Told You the Best, and Now the WORST!

When I lived in Singapore, I promptly patronized the very first US pizza chain to open its doors.  Every expat and PT needs a taste of home from time to time.  It bore little relation to products of the parent.  So I had a little chat with the manager.  “But we put cheese on it,” he protested.  “We know you westerners like cheese.”

“But there’s no sauce!”  Minor cultural glitch there.  You find out one thing about a country and culture, and miss something equally important (or more!).

They were literally using a paintbrush to stain the crust pink.  I explained.  The manager insisted I return for a freebie in a few days, while they mastered pizza-making.  It turned out quite acceptable - good-not-great category.

Already covered the fabulous pizza I experienced at Mike’s Stone-Baked Pizza in Tallahassee.  Alas, I have just learned he has sold the pizzeria, although he continues working there at present.  One can only hope the new owners continue Mike’s extraordinary quality.  Let me know when you stop by!

In fairness, I now announce the absolute worst pizza I’ve ever had in any country in my entire life.  Fat Cat Pie Company – in NYC and the Metro area, including Norwalk, CT.  I’m not the biggest fan of an ultra-thin crust pizza – prefer a little substance, a little chew, to a thin crust.  But a crust as crisp as a bland unsalted cracker – and thinner! – and so tough in the center you cannot chew it but must rip it is simply totally unacceptable.  So is a cheese pizza with nearly invisible, definitely untastable, cheese.  Where’s the sauce?  Their paintbrush must be missing half its bristles.  Singapore’s first pink-pizza had more sauce and more flavor.

You’d better believe I Yelped this one.  Yelp forces you to click on stars when you write a review, but this pizza did not even deserve the one star I had to click.  Even if you are a fan of cracker-crust pizza I would avoid this one – no substance, no flavor, no merit whatsoever.

May your road rise to meet you!

Ann

Another Foodie Find on the Road

Seek out little local eateries when you're on the road.  You can stumble upon some great finds in unexpected places!  This time it's in the Atlantic City area.

Route 30 from Garden State Parkway to Atlantic City is Motel Row - oodles of more modest motels than the glitz and glamour of high-rise casinos.  But here sits one of 6 family-owned sub shops in the Atlantic City vicinity.  Sounds pedestrian - but far from it!  Best sub or sandwich I've ever eaten anywhere in the world.

Sack O' Subs started back in 1947.  The Sacco Family, originally butchers, still butcher their own beef for delicious steak & cheese subs, and grind their own beef for hamburgers, meatballs and Italian sausage (the family recipe has been handed down for over 100 years).  They bake their own baguettes for the subs, bake their own rolls for the burgers and sandwiches.  "Foot-long subs?"  Bah, humbug!  These homemade baguettes run about 18 inches long, so a half-sub - very generously filled - actually will satisfy 2 for lunch.

Yes, they are in those glitzy hotels, too, both Bally's and Harrah's.  And they ship next-day priority overnight in insulated shipping containers anywhere in the US.  Yes, they do get orders from Hawaii, about as far cross-country as you can get.  I'm told a California computer mogul - transplanted South Jersy-ite - regularly orders 100 subs shipped to the California company for employee lunch parties.

Sack O'Subs, 784 White Horse Pike (Route 30), Absecon, NJ; www.sackosubs.com.  Locations in Ventnor and Ocean City, in addition to Bally's and Harrah's Casinos' food courts in Atlantic City.

The best pizza I found over 1,300 miles from the Pizza Capital of the World: Mike's Stone-Baked Pizza in Tallahassee, Florida.  I found the best Hong Kong Noodles in Singapore, and the best Singapore Noodles in Hong Kong (Foreign Correspondents Club, so unless you're a member or guest of one, you won't get any of those - sorry for your loss).  There's just no telling where you're going to find the "best" whatever - it could turn up wherever.

May your road rise up to meet you (with good food!),

Best, Ann

Some Places Are Meant to Be Magic

In Medieval England, the lichgate framed the entrance between church and cemetery, creating the symbolic division between the mundane and spiritual worlds.  Long considered sacred and magical, lichgates now are favored places for meditation, psychic readings, and simply communing with nature. 

Dr. Laura Jepson, late professor of English Literature at Florida State University, built one at Lichgate Cottage, her property surrounding a magnificent live oak tree.  She became enamored with the live oak tree, and borrowed funds to purchase the acreage surrounding it.  Then she built an enchanting little Tudor-style cottage with a lichgate between her cottage and garden.

Today, the sparsely visited Lichgate Cottage is a public park owned by the Lichgate Foundation, formed to preserve the historic-landmark live oak tree, gardens, and cottage.  Local psychics and tarot-card readers often schedule readings, seated on the benches sheltered by the lichgate.  Stretch out under the massive live oak to meditate or commune with nature.  Walk the maze, or explore the Children’s Shakespeare Garden.  Truly a mystical, magical moment.

Lichgate Cottage, 1401 High Road (between Tallahassee Street & Tharpe Street), Tallahassee, FL.  Driving north on High Road, keep a sharp lookout for a white stake proclaiming “Lichgate” at a rustic driveway between condo complexes.  Totally hidden!  But totally serene, and worth every effort to visit!  For more info, google “Lichgate Cottage” or call 850-383-6556 for event details or to arrange rental of the cottage and grounds for weddings, receptions, events.

Foodie Adventurer Finds Best Pizza in Florida Panhandle

One of the greatest rewards of traveling is finding little-known local foodie favorites.  In Shanghai, I  discovered the only New York pastrami-on-rye sandwiches available in China.  The best Singapore Noodles in Singapore were called Hong Kong Noodles, and were far from the beaten Orchard Road path, but the best Singapore Noodles in Hong Kong were at the Foreign Correspondents Club.

Now I’ve found the best pizza in Florida’s Panhandle - best I've encountered in a couple dozen countries so far.  Many of their customers swear it’s better than anything they’ve devoured in the Pizza Capital of the World – New York City.  Mike’s Stone-Baked Pizza is tucked away in a lime green building just a five-minute walk south of Doak Campbell Stadium.  Popular with FSU students, foodies, and members of the music scene, Irish Mike spins out the most delectable pizza crusts while you watch.  The salads are picture-perfect beauties, and taste even better.

 

But the best surprise at Mike’s is his Garlic Knots.  No leftover pizza dough, these are melt-in-your mouth knotted dinner rolls liberally laced with garlic and butter.  Perfect accompaniment to Mike’s salads!

V-e-r-y reasonable prices for delicious pizza, calzones, strombolis, and salads in a very casual, very friendly hangout.  Don’t miss it!  1313 Jackson Bluff Road, Tallahassee, FL 32304.  Delivery to hotels, college campuses, downtown, and most of the city.  850-575-3000.  Be sure to “friend” Mike on Facebook at Mike’s Stone Baked Pizza.