactly like Campbell's Cream of Mushroom Soup," something I Loved, but handn't tasted in years, "Cream of Mushroom Soup." If nothing else, "Artichoke Pizza" brought back memories of my childhood.

I have to say, I know these guys are trying hard, but this Pizza Just Can't Cut the Mustard. It's mediocre, and I've got to say, "These Guys are Lucky as Hell to be putting out just a fair product, and making a small fortune doing it.

FACTS ABOUT "Artichoke Basille Pizza" Americans and Keith Richards

1) the "Artichoke Slice" taste like Campbell's Cream of Mushroom Soup
2) Keith Richards likes it. "We Love Kieth, but what does he know about Pizza?"
3) Many people like "Artichoke Pizza" In fact many Love it.
4) Many Americans also like such awful garbage like; "Hip Hop," Soup Operas, and
Sitcoms. That doesn't make them good.

Sunday, July 27, 2008

Old New York and its Old Time Bars

I guess many have gone by the wayside but you are still able to find "old New York" in a few wonderfully preserved Old Bars. Mostly all of these wonderful Landmark establishments are below 23 rd Street. The "Landmark Tavern" standing on the corner of 46th Street and 11th Avenue is the one exception. "Pete's Tavern" in Gramercy Park on the Corner of Irving Place (street named after resident Washington Irving) and 18th Street claims to be the longest continually running bar in New York. They opened their doors in 1864 and have been serving liquor ever since to this very day. They did not even stop during Prohibition as they were a Speakeasy disguised as a Flower Shop. "Fanelli's Cafe" on the corner of Prince and Mercer Streets in Soho claims that they have been serving food and liquor since 1847 McSorley's Ale House has been operating at 15 East 7th Street since 1854. There are just two options of things to drink here, McSorley's Light or Dark Ale of which they have served the likes of Abraham Lincoln, Teddy Roosevelt, and John Lennon. They make great Liverwurst and Onion Sandwiches and you can get a nice plate of Grafton Cheddar Cheese served with Saltines and Hot Irish Kustard (Mustard). "Peter McManus" on the corner of 7th Avenue and 19th Street in Chelsea is often overllooked when it comes to great old New York Bars. The decor is old and as well preserved as any of the others. they make good burgers and Cheese Steak Sandwiches. The "White Horse Tavern" at 567 Hudson Street is a old Greenwich Village favorite that since they opened their doors in 1880 has served Jack Kerouac, Norman Mailer, Bob Dylan, Jim Morrison, and Dylan Thomas who after drinking a "Record" 18 Whiskies, was rushed to St. Vincents Hospital where he died from Alcohol Poisoning. "Yes he drank himself to death." The "Old Town Bar" has been operating at 45 East 18th Street since 1892 and had Teddy Roosevelt who lived just a few blocks away as a regular.

Friday, July 25, 2008

"Raoul's" New York's Best Bistro


Raoul's, "COOL"

Best Cool French Bistro in New York

When it comes to Bistros in New York City, there is one that stands alone. No other can touch it. "Raoul's" on Prince Street in Soho is far and above any other Bistro in all of New York. The total combined elements of Ambiance, Food, Music, Service, and combined Vibe, just can't be beat. Raoul's is just plain "Cool." They serve some of the best Foe Gras in the city, along with a famous "Steak au Poive" and other Bistro Classics, along with the cool well-worn decor and the a great blend of music like; The Rolling Stones, Miles Davis, Edith Piaf, and Best of All, "No Hip Hop."

At "Raoul's" they know what they are doing. They should, they've been doing it for some 30 years, and the way the do things, we're sure they'll be around for a long time to come.

RAOUL'S 180 Prince Street, Soho NY, NY (212)966-3518 www.raouls.com

Pricing: on the Expensive Side