PrintSlice Pizza Club No. 8: The Report
Slice reader Conduit Design Group just asked how Pizza Club No. 8 went. So, without further delay, the quick rundown.
Numero Ocho was scheduled for this past Sunday at Coney Island. Unfortunately, so was a crappy nor'easter. Girl Slice and I made our way to Totonno's anyway, just in case any stalwart readers made the trip. Nobody did. Oh well. It turned into a soggy private date for just us two.
We knew the Cyclone would be closed, but we exited at the Surf Avenue end of the station (above) because we had to meet any prospective attendees at noon at Nathan's (below).
We hung out under the overhang of the station for a bit and took some pictures. Hey: At least we're getting some moody snaps out of this debacle, huh? Besides, it's dry under the overhang, so we chill for a bit while scoping out our route across the street. Giant puddles block the way in every direction (above). Our spirits begin to sink.
The original plan was to meet at Nathan's at noon (above) for an appetizer hot dog before heading to the Cyclone. We navigated our way across the street, dodging puddles, and waited at Nathan's until 12:15 p.m. Some other foolish souls braved the weather to hit up Nathan's, but none were there for Pizza Club—not even the scruffy hipster dudes who we pegged for possible Slice readers. We skipped dogs and saved our appetite for a pie. By this point, I was putting on a brave face (above) but was resigned to this Pizza Club being a washout.
At Totonno's, all soggy from the four-block walk, we waited for our pie, a small half-pepperoni, half-mushroom. We overheard Totonno's owner Louise Ciminieri talking on the phone: "Two pies. One to go, one to stay. No. The news media has everyone scared to go out." I guess we were the one to-stay pie of the day so far.
This is our pie. I don't know if I'll even waste any pixels describing it, since I've blabbed about Totonno's enough to last a lifetime. It was good but was missing something. I don't know what. The crust was perfectly serviceable, with no tip sag despite the possible-sog-inducing mushroom and pepperoni toppings. The upskirt is at right. Good char, no? The crust was the only thing that day that wasn't soggy. But the pie overall just lacked oomph. Maybe it was the weather and soggy spirits of the eaters. Who can say.
I'll plan another Pizza Club soon. It's been too long since I've organized a successful one. Anyone with any ideas as to where we should go is welcome to leave suggestions in the comments or email me with them.
Until next time, homeslices, hasta la pizza.
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8 Comments:
i was going to come surprise you with my daughter, but she flat refused. we stayed home and watched Everybody Hates Chris and ate pizza from Anthony's instead.
Slice norman at 2:18AM on 04/18/07
God, I miss New York pizza. I miss the charing, the thin and crispy crust, the reasonable distribution of toppings. These aren't ridiculous things to be asking for. But it's nigh impossible to find a decent slice in New Zealand (let alone any decent pepperoni, which tends to be just bland run-of-the mill salami in most joints here). Kiwi crust is always thick and gummy and it's as if a dump truck piled on the toppings. And wood-fired ovens are abundant here, it's just that no one here seems to have a clue how to use them...
Slice Will at 3:16AM on 04/18/07
Maybe the next one should be at Barosa Brickoven, the place that guy mentioned on Serious Eats.
Slice Lisa (Homesick Texan) at 2:59PM on 04/18/07
if i didn't have a previous engagement, i totally would have been there. that and if i didn't swear off pizza for a month.
Slice tien at 3:45PM on 04/18/07
I had a day off today from work, I'm a teacher and in the wake of the shooting at Virginia Tech, I was afraid to go to school as I fear my students. Well to the point, I went to Totonno's for the first time, it was nestled among auto body shops, there were hardly any customers, I went up to the counter and ordered a small pie half plain and half pepperoni and a coke. I sat at a table, the benches were a bit too narrow then waited for my food. The girl at the counter yelled out that my pizza was ready, I told her it was to stay. Ms Cimineri told me that when you order at the counter its to go, I didn't know so she got me a paper plate. I finally dug into the pizza, honestly it was not the amazing taste sensation I had anticipated. In fact L&B in Bensonhurst makes far better pizza than this place. Even the cast of the Sopranos has raved about L&B and I have to say they make the best pizza in the borough of Brooklyn, in Queens that honor belongs to Rosa's in Maspeth. In Long Island its a tie between Mama Theresa's and Cugini's.
Slice Gino at 1:53AM on 04/19/07
Sad story! I read your site regularly. Depsite the lack of company, you should feel consoled by your unflagging dedication to pizza. That's what you braved the storm for, after all. PS: I've been to Totonno's once. Good, but the environment and service (uncomfortably rammed and rude, respectively) keeps me from going back. It's rammed and slow at DiFara but at least Dom is nice as hell (and the pizza, well...to die for!)
Slice morgiano at 7:11AM on 04/19/07
Can't say a thing about Totonno's pizza in Coney Island but the UES outpost has excellent pizza and pasta as well. Just gotta endure little kiddies and their birthday parties but all in all one of the best pizzas up here (we always get a small combo pizza at lunchtime, half white and half margherita). Totonno's 1544 2nd Ave (Cross Street: Between 80th Street and 81st Street)
Slice Matt at 6:48AM on 04/26/07
I paid a visit to Totonnos, its not like a traditional New York pizzeria, where you can buy by the slice, you have to get a whole pie. I ordered one half pepperoni and half plain, to be honest, it was BLAND. There were a lot of pictures on the wall, it looked too touristy(like John;s and Lombardi's in the city) The crust was nice and crisp, but the tomato sauce had little flavor. L&B and DiFara's both trump this place.
Slice Tom at 11:18PM on 04/29/07