Showing posts with label pizza. Show all posts
Showing posts with label pizza. Show all posts

Saturday, August 11, 2012

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

Saturday, January 14, 2012

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.