NYC Trip 2012 Wrap Up

Our week in the Big Apple was incredible, and once again the wonderful world of New York pizza has left us excited, inspired, motivated, and most of all, uncomfortably full.  Although we almost certainly didn’t hit everyone’s favorite pizza joint, we hit as many as we could and had such a blast doing it.  We are proud to be part of the rich culinary history that is New York style pizza, and are excited to be back in Austin with some new pages to add to the textbook.

As soon as we landed at JFK we hitched a ride to L&B Spumoni for some much needed Sicilian pies and adult beverages.  This place is so rich in history and pride.  Everywhere you go in this part of Brooklyn, cabbies, bodega attendants, and just about everyone else under the sun will tell you stories of going to L&B when they were kids.  Its such a cool place, and is always dependable for some good conversation with some locals.

What else would we do after gorging ourselves with pizza and beer but ride roller coasters?  This is not for the faint of heart, or body for that matter, kids.  Coney Island is another place that immediately transports you to another time;  A time when  six fresh clams and a soda cost a dime, and the Cyclone was the eternal summer dream.  Although the prices may have changed since the first carousel was opened in the park in 1876, the magic of Coney Island certainly hasn’t.  If you’re in the area, don’t forget to go see our friends down at Totonno’s.  This is the home to one of our favorite white pies in the entire universe, and they’ve been making it the same since 1924!

Dinner on our first evening came from the always incredible Lombardi’s Pizzeria.  One of the (if not the) oldest pizzerias in the world, Lombardi’s continues to impress us every year.  Their homemade ricotta cheese is out of this world, and they have been cooking their pies in the same oven since 1905!  This place is the perfect end to a long day in the city.

Day two started with some INCREDIBLE sandwiches from Parm, formerly known as Torrisi, which has since branched out into dinner service.  There are simply no words to describe the perfection of these sandwiches.  The turkey roll continues to blow us away every year, and the chicken parm is not far behind.

After a day spent scouring the city for Sicilian slices and new clothes, the team was off to Staten Island and Denino’s Pizzeria and Tavern.  This place holds a very dear place in the Home Slice family’s heart, and never ceases to be one of the most comfortable and welcoming places we visit.  Denino’s has been family-owned since 1937, and they make sure you leave happy every time.  If you go there, be sure to try the wings, you won’t be sorry you did!

Day three brought us to uncharted territory, venturing into New Haven, Connecticut for a visit to Pepe’s Pizzeria.  This place has been doing it the same way since 1925, and it did not disappoint.  If you make it to Pepe’s, don’t miss the clam pie (bacon optional), and the white pie with spinach, mushroom and gorgonzola.  This was yet another place where we were treated to incredible service.  A table for 19 in a place that holds roughly 40 is no small task, but they made it feel like it was nothing.  If you ever happen to be in New Haven, don’t miss Pepe’s.

Our final day in the city took us to Harlem, and Patsy’s Pizzeria.  Patsy’s is old school (est. 1933), and has a way of making you feel like you’re in the middle of a mafia movie.  There are countless celebrity pictures hanging on the walls and they are able to cook their pies in a mind-blowing 2 minutes!!  This is certainly a place to check out if you are in the neighborhood.

“The Last Supper” went down at the lovely Ristorante Rubirosa. They crafted a menu tailor-made just for us!!  Our final dinners are our opportunity to wrap up our trip, relax, and really enjoy our last evening together.  Rubirosa was the perfect host, never letting a wine glass go empty, being incredibly hospitable, and of course knocking our socks off with some incredible Italian cuisine.  All hand-crafted pastas and sauces made to order make for an incredible dining experience.  Everything on the table was awesome, but you can’t go wrong with the rigatoni or eggplant parmesan, both of which were incredible!

The week, as most do, went by much too fast. New York opened her big arms to us once again, and we gladly accepted the love.  Home Slice group 2 will be headed back in just a couple of weeks, after which you can expect more exciting news and pictures.  Till then, keep your parm shakers high and your wine glasses full!!

-RB