Posted by Adam Kuban, September 30, 2008 at 2:00 PM
Clicking in to the Slice inbox today, we've got some criticism of UPN.
Just had dinner there Sunday evening for the first time. Is that really supposed to be some of the best pizza in New York? Because all three of us were just totally underwhelmed. The crust was tasteless and soggy where it wasn't unpleasantly burned, and except for some nice cherry tomatoes, the toppings were nothing special. My friends were visiting from D.C. and wanted some really great pizza, so we trekked over there at my suggestion. I must admit I was mortified. Yuck!
Take out of town guests to places you've already visited, preferably more than once. Orient yourself to a few choice dishes. On UPN specifically, I was there last week and the pizza was brilliant as always: Crust delicious, sauce vibrant, all elements unified harmoniously. They don't use any toppings. Try Vinny Vincenz for New York slices.
I also recently visited UPN for the first time due to all the talk on Slice about it. I wish I would have read about it more, the cost for 3 pies and 4 drinks was over $100! It was good but not worth the money...my friends that I brought to this place were mighty pissed they could not have sausage on their pie too. My fault for not reading into this place a little more.
I too am shocked by these reports, cybercita. I am hosting an event there next Saturday, and I am counting on UPN to deliver the goods, pizza-wise. I have eaten there 20 times at least in the past, and it has always been great.
Going to a place you've never been before with a group is always a mistake. As for my girlfriend and me, we went to Una Pizza a few weeks ago and it was divine. Perfect blend of everything. Definitely didn't miss the toppings! Though I will say that Franny's in Brooklyn (thanks, Adam, for the recommendation!) gives Mr. Mangieri a run for his money.
@Ed Levine Don't worry, I'm not gonna ask for my $85 back. I'm still tryin' to figure out though how you are gonna serve Totonno's pizza at UPN. You gotta eat that stuff right out of the oven. I'm also interested to see if the tatooed uber pizzaiolo will tell me that the pizza oven I built on my property ( http://www.flickr.com/photos/pauliegee/sets/72157603296443911/ ) is my version of a midlife crisis Harley.
I was there about a month ago and it was as delicious as ever. I've never been disappointed at Una.
Paulie Gee - I was wondering about that Totonno's pie myself. I mean maybe it could work if it was one of the Manhattan branches and you rushed them down to Una by cab, but even then you lose something.
@ayyappan I agree about it losing something. And I've never found those East Side pies to be as good as the Coney Island original anyway. I can't imagine AM letting a Totonno's pie be cooked in his oven. And that wouldn't be authentic anyway. We'll see.
hey! everyone is entitled to their opinion, but i really think that most people don't "get" it. and i would never apologize for a superior pizza. it's ok if you grew up enjoying pizza hut. some people go to mcdonalds for hamburgers.
hey moesizlacks, plenty of us do get it. We've been to all the great places. A lot of us think UPN isn't up there with them. Quit comparing people not liking UPN to the people that prefer McDonalds. It reeks of food snobbishness.
UPN has always been spot on when I go, the only problem is it is too far across town for me to go as often as I'd like. Luckily, looks like I am maybe a month away from having Co. pizzas down the block from me. Hope it rocks too.
Thanks for commenting! Your comment has been accepted and will appear in a moment.
Add a comment:
Previewing your comment:
HTML Hints
Some HTML is OK: <a href="URL">link</a>, <strong>strong</strong>, <em>em</em>
Comment Guidelines
Post whatever you want, just keep it pleasant. We reserve the right to delete off-topic or inflammatory comments. Learn more at our Comment Policy page.
Print
Just had dinner there Sunday evening for the first time. Is that really supposed to be some of the best pizza in New York? Because all three of us were just totally underwhelmed. The crust was tasteless and soggy where it wasn't unpleasantly burned, and except for some nice cherry tomatoes, the toppings were nothing special. My friends were visiting from D.C. and wanted some really great pizza, so we trekked over there at my suggestion. I must admit I was mortified. Yuck!
17 Comments:
Uh oh. I just recommended it to a friend of mine in DC who's visiting soon.
"Mortified"? Wow. I almost want to go back to see for myself -- hard for me to believe.
s4xton at 2:37PM on 09/30/08
Take out of town guests to places you've already visited, preferably more than once. Orient yourself to a few choice dishes. On UPN specifically, I was there last week and the pizza was brilliant as always: Crust delicious, sauce vibrant, all elements unified harmoniously. They don't use any toppings. Try Vinny Vincenz for New York slices.
johngreek at 2:53PM on 09/30/08
I also recently visited UPN for the first time due to all the talk on Slice about it. I wish I would have read about it more, the cost for 3 pies and 4 drinks was over $100! It was good but not worth the money...my friends that I brought to this place were mighty pissed they could not have sausage on their pie too. My fault for not reading into this place a little more.
dnb101 at 3:10PM on 09/30/08
I went to Una Pizza a couple of weeks ago and the crust was insanely thick. Delicious, as always, but just way too thick. Out of character.
Raphael at 3:10PM on 09/30/08
I too am shocked by these reports, cybercita. I am hosting an event there next Saturday, and I am counting on UPN to deliver the goods, pizza-wise. I have eaten there 20 times at least in the past, and it has always been great.
Ed Levine at 3:15PM on 09/30/08
Going to a place you've never been before with a group is always a mistake. As for my girlfriend and me, we went to Una Pizza a few weeks ago and it was divine. Perfect blend of everything. Definitely didn't miss the toppings! Though I will say that Franny's in Brooklyn (thanks, Adam, for the recommendation!) gives Mr. Mangieri a run for his money.
Keith W. at 3:24PM on 09/30/08
@Ed Levine Don't worry, I'm not gonna ask for my $85 back. I'm still tryin' to figure out though how you are gonna serve Totonno's pizza at UPN. You gotta eat that stuff right out of the oven. I'm also interested to see if the tatooed uber pizzaiolo will tell me that the pizza oven I built on my property ( http://www.flickr.com/photos/pauliegee/sets/72157603296443911/ ) is my version of a midlife crisis Harley.
Ciao,
Paulie Gee
pauliegee at 4:53PM on 09/30/08
I was there about a month ago and it was as delicious as ever. I've never been disappointed at Una.
Paulie Gee - I was wondering about that Totonno's pie myself. I mean maybe it could work if it was one of the Manhattan branches and you rushed them down to Una by cab, but even then you lose something.
ayyappan at 5:14PM on 09/30/08
@ayyappan I agree about it losing something. And I've never found those East Side pies to be as good as the Coney Island original anyway. I can't imagine AM letting a Totonno's pie be cooked in his oven. And that wouldn't be authentic anyway. We'll see.
Ciao,
Paulie Gee
pauliegee at 5:28PM on 09/30/08
I'd love to see A.M. cook a Mama Celeste frozen pizza in his oven. Maybe Ed should bring one to the event.
Adam Kuban at 5:33PM on 09/30/08
grumble
Prairie at 10:46PM on 09/30/08
go check out citysearch reviews on this place. This is nothing new.
benlee at 3:28PM on 10/01/08
hey! everyone is entitled to their opinion, but i really think that most people don't "get" it. and i would never apologize for a superior pizza. it's ok if you grew up enjoying pizza hut. some people go to mcdonalds for hamburgers.
moesizlacks at 11:00PM on 10/01/08
hey moesizlacks, plenty of us do get it. We've been to all the great places. A lot of us think UPN isn't up there with them. Quit comparing people not liking UPN to the people that prefer McDonalds. It reeks of food snobbishness.
benlee at 12:20AM on 10/02/08
Due to the nature of the oven at UPN, you'll occasionally get some blisters of overcharring. It happens. Eh.
But the crust shouldn't be soggy. Not like some other places where they oversauce and the crust is too thin. If so, then something is wrong.
As for the toppings issue, I guess you should have looked at the menu online, huh?
kathryn at 2:07AM on 10/02/08
And if you wanted toppings, you should have gone to Luzzo's! They have some nice, out of the ordinary ones.
kathryn at 2:09AM on 10/02/08
UPN has always been spot on when I go, the only problem is it is too far across town for me to go as often as I'd like. Luckily, looks like I am maybe a month away from having Co. pizzas down the block from me. Hope it rocks too.
Big B at 3:24PM on 10/02/08