Home Run at Division Food Trucks with Pyro Pizza and The Dog House

Capping this week off with a fabulous food truck experience, Dan and I visited the Division St. food trucks this past Friday eve.  Never disappointed by their bounty, we were on the prowl for fresh wood fired pizza we noticed last time we were there.  

Pyro Pizza - Taking note of their fresh wood fired pizza oven and the beautiful, crusty pies they turn out, Dan and I had our eye on the prize.  It's great to see that the pizza is made to order, of course, so it takes a few minutes to cook but it's all worth it.  There's plenty of other things to get at nearby food carts that you can snack on in the meantime, which is what we did.

Fennel Sausage - Dan got us a fennel sausage pie to share and it more than delivered both on appearance and taste. Boasting a beautiful blistery crust and thoughtfully composed toppings of homemade tomato sauce, spicy local fennel sausage and thin slivers of red onion, the flavors in this pizza shone bright.  We loved how light and airy it was, the dough bejeweled with air bubbles that made it fluffy like a cloud, allowing us to eat lots of it.  In terms of portion size, it was perfect--filling us up but saving room for dessert at the same time.

The Dog House - Specializing in hot dogs, sliders and tater tots, The Dog House will tickle your comfort food bone and then some.  The tater tot offering is simply amazing, as besides the classics, you can top your tots with virtually anything from a fried egg to avocado.  Their creations offer up a new take on an old favorite, which is enjoyed by kids and adults alike.

Sweet Potato Tater Tots - Getting a side of sweet potato tater tots was a good idea, especially since they were homemade and double fried.  I loved the size of these things, as they offered up the perfect little bite and were highly poppable.  Biting into one revealed a bright orange middle, showing off some hand grated deliciousness.

Service and Cost:
As I already mentioned, both foods I just described were made to order and therefore entailed a bit of wait time, but it was all worth it.  It behooves you to stay close to both carts, as they shout people's names out when the food is ready, so you want to make sure you don't miss it.

Costs are affordable for both things and you can walk out of there full for under $20!

3 Mmmms

Pyro Pizza & Dog House PDX - SE 28th Avenue and Division Street, Portland OR 97202
pyropizzacart.com

facebook.com/timbersdoghousepdx

Best Pizza in Oregon (so far) is at Double Mountain Brewery

This past weekend, Dan and I took a little road trip to the Columbia River Gorge, which we haven't been to in a few months.  We missed our scenic road trips that we decided to visit the Vista House in Corbett and then drove another half hour east to Hood River.  There, we had our eye on the prize, which was trying out Double Mountain Brewery and their legendary pizza.

Atmosphere:
Located in the heart of Hood River, not far from the waterfront, Double Mountain Brewery is a popular go-to spot for visitors and locals alike.  While the brewery isn't as scenic and spacious as Full Sail (also located in Hood River), its charm comes through in other ways.

You'll find both indoor and outdoor seating here and even on a scorcher of a day like last Saturday (temperatures hit almost 100 degrees), there were still people dining outside with their dogs.  The interior is extensive and offers both casual bar-side seating as well as more traditional tables, which we chose to occupy.  Even though there's a little bit of a wait during lunchtime, it moves pretty fast and we were pleasantly surprised to be seated just 10 minutes after putting our name on the list.

Food:
We knew why we came, which was of course for their famous pizza and this is exactly what we ordered.  Also observing the generous portion size, we knew that splitting one pie would be just enough to fill us up.

The Salami Pie - When we saw the word Olympic Provisions in the description of this pizza, we were so in!  As you see above, the whole thing was also generously sprinkled with fresh peppery arugula, which added a nice dose of earthiness to this hearty pie.  Dan asked to add a little bit of fresh mozzarella to this already delicious combo, which the staff was happy to accommodate.  The end result was spectacular and so memorable - from the blistery crust to the fresh tomato sauce and those magical salami slices.

Service and Cost:
More than impressed with the service, not only was our waiter quick, he was knowledgeable, pleasant and there when we needed him.  Even during a busy dining time, he was totally on the ball and we felt that everything from the time it took to bring out our pizza to refilling our water and beer glasses went off without a hitch.

Costs are moderate to a little expensive, but completely worth every penny for what you get.  The pizza set us back $20 which is a lot for a pie, but the portion is nice and large and even gave us a little bit to take home.

3 Mmmms

Double Mountain Brewery - 8 Fourth Street, Hood River Oregon 97031
541.387.0042
doublemountainbrewery.com

Fire and Stone is Even Better the Second Time Around

Last night was the second time Dan and I visited a neighborhood pizza joint, Fire & Stone and once again it was a success.  The first time was with friends, Bethany and Oscar and we properly indulged in three different pizza pies.  This time around, we diversified a bit and had a few veggies first and then split a pizza too.  

Atmosphere:
Being a true neighborhood establishment, Fire & Stone is located in the Beaumont Wilshire part of Northeast Portland.  Although situated on the popular NE Fremont Street, Fire and Stone is set off a bit from the main commercial area that rests between 42nd and 50th Ave.  Our neighbors mentioned it used to be an old market/convenience store which has certainly come a long way now.

The interior of the restaurant reflects the restaurant's theme, which is all about wood fired goodness.  With the oven being the focal point, it's clear that they make their pies in an authentic way and the wood that you see stacked outside fully proves it as well.  In terms of seating you'll find a combination of roomy wooden booths as well as traditional two and four-top tables.  Together, it creates a cozy, casual atmosphere that's perfect for spontaneous or planned neighborhood dining.

Food:
It's impossible not to try the pizza here, even though their other menu items sure look enticing.  Since we tried nearly half of their pizza options last time, Dan and I decided to go with the daily pizza special and some veggie options to round out the meal.

Veggies - Going with the roasted beets and the crispy potatoes, we weren't disappointed with either choice.  The potatoes were a hearty option that definitely satisfied our hunger quickly and we were pleased to see their well-done browned exterior.  A bed of red pepper mojo that served as their dipping sauce was unusual but very delicious, reminding me of Ajvar, a typical Serbian red pepper dip I'd have in Astoria for example.

The beets were also tasty and cooked nicely, producing a slightly tender texture on the inside and still pleasantly firm on the outside.

Pizza - The day's special pizza sounded unique so we decided to go for it.  Dan noted that it can be either really awesome or a disaster, as it seemed almost too ambitious.  Studded with their fresh tomato sauce, braised pork belly strips, cooked clams and various seasonal veggie goodness such as little pieces of garlic stems, the combination worked beautifully.  Creating a lot of bright, seasonal flavors, it was unlike any pizza I've had and despite its richness of ingredients, it tasted very light.  The crust of the pizza was executed well, boasting a nice char on the outside, with an overall crunchy (not soggy) texture.

Drinks - Fire and Stone features a rich menu of cocktails, which Dan took advantage of while I went for something non-alcoholic.  Loving all the options in this department, I chose the strawberry lemonade drink, which you can see above.  Doesn't it look yummy? Mixed with fresh lemon juice and strawberry puree, it's a nice mix of sweet and sour flavors that felt very refreshing on a hot summer eve.

Service and Cost:
We couldnt've asked for better service last night, and were helped by a wonderful waitress who anticipated our every need.  She was kind and attentive, and even brought our friend's dog, a bowl of water without us even asking.

Costs are moderate, providing good value for the high quality of food and drinks you're getting.  Our bill set us back around $45 including tip for 2 apps, 1 pizza and two fancy drinks.

3 Mmmms

Fire and Stone - 3707 Fremont Street, Portland OR 97212
503.719.7195
fireandstonepdx.com

Let's Light This Candle - Great Pizza and More at Roman Candle

Recently, Fooditka and I went out for dinner with two friends of ours to Roman Candle Baking Co. on Division St. in Southeast.  I know I'm playing the role of broken record here lately, but once again, the pizza that we tried was excellent.  More than just a pizzeria, however, Roman Candle also does breakfast and lunch, in addition to a wide variety of baked goodies.  Fooditka wrote up the breakfast deliciousness a few weeks back if you're curious.  As I'm pizza boy, I will stick to what I know.

Atmosphere:
Roman Candle's layout is relatively straightforward.  There is one very long communal table in the center of the dining area right when you walk in, as well as several smaller tables arranged throughout.  The register is towards the back, between the pizza and the glass bakery cases that show off all the delectable looking treats.  The restaurant is well situated on a part of Division St. that is heavily populated with other restaurants, bars, theaters and sweet shops.  It fits right in.  The decor presents a pretty clean look, with the heavy wooden tables balanced out by gleaming white tiles that back the food counter.  You order at the counter, take your beverages and a number, and then sit down and wait for your food.

Food:
Obviously, pizza.  But unlike the multitude of Neapolitan style pizza restaurants in Portland, Roman Candle is Roman style pizza, meaning bigger square slices, almost like Sicilian, but not quite as thick.  They do what they do quite well, and there is a wide array of options from which to choose. They also have a bunch of different antipasti and salads to whet the appetite before you dive face-first into pizza.  As we are grown-ups these days, we did the responsible thing and ate our vegetables.

Salads - We ordered three salads for the four of us: A veggie plate made up of lentils, Brussels sprouts, and radicchio among other ingredients; a Farro salad with carrots, pistachios, dates and ricotta; and a Misticanza salad, made with farm greens, Asian pear, caperberries and pancetta.

They were all great.  My personal favorite was the Misticanza.  The pancetta was delicious, obviously, and the greens and pears as well, but the highlight was the caperberries.  I'd never had one before, in fact, I'd never even heard the word, but they were fantastic.  Tart and tangy, they had an almost pickled taste, and a very interesting texture.  I'm guessing all the seeds inside were actually capers, just tiny ones, as the berries are probably picked before they reach their full size.  The farro salad was also very good, again the texture of each bite was terrific and the pistachios, dates, and ricotta all mingled very well.  O.K., enough about the salad.  On to the pizza.

Pizza - We ordered four slices to share between the four of us.  They were big, square slices cut from huge rectangular pizzas, and the four pieces we got plus the salad was plenty of food. The four varieties we opted for were the mushroom, the pepperoni, the meat-lovers, and the daily special.  They were all very good to excellent, and surprisingly, my favorite was the mushroom slice.  I say surprisingly, because I don't really like mushrooms.  However, there weren't a ton of them, and the rest of the slice was essentially a white slice, with ricotta on the mozzarella and no red sauce.  For whatever reason, it just worked really well.  Each slice goes between $6-$8.00, which sounds pretty pricey, but again, they are very substantial, and all the ingredients are quite good.

Another interesting note: the pizza is served with giant metal scissors with which to cut it up.  I'd never seen this method before, but it is incredibly effective.  Literally, you can snip off any size piece you'd like with phenomenal precision.  The advantages to this method are two-fold.  We all got to try every different variety on the table, and the fact that you can cut your pizza into bite size pieces basically ensures it will all get eaten.  Personally, I can always eat just one more bite of anything, especially pizza.  Thankfully, Gianni is of a similar mindset, so I didn't have to polish off all that pizza by myself once the ladies decided they'd had enough.

Service and Cost:
As Roman Candle is another order at the counter and then go sit down kind of place, our interaction with the staff was limited, but they were as cheerful and friendly as any place I've been in Portland.  As far as cost, $8.00 a slice and $12.00 per salad obviously isn't cheap.  However, the quality and quantity of the food was well worth the price, and I'm sure I'll be back soon.

3 Mmmms

Roman Candle Baking Co. - 3377 S.E. Division St Portland, OR 97202
971.302.6605
romancandlebaking.com 

Ken's Artisan Pizza - Another Jewel in Portland's Craft Pizza Crown

If trend keeps up, Portland will soon be as well known for wood-fired pizza as it is for coffee and hipsters.  

This past weekend, Fooditka and I had the pleasure of dining with two of her readers from back in Astoria who we've actually never met before.  Clayton and his wife Liz were out here for the week, and reached out to see if we'd be interested in meeting up for dinner.  The foodies settled on Ken's Artisan Pizza in what you might call the Laurelhurst section of Southeast.  Like any blind date, the venue can make a lot of difference.  Fortunately for the two couples, Ken's Artisan Pizza proved up to the challenge.

Atmosphere:
Located on SE 28th Avenue between Stark and Burnside, Ken's is perfectly situated among the myriad restaurants, sweet shops, and night-life that populate this lively neighborhood.  They don't take reservations so we got there a bit early to put our names on the list.  It was Saturday night, so the restaurant was that much more crowded, and we ended up waiting for about a 40 minutes before we got a table.  We ordered some drinks and got used to the surroundings while we go to know our new pals.

The space is very nice, with the giant pizza oven front and center when you walk in.  The fixtures are all crafted out of recycled wood and there is a lot of framed photography on the walls.  In fact, one of the pictures is of the now defunct Jantzen Beach Big Dipper roller-coaster, the wood from which was refinished and used to make all of the tables.  There is communal dining as well as smaller tables scattered throughout.  The four of us sat at one of these larger tables.

Food:
Obviously, we were going to get pizza.  However, on the way in, Fooditka spotted the calamari appetizer, and it looked legit, so we decided to start with that.  We then ordered three pizzas for the four of us.  The pizzas are 12" personal size, but big enough that you could share it unless you're starving to death, or have a bottomless pizza stomach.  That's a real thing, by the way.  It turned out that the three pies and the appetizer was the perfect amount of food, because it left just enough room for an ice-cream sundae.  

Calamari - The calamari was grilled and tossed with a red sauce, rather than fried.  It was o.k., but definitely not great.  I wouldn't order it next time I go.  But the reason one goes to Ken's Artisan Pizza isn't for the seafood apps.  Lesson learned, next time we'll focus more on the house specialty.

Pizza - All of the pizza was cooked to perfection.  The crust was marvelously blistered, and airy in the middle.  It had a delightful texture, and wasn't too thick, which made it easier to eat a lot of it.  There are eleven different varieties to choose from, and based on the three that we tasted, I'm sure they are all equally well done. Whatever your palette, you'll find one you like.  Here are the ones we went with:

Arugula - This is essentially a margherita pizza with a mountain of arugula on it.  It was delicious.  Rather than the little bit of basil on the traditional margherita, the abundance of greens really added something to the experience.  The freshness and texture complemented the melted mozzarella and sauce really well.

Soppressata - This was my favorite of the three.  Also loaded with veggies, this one had radicchio on it to go along with the deliciously salty soppressata, which was just starting to curl and crisp up from the heat of the oven.  The overall bite on this pie was perfection in my opinion, with just enough crunch left on the veggies mixing with the meat and cheese and crust.  I'm hungry now just thinking about it.  Fortunately, the one slice we did take home was this guy, and I got to eat him the next day for lunch.  

Arrabiata - This was the spicy pie.  Not overly so, but the peppers on this one definitely added something to it.  In the same way the arugula tricked up the margherita in the first pie, the spicy peppers and sauce took that Neapolitan classic and kicked it in the pants.  This one was Fooditka's favorite.  I liked it also, but I think I only had one slice.  Like I said, they're all nearly perfect, so it's just a question of your individual taste.  

Apple Pie Sundae - The best way to wash down three pizzas is with a giant bowl of ice cream garnished with apples and a sugary cinnamon cookie, and then slathered with caramel sauce.  The sundae tasted as good as you would think, but by the end, I was utterly stuffed.  Sadly, the four of us were unable to finish it off, despite our best efforts.

Service and Cost:
Another high point for me was our waiter.  I really thought he did a fantastic job all evening.  In addition to serving us when we finally sat down, he was Johnny-on-the-spot with the drinks while we waited for a table.  And after we'd finished our main course, I actually saw him making our dessert behind the bar.  He was figuratively-literally everywhere, and he was exceptionally pleasant to boot.  Bravo fella.

As far as cost, it wasn't too bad.  For the amount of food we got, plus our drinks, we got out of there for around $60.00 per couple, including tip.  Not exactly cheap, but not terrible for dinner out on a Saturday night.

3 Mmmms

Ken's Artisan Pizza - 304 SE 28th Avenue Portland, OR 97214
503.517.9951
kensartisan.com

Firehouse Restaurant Fires Up Tasty Pizza

Another new place we explored with my cousins last week was Firehouse Restaurant, as it came highly recommended by friends Moses and Sonya.  The concept for this restaurant is really cool, as it's a refurbished firehouse that dates back to the early 1900's, inspired by the 20th century Italian Renaissance.  Pretty busy on a Sunday evening, we were glad we had reservations, as we situated ourselves in its cozy dining room.

Atmosphere:
As charming from the outside as on the inside, Firehouse Restaurant has the concept of comfortable and rustic down pat.  The rusty red exterior looks the part of firehouse while the inside features beautiful wooden beam work, an impressive wood fired oven and classic wooden furniture.  I noticed lots of homey touches such as old cookbooks, rustic flowers, and simple candles that further set the scene.

We scored a great, semi-private table towards the front of the restaurant that offered a perfect nook for us to settle into.  The large windows located throughout the restaurant also offered a nice view of the wintery scene outside.

Food:
Fitting with the atmosphere, the menu also consists of rustic, homestyle food you'd love eat on any given day.  They stress the right buzzwords of course, such as local and seasonal, but my personal piece-de-resistance on the menu was their wood-fired pizza.

Appetizers - Ordering a few small plates, we ended up with the fried cauliflower, the fried, stuffed olives and the roasted beets.  Out of these, the beets were the best, as they were uncomplicated, perfectly tender and dressed with roasted hazelnuts and some greenery for a touch of earthy freshness.

Pizza - We couldn't walk out of here without trying the pizza and immediately gravitated to the pie with house-made fennel sausage, onions and fresh mozzarella.  I absolutely loved its blistery crust and all the savory toppings, the slightly smoky cheese being my favorite.  My only constructive criticism of the pizza is that aside from the crust, the rest of the pie was uber thin and so much so that it flopped over as you picked it up.  This made for a messy experience, but still a delicious one.

Meatballs - Also drawn to this classic dish of Italian meatballs with tomato and rosemary braised kale, it looked better than it tasted.  Not to say I didn't like it because I did (especially all that hearty sauce), my only issue is that the dish was very heavy handed with salt - something I'm noticing a lot in Portland lately.

Cod - The cod was definitely on the lighter side and I liked its flaky texture.  Dressed with a mixture of braised garbanzo beans, beautiful romanesco and fresh herbs, it was great for soaking up all that flavorful sauce, especially with the leftover bread from the aforementioned meatballs.

Service and Cost:
While we appreciated our waitresses' honest and straightforward manner, I'd overall characterize the service as slow.  It started just fine but apparently got held up somewhere between the appetizers and the main course.  The drinks, however kept on coming which was good.

Costs are on the moderate side for Portland with appetizers ranging between $5-$8, the pizzas at $13-$15 while the mains are $16.50-$19.

2.5 Mmmms

Firehouse Restaurant - 711 NE Dekum Street, Portland OR 97211
503.954.1702
firehousepdx.com

East Glisan Pizza Lounge: A slice of happiness in Montavilla

Give me a hot slice of pizza and a fancy-pants beer for around $7.00 and I'm happy.  Add to that a really cool atmosphere and a nice warm vibe from everyone in the place, and I'm truly content.  Then add a pepperoni roll.

East Glisan Pizza Lounge accomplished all of the above when Fooditka and I stopped in last week; part of our continuing effort to eat our way through the thrifty and delicious cornucopia that is Portland during happy hour.  It's a bit farther away from our neighborhood than the places we've been so far, but overall, it was well worth the few extra minutes in the car.

Atmosphere:
Upon entering the space feels warm and comfortable, dimly lit but not overly dark, and there is plenty of room to find a table or sit at the bar.  Interesting artwork and colorful menu boards help liven things up, and I'm pretty sure David Bowie Radio was playing on Pandora.  A giant mural of a lion watched over us as we ate.  It's that kind of place.

Food:
As we were there for happy hour, our options were somewhat limited, but they have a pretty decent full size menu with appetizers and some salads to go along with all the pizza options. They actually have two happy hours, early from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., and late from 10 p.m. to midnight.  The early deal includes a $2.00 slice of the day, 2 pepperoni rolls for $3.00, and $1.00 off drafts, well drinks, and house wines.  The late happy hour includes $1.00 New York slices and the same 2 pepperoni rolls for $3.00.  

Pizza - We were there for the early happy hour, so we each got a slice of the day.  I got the meat slice, and Fooditka got the veggie.  Her's was a white slice with caramelized onions and potatoes, and mine was more traditional looking with red sauce and bacon.  Both were very good, more of a New York style slice than a Neapolitan, and well cooked.  They were a little on the small side, and on their own wouldn't have been quite enough.  Fortunately we also got a pair of pepperoni rolls. 

Pepperoni Rolls - These were good, but not great.  They definitely helped fill me up, and the pepperoni and cheese were delightful, but I thought the doughy outside was slightly under-cooked.  They came with a little cup of sauce to dip in, but I thought the sauce was a little bland.  All that said, I ate my roll and half of Fooditka's.  So, you know, still pretty good. 

Beer - They have a rotating selection of several different craft beers, all of which are good depending on your preference.  I can't remember exactly what I got, maybe it was a Breakside Pale Ale of some kind.  Anyway, it's a lot of local crafty stuff that a beer drinker would enjoy.

Service and Cost:
Our waitress was very nice and friendly, just like pretty much everywhere else I've eaten since we've moved out here.  She patiently explained the happy hour caveat, that the food specials are only valid if you also get a beverage.  It doesn't need to be alcoholic, and they have a variety of fancy sodas that all sounded interesting as well.

With our slices, pepperoni rolls, one beer and one fancy soda and a tip, we got out of there for around $16.00  

2.75 Mmmms (deduction due to my pepperoni roll snobbery)

East Glisan Pizza Lounge - 8001 NE Glisan Street Portland, OR 97213
971.279.4273
www.eastglisan.com

Life of Pie: A Study in Economical Deliciousness

Continuing on our magical Happy Hour tour of PDX, Fooditka suggested we try a spot on N. Williams called Life of Pie.  As the name suggests it is a pizza place, and like a lot of the restaurants around here, their happy hour special is borderline ridiculous.  You get a fresh margherita pizza for $5.00 and a $3.00 pint of beer or glass of wine.  The "hour" part of happy hour is a loose interpretation, as the deal is available from 11am until 6pm, so it's more like happy most of the day.  Which is just fine with me because the desire for a wood-fired personal pizza and a draft beer can strike literally anytime.  In fact...

Atmosphere:
Life of Pie makes a good first impression when you walk in the door.  We arrived around 5:30pm, so it was very busy as the patrons were all trying to get in on the happy hour before the clock struck 6. It's a nice, roomy dining area with a lot of tables and a long bar counter to sit at, behind which sits the engine that makes this place run; the pizza oven.  The glowing furnace draws your eye while you wait to place your order and then take your drink and sit down.  I would categorize the decor as "Modern Rustic."  Clean lines and open space with a lot of wood grain and antique pizza peels hung up everywhere, and cords of split firewood on display.  And although it was bustling with a lot of hungry happy hour traffic, we still found a table right away.

Food:
Although they have a pretty extensive menu with various apps, salads, and pasta dishes we were there for one reason and one reason only.  Well, two reasons if you count beer and wine.  

Pizza - While pizza is a relatively simple food, it is no easy task to turn out a perfectly cooked wood fired pie with the exact right balance of char and airiness to the crust, and also nail the combination of sauce, fresh mozz, and fresh basil.  Well done Life of Pie. Well done indeed. But not too well done, if you get my meaning.  Just right. And the pie is large enough to satisfy, while the crust is just thin enough that you won't feel like you're about to burst five minutes after you're done.

Beer and Wine - With a selection of about 5 beers on tap, as well as a house red and white wine to choose from, you will find something that pairs well with your pizza no matter your individual taste.  I personally went with the pilsner, and Fooditka had a glass of the red.  Both were solid choices, and $3.00 a piece.

Service and Cost:  
If I am being honest, which of course I am, the overall service left something to be desired.  It's not that the people themselves were unfriendly or incompetent at all; in fact, the one woman who took our order and served us our drink and then served everyone their pizza when it was ready, and then cleared the tables and then later on brought me another beer was great.  Truly she was.  But the problem was that there seemed to be only one of her.  If there were other people working the front of house with her, I didn't see them.  So as far as the service goes, I'd have to say: understaffed.  As I said, the place was very busy, because with such a great pie at such a low price and a variety of adult beverages to boot, how could it not be?  Maybe another server or two during the rush would help the situation.  It also took quite a while for us to get our pizza, but I'm sure some of that was the fact that every pie is made fresh to order.

As far as the cost, I said it before and I'll say it again, a perfect wood fired margherita and a craft draft for $8.00 is pretty tough to beat.

2.75 Mmmms (quarter of a point deduction for the service from the East German judge)

Life of Pie - 3632 N. Williams Ave Portland, OR 97227
503-719-7321
www.lifeofpiepizza.com

A Loveliest Experience at Lovely's Fifty Fifty

As part of our continued field research of Portland (eh hem), Dan and I decided to try out Lovely's Fifty Fifty Pizza, which was brought to my attention by my We Heart Astoria colleague and friend, Meg.  I started following them on Instagram a few months ago and have been salivating over their pictures of fluffy brick oven pizzas.  I knew Dan wouldn't mind a little pizza exploration so off we went:

Atmosphere:

Located in the Mississippi Historic District in Portland, Lovely's Fifty Fifty is in the good company of other establishments such as Interurban Pub and few fun retail outlets.  While its exterior makes you think it'll be ultra modern and sleek, the inside is totally different and exemplifies a comforting, cozy vibe.

The lights are dim in the evening and I love the long narrow dining room, which features plenty of booth seating.  Admiring the vintage light fixtures and a collage of varied art, it exemplifies a comfortable family vibe - a place where you can immediately relax.  There's no pressure to over order, as I've experienced at other establishments around here, and you're welcome to stay as long as you like.

Food:

Pizza is their specialty of course, and that's exactly what we got.  Even though the options were tempting, we resisted overeating and got just one pie and split it between the two of us.  

Potato, Spinach and Red Onion Pie - Piping hot and bubbly, we were excited to dig in, and maybe a little too over eager, as we slightly burned our mouths.  Oh well...it was totally worth it because everything on this pizza was so stinkin' delicious.  From the thinly sliced heirloom potatoes that were slightly crispy on the outside to the earthy spinach and the sweet red onions, it was all so tasty.  The best part was the actual dough, which was fluffy and yeasty, creating a perfect bite.

Malted Milk Ball Ice Cream - Of course we had to save room for dessert, but once again we went light, ordering just one scoop and sharing it between the two of us.  Once again, we were impressed, as the ice cream had a delicious, creamy consistency, bejeweled with little flecks of malted milk balls.  The latter was subtle, which worked well to create a balanced taste.

Service and Cost:

As characteristic of Portland, the service was nice and attentive but not overwhelming.  Our pizza was ready in about 10-12 minutes of ordering it and came out perfectly fresh.

Costs are moderate to slightly expensive, but if you share with your partner, it comes out to about $15 per person including tax and tap.  So overall, it's a good deal!

3 Mmmms

Lovely's Fifty Fifty - 4039 N. Mississippi Avenue, Portland OR 97227

503.281.4060

lovelysfiftyfifty.wordpress.com

Trying Rose & Joe's Sicilian Pizza

Loving to visit Rose & Joe's Bakery for their breads and sweet things, I'm not too proud to admit that I've never yet tried their pizza.  Very well known in foodie circles in Astoria, this pizza's reputation precedes itself in that it's supposed to be really classic and top notch.  As I found myself near Ditmars on Saturday, I decided to stop in and try it.

Rose & Joe's Sicilian Pizza - For those of you not familiar with the layout of Rose & Joe's Bakery, the pizza counter is situated all the way in the back.  I like that the pies are made fresh and you can even get a sneak peek of the large industrial sized ovens they use in the back of the space.

I chose the spinach Sicilian slice that you see above, but they have a lot of others you can choose from.  The crust was super thin, crunchy and the spinach was also a little crispy on the edges.  I like the homemade tomato sauce, which wasn't too sharp and acidy and overall created nice flavor balance.  The temperature of the pizza was the only thing I didn't love, as it wasn't hot enough.  I think the flavors would've shined that much more if it was a few degrees warmer and in retrospect, I should've asked them to heat it up longer.

Service and Cost:
Since this is still a somewhat undiscovered feature of the bakery (only true locals know about it), I got in and out of there in about 10 minutes.  Eating my pizza in the shop at the front counter was nice, as I got to watch the busy goings-on of 31st street while I devoured.

Costs are wallet friendly at just $3.25 per slice.

2.5 Mmmms

Rose and Joe's Italian Bakery - 22-40 31st Street, Astoria NY 11105

718.721.9422

N/Q Train to Ditmars Blvd (last stop) 

Tufino Brings on the Pistachio Pizza

On a rainy night last weekend, my We Heart Astoria colleagues and I ventured over to Tufino Pizza before going to check out the friends & family event at The Brass Owl.  Although I've heard so many great things about it, and it's totally my kind of place, I've never eaten there yet, so this provided the perfect opportunity.

Atmosphere:
Very much a place of comfort, warmth and refuge during the cold rainy weather, Tufino offered everything we wanted at that moment.  On a busy Saturday night, it was full, but not so much so that we had to wait for a table.

Loving the warmth emanating from the wood fired oven that bears the name Maria (the owner's wife's name), we sat down at a four top not far from it and marveled at the beautiful pies it produced.  The crowd was a mixed bag, which speaks to Tufino's versatility and included everything from couples, small groups of friends as well as families with children.

Food:
Going for the pizza was a no brainer and between the three of us, we shared two pies and a salad, which was just enough food.

Caesar Salad - While this was just a simple Caesar salad, it was done right. Everything about it was delicious, including the crispy romaine, the airy croutons, tangy cheese and the garlicky dressing.  Although Caesar sometimes gets a rap of being too heavy, this one was anything but.

Pizza - Ordering two Neapolitan pies to share including the Il Greco and the Pistachianco, was a good idea.  Although the pies came sliced, it was a little tough to tell where to separate them, so the extra pizza cutter we had at our table came in handy.

Out of these two varieties, the Pistachianco with fior di latte mozzarella, roasted pistachios, red onions and fresh ricotta cheese was a clear winner.  The pistachios were the star of the show, as they were crunchy, chunky and earthy.  I wasn't used to this type of toothsomeness in my pizza, but completely loved it.  Not to say that the Il Greco with Kalamata olives, oregano and fresh lemon juice wasn't good, it was just a tad salty for my liking.

Service and Cost:
We enjoyed nice service during our experience, and while I can't say it was anything out of the ordinary, all dishes came out in good time, the staff was cordial and generally quick with the bill.

Costs are moderate and set us back about $32 per person, which included 2 glasses of wine.

3 Mmmms

Tufino Pizzeria - 36-08 Ditmars Blvd, Astoria NY 11105
718.278.4800
N/Q Train to Ditmars Blvd
tufinopizzeria.com

Pre US Open Eats off the 7 Line

The U.S. Open, my all time favorite sports tournament is almost in town, and I can't wait.  While I relish all the tennis action these exciting two weeks bring, I'm not always jazzed about the food options offered at the stadium.  It's for this reason I'm providing you with a quick round-up of delicious eats you can grab prior to or after visiting the Open without fail.  All of these suggestions are located close to the 7 train line, so they offer easy convenience.

Biang Noodles in Flushing - This popular noodle shop will satisfy your gametime hunger with more than a dozen different varieties of noodles, skewers, bread dishes such as sliders, dumplings and even authentic Chinese desserts.  Make sure to bring cash, as Biang doesn't accept credit cards.  41-10 Main Street, Flushing. 718.888.7713

Venturo in Sunnyside - Loving Vesta's little outpost in Sunnyside, it's just a few short steps from the 7 train and couldn't make it easier to stop off and get some fresh, delicious food.  In addition to dinner and wine, they serve lunch so you can hit them up during the U.S. Open day sessions.  Recommended dishes include the homemade thin crust pizzas, the pasta free lasagna and of course their Baby Jesus cake for dessert.  44-07 Queens Blvd, Sunnyside.  718.406.9363

Jahn's in Jackson Heights - If you'd like to treat yourself to a celebratory old fashioned sundae, Jahn's is your pick.  Boasting north of 14 different sundae varieties, you can get everything from a classic vanilla hot fudge sundae to something funky and unusual such as the Kitchen Sink Sundae which feeds up to 10 people at once.  81-04 37th Avenue, Jackson Heights.  718.651.0700

Antika's Great Brunch Deal

Image by Bradley Hawks

Strolling around 30th Avenue this past weekend made me feel happy and impatient for spring.  Finally a nice day has come and everyone seemed to be out and about.  Lots of cafes in the nabe were opening up their sidewalk seating or even their backyards, which was encouraging.  I peeked around a few places and ended up dining at New York Dog House, which I'll tell you about soon.  But first, how about this awesome brunch deal from Antika Pizza! I think it gives us something to look forward to for this coming weekend, when slightly warmer weather is in order.

Antika Pizza Brunch Special: $9 mimosas, sangria or bloody Mary's with free refills between the hours of 12 - 2 p.m.  This all comes with the purchase of an entree, but still think it's a deal for unlimited morning cocktails.  Bring a group out and enjoy it together!

Antika Pizzeria - 36-08 30th Avenue, Astoria NY 11103
718.545.0555
N/Q Train to 30th Avenue
www.antikapizzeria.com

A Rainy but Delicious Visit to Milkflower

While wasting our time away yesterday on pleasurable things such as museums and delicious eats, Dan and I popped into Milkflower for a casual dinner.  We haven't been in quite a while and were totally craving their blistered crusted pizzas.  Our experience didn't disappoint, and we're already thinking of ways to recreate Milkflower's genius at home.


Shishito Peppers - I love to get these as an appetizer at tapas restaurants, but I've never seen them at a pizza joint.  Dan wasn't so sure, but totally changed his mind when the charred, blistered peppers arrived, along with a side of creamy cracked pepper aioli.  Even though they were light, the peppers did a good job of tiding us over until the next course.  I loved the charred taste of the pepper skin and the pronounced bite from the aioli.  Delicious!

Hawaiian Pizza - Appreciating Milkflower's take on the classic Hawaiian pizza, this came with crispy prosciutto in place of ham, which was ingenious.  The crust was as perfect and bubbly as usual with beautiful little char freckles on top.  A topping of thinly sliced pineapple and jalapeno peppers added more excitement for the eyes and the tastebuds.  Overall, this pie is a total home run, so Hawaiian purists and mavericks, please enjoy!

Service and Cost:
Since we came in right as Milkflower opened, we were pretty much the only people there and therefore received exceptional service.  We were in and out in about an hour, but felt that we could've hung out for as long as we liked.

The aforementioned meal, including a beer set us back about $33 including tax and tip, which is reasonable for high quality trattoria fare. Nom, nom, nom...

Milkflower - 34-12 31st Avenue, Astoria NY 11106
718.204.1300
N/Q Train to Broadway
www.milkflowernyc.com 

PizzArte – The Beauty of an Artful Pie

During the first blizzard of the year, Dan and I created a mini stay-cation for ourselves in the city.  He had to work and wanted to avoid any kind of commute, so we cashed in our Citi Thank You points and stayed at the Empire Hotel at Lincoln Center just a few steps from Dan’s theater.

In between his shows, we made room for a few culinary adventures, including the one I’m about to describe here at PizzArte.  What a fun stay-cation it was!

Atmosphere:
Located on 55^th Street, between 5^th and 6^th Avenues, PizzArte’s locale certainly doesn’t insinuate coolness, but that’s just why it’s so great – it’s a true diamond in the rough. 

The space is made up of a two-floor cozy restaurant, bar and gallery rolled into one.  The gallery (hence PizzArte’s name) showcases a plethora of interesting works by international artists and the ones we saw happened to be done by Qinza Najm, a Pakistani American artist.  It was fun to be surrounded by abstract art, which put us in the mood to eat something creative, as well.

Food:
Having the foresight to purchase a Gilt City coupon for our dinner, we sort of had our food choices mapped out for us, which consisted of a glass of house wine each, a personal salad, and a shared pizza pie.

Salad – Loving the fact that we can each choose our own personal salad, I was free to indulge in all the beets and goat cheese my heart desired.  Dan went for a classic Caesar salad, which was done beautifully, with the perfect amount of cheese, anchovy paste and really crunchy, airy croutons, which I devoured as well.  Both salads were generous in size and therefore signified great value right off the bat.

Pizza – Although PizzArte boasts many pizza choices, our Gilt City deal enabled us to choose from a slimmer menu, which was A-OK with us.  Deciding to try the Eduardo, the dough was prepared in a unique fashion by first being fried and then baked in their coal oven.  Dan was a bit skeptical at first, but our waiter reassured him that the fry method adds to the lightness and the airiness of the pie.  He was totally right!  In Dan’s words, the pizza had a “zeppolian pizzaarte” quality to it, meaning a hybrid between a zeppole and a pizza.

We both ooohhed and ahhhed and Mmmmmed a lot while eating the Eduardo pie.  The dough was exquisitely light and the toppings of Italian ham (not quite prosciutto), melty mozzarella and ribbons of fresh basil gave it a beautiful earthy yet still luxurious quality.  It’s unlike any pizza I’ve had before, and overall was a total win.

Service and Cost:
Due to the snowstorm factor, the restaurant was pretty low key in terms of clientele, and we loved it this way.  Having our own little escape haven, watching the snow outside and relaxing with a full bodied red vino made it that much more romantic. 

Our waiter was a great guy, and gave us the fabulous suggestion of ordering the Eduardo.  He didn’t steer us wrong once, and seemed to have a lot of knowledge about the menu.

Costs are moderate on the regular menu, with most pies ranging between $18-$23.  While they’re not overly large, the pizza pies are filling and do a great job of satiating you.  Our Gilt City coupon turned out to be an excellent value, setting us back just $30 total for our aforementioned meal.  Go ahead, and snap it up – there’s still time!

3 Mmmms

PizzArte – 69 West 55^th Street, New York, NY 10019

212.247.3936

F Train to 57^th Street

www.pizzarteny.com