I'm on my way to this but late yesterday I found out from Peter Genovese exactly what I'll be scarfing down all day.
We're going to do pizza. It's practically the state food, it makes for good pictures, we haven't done it on the Munchmobile this summer, and we can get to a half dozen or more places. I have a few in mind; if you have a favorite pizzeria, let me know and we'll go there, see how it stacks up to the rest.
That sounds like six or more slices of pizza. Here's hoping they'll be some beer to, err, cleanse the palate. Let's take bets: Star Tavern, Cosimo's, or maybe Pizzaland? Park Tavern, Cathar's favorite bar in East Rutherford? Or as my children exclaimed when I told them I was going to eat at some of the best pizza places in NJ, "you mean you're going to Pizza Hut?"
Who knows -- maybe I'll finally get a slice at this place.
To refresh your memory, one of our many pizza-related posts here. Leave comments/suggestions now; I'll try and hijack the Munchmobile to taste your favorite slice.
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Comments (34)
Why not just walk into the Gaslight Brew Pub (in pic) they have awesome beers and the food rocks!
Star Tavern all the way for a well done plain cheese, a white spinich pie and a grilled eggplant. Toss back a few Sierra Nevada's and you will be good to go! Mmmm....sounds like a good place for dinner tonight.
Star Tavern is awesome. Not only is their pizza great but the mussels marinara is to die for! Bets marinara sauce in Essex County, possibly NJ!
Kinchley's Tavern, Ramsey. It's on Franklin Turnpike after you pass Don Bosco H.S. THE BEST thin crust and beer by the pitcher. Now that you can't smoke in bars, you might even be able to breathe while you eat!
Here's a link to a review by Off the Broiler - nw who doesn't want to go there for breakfast, lunch & dinner??
http://offthebroiler.wordpress.com/2006/05/19/nj-dining-kinchleys-tavern/
nw = now
i can't make heads nor tails of this story. Really.
Hey Liz, how about you and me pick up a large pie from Villa Victoria, a bottle of Chianti from that dump of a liquor store next door, and find a nice goose-poop-free patch of Brookdale Park to have a picnic!
She's just trying to mention as many restaurant advertisers as possible, ROC. Cut the gal a break.
Barista Chick, maybe you should post something serious and momentous about tax increases or somesuch that ROC can sink his teeth into. I think he's having withdrawel from the property-tax Bachanalia of yesterday.
Why is Scooby Doo selling hot dogs?
So nice to live around great pizza. Even at its worst, our local pizza is better than the chains.
But why can't they make pizza decent outside of this area? It's fairly easy to make.
For me, I love Lodi Pizza (in Lodi).
"But why can't they make pizza decent outside of this area?"
I hear it has something to do with the water they use. Don't know the scientific explanation but for some reason, NYC-NY water is the best for making pizza crust. Whenever I go to visit my family in Oregon, fuggedaboudit! Good luck finding edible, non-franchised pizza. (They do have awesome sushi, though!)
"But why can't they make pizza decent outside of this area?"
I hear it has something to do with the water they use. Don't know the scientific explanation but for some reason, NYC-NJ water is the best for making pizza crust. Whenever I go to visit my family in Oregon, fuggedaboudit! Good luck finding edible, non-franchised pizza. (They do have awesome sushi, though!)
NYC-NJ
-a mano in ridgewood (authentic neapolitan, all other food is amazing as well)
-star tavern in orange (best bar pie ever)
-brooklyn's brick oven in hackensack
-caffe capri in east rutherford (lighter brick oven)
-ray's in verona (great heavy pizza)
I'm constantly torn between Nauna's on Valley Road and Mr. Dino's on Watchung ave.
Re: Non NY area pizza sucking.
It's definitely the water. I was in Las Vegas visiting a friend a few years ago and he took me to this AMAZING pizza place (can't think of the name). When we quizzed the chef as to how he got the pizza to taste so good to our NY/NJ accustomed tongues he told us: He has a tanker full of NYC tap water delivered every Saturday.
That also explained why a plain pie ran us something like $30.00 (but well worth it after a week of so-so Vegas versions of bagels for breakfast).
BTW...speaking of food, a bunch of us went to the Savory Cafe on Broad Street in Bloomfield for some absolutely fantastic polish food - very good, homemade, extremely reasonable prices and it's a BYOB. 8 of us ate like royalty and paid $15 per person. Very good food and worth checking out, especially the bacon/cabbage/noodle/cheese casserole and the light as a feather cabbage rolls. Definitely not a low cholesterol meal, but oh so good!!
The History of Pizza
The pizza that we know today is actually the result of a great love story. In Italy, this is a well know legend but in Naples, at the Quartiere Spagnoli, this story is a sacred patrimony that is alive in everyone's hearts.
Italy became a united kingdom in 1868 and the first Queen, Margherita di Savoia, loved the Royal Palace of Naples, most of all. The warmth of the Neapolitan people and the sunny coastal city fascinated Queen Margherita, a young girl from the north.
Before Margherita di Savoia, pizza was traditionally cooked dough flavored with condiments after baking. Brandi, a famous bakery near the Royal Palace of Naples at the Gradoni di Chiaia, sent some of their bakers to delight the newly arrived royal court with their delicacies.
The legend has it that a spark ignited between Margherita and one of the handsome young bakers. They fell in love, but she was the Queen of Italy and he was a humble pizzaiolo! What could they do? - Well - they invented the pizza that we know today, the "Margherita" or "Tre Colore" (three colors - red white & green of the Italian flag).
The official patriotic idea that the red (tomato) white (mozzarella) and green (basil) pizza was to honor the new Italian flag and Margherita, the first queen. But this was totally an excuse! It was a justification to have the pizzaiolo around in the royal palace constantly making pizzas for the royal court dinners.
Of all of the portraits of the Italian Queens in the Royal Palace, Margherita is the one who smiles the most.
Oh Liz! Do you hear? Pizza is the romance food par excellence! Do you like pepperoni?
Caffe Capri in ER is another excellent choice. That East Rutherford has both it and the Park Tavern just shows how blessed the town is by the Lord. (But in a pinch, I'd opt for the PT, beer by the pitcher helps a bit.)
Cathar: Have you noticed how pathetic the marsupial has become in his desperate plea for love and affection? I am embarassed for him.
Cathar: Have you noticed how pathetic the marsupial has become in his desperate plea for love and affection? I am embarrassed for him.
Also, the Park Tavern is fairly dark in those corner booths. Perfect for a marsupial who doesn't wish to be recognized. There's even a private party room, which for some reason many years ago was occupied by actor Rory Calhoun and some friends when I was drinking there on a Friday night; perhaps this "den" is perfect for an amative walleroo who wishes to "make whoopee." There are also sand piles in the parking lot in case he has to pee.
jealousy rears it's ugly head!
Its ugly head, HidingIn..., its. (Are you jealous others have better grammatical skills?)
A well done STAR Pizza..is heaven on a paper plate!
Star Tavern all the way!
Wow, Euterpe. I thought I was the only one in Baristaville who loved Kinchley's. I was born and raised in Bergen County, and my father lives in Ramsey. Mr. Dog Mom and I find ourselves making any excuse to go to Kinchley's when we're anywhere near Rt. 17.
However, as I now am an Essex County resident, and within walking distance to Star, I freely admit that their pizza is quite good too.
True love, Miss M., knows no shame.
It seems I am the only Essex County resident who dislikes Star Tavern and it's pizza... it's noisy, crowded, uncomfortable and the pizza is too thin and too greasy for me. I think the Town Pub or O'Neils bar pies are better! We love Ray's pizza in Verona.
It seems I am the only Essex County resident who dislikes Star Tavern and it's pizza... it's noisy, crowded, uncomfortable and the pizza is too thin and too greasy for me. I think the Town Pub or O'Neils bar pies are better! We love Ray's pizza in Verona.
It seems I am the only Essex County resident who dislikes Star Tavern and it's pizza... it's noisy, crowded, uncomfortable and the pizza is too thin and too greasy for me. I think the Town Pub or O'Neils bar pies are better! We love Ray's pizza in Verona.
It seems I am the only Essex County resident who dislikes Star Tavern and it's pizza... it's noisy, crowded, uncomfortable and the pizza is too thin and too greasy for me. I think the Town Pub or O'Neils bar pies are better! We love Ray's pizza in Verona.
After trying pizza in Chicago during many business trips there I've been spoiled ever since. I've never found pizza anywhere that I love like Chicago-style pizza. Darn, would have been better off never to have gone to Chicago. Then I wouldn't know what I'm missing.
, every other pizza is second-best now. But about a year ago a friend MAILED me a pizza from Chicago. Ah bliss.