One other 12 months. One other roundup of a few of the greatest pies I ate. From ramps and pumpkin to crispy rooster cutlets, no topping was left uneaten this previous 12 months. 4 of my high 5 pies had been consumed within the Higher New York space, with a visitor look from out West. Let’s rely ’em down!
5) MUSHROOM PIZZA
People Pizzeria
Costa Mesa, CA
In a buying & eating complicated about one hour south of Los Angeles — just a few miles from the seashores of Orange County — you’ll discover People Pizzeria. Nestled between a boutique clothes retailer and a health middle, it may not be the likeliest of locations to search out a few of the greatest pies I’ve had in SoCal. That includes naturally leavened dough — leading to a powerful pizza bubble sport — the pizzeria options ten 14-inch pies which every feed 2-3 folks. My favourite was a mushroom pie, which got here with mozzarella, fontina, thyme, garlic oil and a powerful serving to of roasted garlic.
4) BUFFALO CHICKEN / PESTO PIZZA
Hudson & Packard
Poughkeepsie, NY
The primary “half and half” pie to ever make this record hails from the Hudson Valley. The sq. pies at Hudson & Packard rival a few of the most famous Detroit model pizza — each out and in of Detroit. Actually, it’s a borderline vacation spot pizza place that hasn’t but blown up. And probably the greatest components about it’s the truth that they’ll mix any of their choices, which led me to concoct a close to excellent mixture that includes their Firebird pie (ranch dressing, buffalo sauce, crispy rooster cutlet, crimson onion) and their PYT pie (tomato relish, mozz, pesto, aged balsamic, parm). Two nice choices for the value of 1!
3) VODKA, MARINARA, AND PESTO PIZZA
Andrew Bellucci’s Pizzeria
Astoria, NY
A battle of epic pizza proportions not too long ago happened in Queens. I’ll spare you all the small print proper now (they might proceed to develop over time) and as a substitute give attention to the mouthwatering pies being produced by Andrew Bellucci’s Pizzeria. My favourite is a play on their Vodka-Roni pie (recent Mozz, pepperoni, vodka sauce, parm, black pepper), however swapping out the pepperoni for pesto. If proprietor Andrew Bellucci is there, as he usually is, he’ll come over to your desk and grate some cheese in your pie by hand. It’s a pleasant contact.
2) RAMPS & CHEESE PIZZA
Wizard Hat Pizza
Brooklyn, NY
Is there something extra 2022 than a pop-up pizzeria within a Brooklyn bar? Most likely. However I’m a sucker for something containing ramps and this pie from the oldsters at Wizard Hat Pizza was thoughts blowing-ly scrumptious. That includes a hefty serving of ramp leaves together with a serving to of ramp bulbs, this pie is focused at these obsessive about this spring leak (responsible as charged!). Wizard Hat Pizza operates out of Any Time bar in Crown Heights, which is hooked up to a ramen spot named Names. Perhaps we will stay up for a ramen pie in 2023?
1) PUMPKIN & GORGONZOLA PIZZA
Testo
Basking Ridge, NJ
In October, I discovered myself at a fall pageant in Bedminster, New Jersey the place there have been slim pickings for meals. A cellular pizza operator appeared like the most effective guess, and boy am I glad with that call. Testo touts itself as a “Farm To Desk Wooden Fired Pizza Trailer” that usually pops up at farmer’s markets, breweries, and vineyards within the New Jersey space. There have been solely three pies on the menu on the pageant, however the one with pumpkin and gorgonzola was calling my title. The chewy Neapolitan model dough was topped with pumpkin chunks and sauce. The gorgonzola was not too pungent. And a touch of basil was the crowning glory on my favourite pie of the 12 months.
