The Associazione Pizzaiuoli Napoletani, the Italian "pizza police" (they certify pizzerias as being authentically Neapolitan), is opening a restaurant and pizza school. It will be called Kesté Pizza e Vino and hopes to be open by the end of February, according to the New York Times.
And then, according to an email I just got from Roberto Caporusico at the Associazione itself, "Down the road we also expect to have classes for nonprofessional 'pizza lovers.'"
That would mean you and me, folks.
What up with the name? Caporusico explains: "Kesté (spelled 'cheste é') means 'This is it!' in the Neapolitan dialect."
271 Bleecker Street, New York NY 10014 (between Jones and Cornelia streets; map)
Maybe it's like the difference between the police and the sheriff's dept. ;)
I'm going to start the VNYPA: Verified NY Pizza Association. That's a racket right there. I could travel to self-described NYC-style pizzerias throughout the country and certify them as authentic NYC pizza, charging thousands of dollars as I go. Maybe this will be my second revenue stream to gird against Depression 2.0.
How do I answer this?
If we look at Vera Pizza Napoletana as the FBI ....we could look at the APN as the CIA ...
Serious answer?
Both associations have the mission of preserving the Authenticity of Neapolitan Pizza ...the approach is slightly different.
APN is more focused on the training and certification of the pizza-makers.
Vera pizza certifies the pizzeria itself.
At the end of the day it is very likely that a pizzeria certified from Vera Pizza has a Pizza-maker that belongs to APN ...
Roberto: Thank you! That's not confusing at all. That's a great clarification. For the record, the "pizza police" thing is just a joke. You do good work!
i have met these guys a few months ago and am looking forward for their new restaurant. they're good people with the best intentions.
while i am at it, i will shamelessly promote my pizza credentials at http://www.pizzaandcoffee.com/
turn up the volume !!!!!
Gianluca
@akatkin: Sort of odd, but sort of not. Neapolitan and NYC coal-oven are totally different beasts. If you had a hankering for one style on a given night, I don't think the other style would be an acceptable alternative.
Roberto: To echo Adam, the FBI was a joke as well. Thanks for the clarification. And I agree about the good work, as evidenced by the great job you did getting A.Mano off the ground.
Roberto I'm so happy you're back in the game ...and few blocks away from my apartment ... I still can't believe I use to come all the way to Ridgewood, NJ and now your pizza will be few blocks away from my apartment ...
In regard to the question NY pizza or Neapolitan Pizza, I agree they are two differerent things. There are good and bad NY Pizza as there are good and bad Neapolitan Pizza. they are just two different things!
It's like coffe. There is Regular Coffe and Espresso.
They are both coffee and they both can be good, but they are two different things.
I live on Cornelia, so I am eagerly awaiting the pizza that comes from here. There is a huge photo posted in their window of two flour covered hands cradling an authentic, mouth-watering pie the likes I have never seen outside of Italy.
We had it good here before with Bleecker St. Pizza, John's, and Joe's all within a couple blocks of each other. I don't know if I have just gotten jaded, but the slices at these places haven't been satisfying me as much. Bleecker St. makes their Nonna too soggy and the crust is like a cracker. Joe's regular slice is decent, but the margherita lacks character.
I am excited to be excited about pizza again! I can't wait for them to open up classes to the public. I will be first in line.
Hey Simon, That comment is not appropriate.
You can't just throw out Camorra like that.
These guys are good people and Camorra wouldn't even agree with your association. You certainly wouldn't say that about another racial group for fear of serious retribution. But you are stepping in dangerous waters with Camorra. This isn't the movies or the NY times. they don't play around.
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16 Comments:
If the APN are the pizza police, then who are these guys, the pizza FBI?:
http://www.verapizzanapoletana.org/vpn/vpn_frames-index.htm
Ciao,
Paulie Gee
pauliegee at 8:01PM on 01/05/09
Maybe it's like the difference between the police and the sheriff's dept. ;)
I'm going to start the VNYPA: Verified NY Pizza Association. That's a racket right there. I could travel to self-described NYC-style pizzerias throughout the country and certify them as authentic NYC pizza, charging thousands of dollars as I go. Maybe this will be my second revenue stream to gird against Depression 2.0.
Adam Kuban at 8:04PM on 01/05/09
I think you are on to something there, Slicemeister. Seriously.
Ciao,
Paulie Gee
pauliegee at 8:12PM on 01/05/09
How do I answer this?
If we look at Vera Pizza Napoletana as the FBI ....we could look at the APN as the CIA ...
Serious answer?
Both associations have the mission of preserving the Authenticity of Neapolitan Pizza ...the approach is slightly different.
APN is more focused on the training and certification of the pizza-makers.
Vera pizza certifies the pizzeria itself.
At the end of the day it is very likely that a pizzeria certified from Vera Pizza has a Pizza-maker that belongs to APN ...
Confusing enough?
roberto Caporuscio at 12:02AM on 01/06/09
Roberto: Thank you! That's not confusing at all. That's a great clarification. For the record, the "pizza police" thing is just a joke. You do good work!
Adam Kuban at 12:31AM on 01/06/09
Do you think the average New Yorker cares about certifications? If its good they will be loyal, if not things could get ugly.
nhfoodie at 9:13AM on 01/06/09
i have met these guys a few months ago and am looking forward for their new restaurant. they're good people with the best intentions.
while i am at it, i will shamelessly promote my pizza credentials at
http://www.pizzaandcoffee.com/
turn up the volume !!!!!
Gianluca
nextgospel at 10:00AM on 01/06/09
Anyone else think it's odd that they're planning on opening up directly across the street from John's?
akatkin at 11:49AM on 01/06/09
@akatkin: Sort of odd, but sort of not. Neapolitan and NYC coal-oven are totally different beasts. If you had a hankering for one style on a given night, I don't think the other style would be an acceptable alternative.
Adam Kuban at 11:53AM on 01/06/09
Roberto: To echo Adam, the FBI was a joke as well. Thanks for the clarification. And I agree about the good work, as evidenced by the great job you did getting A.Mano off the ground.
Ciao,
Paulie Gee
pauliegee at 12:46PM on 01/06/09
Gianluca, Considering your indictment of pizza in America, I'm surprised you lowered your standards and drug yourself over here to read this blog.
Raoul Duke at 4:08PM on 01/06/09
Wow ... Finally !!!!
Roberto I'm so happy you're back in the game ...and few blocks away from my apartment ... I still can't believe I use to come all the way to Ridgewood, NJ and now your pizza will be few blocks away from my apartment ...
In regard to the question NY pizza or Neapolitan Pizza, I agree they are two differerent things. There are good and bad NY Pizza as there are good and bad Neapolitan Pizza. they are just two different things!
It's like coffe. There is Regular Coffe and Espresso.
They are both coffee and they both can be good, but they are two different things.
Coccodimamma at 8:21PM on 01/06/09
Nice, the Camorra will have a shiny storefront in the city!
simon at 5:53PM on 01/08/09
The ignorance and stupidty in Simon message does not even deserve a serious answer.
Coccodimamma at 1:50PM on 01/09/09
I live on Cornelia, so I am eagerly awaiting the pizza that comes from here. There is a huge photo posted in their window of two flour covered hands cradling an authentic, mouth-watering pie the likes I have never seen outside of Italy.
We had it good here before with Bleecker St. Pizza, John's, and Joe's all within a couple blocks of each other. I don't know if I have just gotten jaded, but the slices at these places haven't been satisfying me as much. Bleecker St. makes their Nonna too soggy and the crust is like a cracker. Joe's regular slice is decent, but the margherita lacks character.
I am excited to be excited about pizza again! I can't wait for them to open up classes to the public. I will be first in line.
mspaeth at 2:21PM on 02/03/09
Hey Simon, That comment is not appropriate.
You can't just throw out Camorra like that.
These guys are good people and Camorra wouldn't even agree with your association. You certainly wouldn't say that about another racial group for fear of serious retribution. But you are stepping in dangerous waters with Camorra. This isn't the movies or the NY times. they don't play around.
nextgospel at 9:27PM on 03/29/09