Posted by Adam Kuban, September 23, 2008 at 1:30 PM
Michael Angelo's II
29-11 23rd Avenue, Astoria NY 11105 (b/n 29th and 31st streets; map); 718-932-2096 Pizza Style: Ultra-thin crust New York–style Oven Type: Conventional steel-deck gas oven The Skinny: Make sure to order the "thin-crust pizza." There's a regular crust, but the thin is seriously the way to go
I spent a large part of the weekend in Astoria and had a nice couple a slices while there. I had some squares from Rose & Joe's Italian Bakery, which were good (and which Slice has covered here), but what I really want to focus on are the slices at Michael Angelo's II, just around the corner from the more widely heralded Rose & Joe's.
I've slept long and hard on Michael Angelo's II. My friends Dan and Katie, who just moved out of the neighborhood, told me about MAII so long ago, and it hasn't been until this year that I've really given it much of a chance.
I think that may be because it's on the other side of the LIRR overpass, and when I get off the train at Ditmars to visit friends, I have no need to go south toward 23rd Avenue—and because like I said, I typically go to Rose & Joe's.
Anyway, I've had Michael Angelo's II about four times now. Twice as cooked-to-order whole pies and a couple times slice-only.
What really sets Michael Angelo's II apart is the thinness of the crust. This is some seriously thin pizza, which is always a plus in my book. Check it out:
Make sure to order the "thin crust" pizza; there's also a regular crust pizza (more along the lines of what you're used to as a New York–style crust), but the thin is the thing to get here.
The cheese is applied just a little too thick, but there's adequate sauce to balance that out. Still, the crisp-chewy crust stands up well to the abuse. There's nice color in that crust, too. Peep the upskirt:
I also had a grandma slice there, which I didn't like as much as the regular plain slice. The sauce distro was a little too thick in the center of the slice, but that often seems to be the case with grandma slices. Many pizzerias seem to get creative with the sauce application on these pies, making diagonal lines of it or plopping on an extra helping of the red stuff as pictured here:
And here's the upskirt of the grandma slice for you to peep:
So far, with all the pizza-eating I've done in the northwest corner of Astoria, Michael Angelo's II, for regular slices and regular pies, has vaulted into the top of the pops for the area. But for square pies, I'd still stick with Rose & Joe's.
Ha - thanks for the love, Adam. I saw the pictures appear on your Flickr account and wondered if you were going to finally give them the review they deserved!
I didn't eat at Michael Angelo's as much as I would've liked before leaving Astoria, but I will miss it being an option. More consistent than Forno Italia, undoubtedly.
They also had a pretty amazing antipasto plate when we at in the restaurant last, but that was a few years back.
(And for whatever it's worth, the train tracks over the Ditmars station are Amtrak's, not the LIRR's.)
@masha339: I want to do an Astoria slice walk, but, damn, the neighborhood is HUGE. Would take me a week of walking, I think.
@Dan: I'll correct the info. Forgot that it was Amtrak. I love that overpass. It's so cool to see trains zooming overhead like that -- both Amtrak and MTA. Thanks for the MAII tip!
Having grown up in Astoria and still return to visit family and friends on a regular basis I would have to say that Grand Avenue Pizza on 30th avenue and 35th street is by far one the best in Astoria
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4 Comments:
I love Michael Angelo's II! That's always where I order from. Love to see Astoria represented!
masha339 at 2:31PM on 09/23/08
Ha - thanks for the love, Adam. I saw the pictures appear on your Flickr account and wondered if you were going to finally give them the review they deserved!
I didn't eat at Michael Angelo's as much as I would've liked before leaving Astoria, but I will miss it being an option. More consistent than Forno Italia, undoubtedly.
They also had a pretty amazing antipasto plate when we at in the restaurant last, but that was a few years back.
(And for whatever it's worth, the train tracks over the Ditmars station are Amtrak's, not the LIRR's.)
Dan Dickinson at 2:41PM on 09/23/08
@masha339: I want to do an Astoria slice walk, but, damn, the neighborhood is HUGE. Would take me a week of walking, I think.
@Dan: I'll correct the info. Forgot that it was Amtrak. I love that overpass. It's so cool to see trains zooming overhead like that -- both Amtrak and MTA. Thanks for the MAII tip!
Adam Kuban at 4:57PM on 09/23/08
Having grown up in Astoria and still return to visit family and friends on a regular basis I would have to say that Grand Avenue Pizza on 30th avenue and 35th street is by far one the best in Astoria
SteveZ at 8:47AM on 09/24/08