Sal's Pizza - Brooklyn, New York

I found myself off the train early enough before rehearsal to afford me the time for a slice at Sal's Pizzeria as I have been meaning to for some weeks now. Five years ago I had eaten here and the distant memory lingered that I particularly enjoyed it which is quite rare considering the time passed and the amount of Pizza places I have been to in the interim.

I ordered a "square" (Sicilian Slice) and sat down to bite into its gooey Cheesiness and immediately knew that this was the New York slice of yore that maybe one in ten places get right these days and Sal's Pizza gets it even righter but this does not surprise me as they have been in business since 1967. a Truly Monumental Square with just the right Sauce to Cheese ratio, Flavorful Dough and this being a "side" piece there was just the right amount of Oil complimenting the tasteful & crunchy crust to top off this culinary experience.

After rehearsal the thought crossed my mind of stopping in again but I was with bandmates on their way home, Next Wednesday I will be back for a "Round" Slice and am very much looking forward to it.

7/5/12 - I finally got back to Sal's two weeks later for the "round" Slice (asked for at warm not hot temperature) and while Delicious it was no comparison to the "square" of a few weeks back, the Slice was Excellent with a thin enough crust and that meaty tasting slightly chunky sauce and just the right amount of Mozzarella Cheese stretchy and warm over the top. Not to worry I certainly haven't given up on this place, more posts to come.


Sal's Pizzeria is located at 544 Lorimer street, Brooklyn, New York.



The facade of Sal's Pizza that I still remembered years later.



Inside Sal's hangs a photo of the place from days of pizza passed.

Sals Pizza Site

The 20th Annual Napoli Pizza Party - 2/11/11 Staten Island,New York

Invited back to the Napoli Pizza party a second year in a row was an honor for me and it was great to see everyone again. The Dough was flying like usual and many more Pies and Rolls (Calzones, Sausage Rolls, Sfingione*) were created than photo space allows in this column, here are some of the outstanding selections (and my creation this year).

Cellphone camera's (plural) documented the proceedings as Pizza's were posted to Facebook in real time that Bill Gates could only imagine and Steve Jobs only be proud of.



Once again Carol outdid herself with the creation of a KFC (Kentucky Fried Chicken) Pizza which is (apart from the Pizza dough) made up completely out of KFC materials in this order from the ground floor up. --> Gravy, Mashed Potatoes, Chicken "from the bucket" pieces and some shredded Cheddar Cheese to top off the toppings.



Courtenay's Pie with Pear Slices, Balsamic Vinegar and Fig Glaze was the most unique Pie this year.



Jamie's Broccoli Rabe and Fontina Cheese with caramelized Onions, probably the favorite of the day.



Joe came up with The M.O.R. - Meatballs, Onion, Ricotta & Basil over Sauce and Cheese and that's hard to beat, I mean think about it'. Off the menu this is the safest bet.



My creation of the Taco Pie is Pizza Sauce and Mozzarella topped with Ortega Taco Seasoning flavored Ground Beef with pickled/jar Jalapeño slices and Crushed "Nacho Cheese" Doritos.



Jamie and Donna prepared the Pulled Pork & BBQ Sauce Pie which flew off the table.



Sirelle's "Healthy" Pie is a Whole Wheat Pizza topped with Arugula,Tangerine Chunks,Goat Cheese and one I need to taste.



This year the Dough was literally giving "rise" to nipples.



a pizza portrait.

* - properly spelled Sfincione

Thank God Its Fryday - Jamies fry-a-thon 4/3/11

The Flash Fryer



Naked Sopressatta Balls await the Bread Crumbs



four little, five little, six little indians.



The Sopressatta Ball



Batter Dipped Chicken Cordon Bleu.



Nutella Filled Zeppoles.



Cheese Pizza (Baked)



Salchipapas (Nathan's Franks and Fries)

The 19th Annual Napoli Pizza Bake & All You Can Eat Extravaganza - 2/12/11

It was my honor and pleasure to be invited to the inner sanctum of the Napoli family annual Pizza making celebration and all you can eat extravaganza. Started by artist Augie Napoli nineteen years ago and kept alive by his wife Helen.

Many,Many,Many Pizza's have been created over the years by the Napoli family under these historical eaves.



Uncle Andrew Helming the conveyor belt and "Keepin' It Real" with style and grace. Twenty Six Pizza Pies were created at this years gathering.



Possibly the most Delicious Pizza of the night was Conchetta's Sausage with Onions and multicolored Baby Peppers. This entire presentation was made by Jamie but was of her moms creation.



Undoubtedly the most Exciting and Original Pizza came via Carol with her McGredients purchased en-route to the party.

The McPizza Boasts {All Toppings Authentically McDonald's} Hamburgers, French Fries, Cheese, McLettuce and Special Sauce. Pickle slices added after the Pizza cooled off just a little.



A Repeat requested performance of Donna's Rice Ball Special Pizza which was a big hit last year as well, Delicious.



The Newest and most exciting of the night Edition from Master Chefette Jamie was the Chicken Cordon Bleu Pizza. Breaded Chicken Cutlet filled with Ham, Grated Pecorino Romano, Fontina Cheese and Mozzarella Cheese Sliced thinly atop and 'neath a Creamy Cheese Sauce.



I Dared to be stupid and made the "Elvis" Pizza Pie. (pre-cooked) Bacon Flecked/Loaded Dough baked then Drizzled with melted Peanut Butter, More Bacon and Banana slices.

Taste Of The Brooklyn Bowl 1/3/11 - 1/24/11 Brooklyn, New York

1/3/11 (Pre-Gig 7ish) - Simply The BEST, If an individual needs a belief system then let me Believe in This.

Sloppy Joe, Coleslaw, Pickled Peppers on a Bun With French Fries, Served with a knife and fork which you will need.



1/3/11 (Post-Gig 12ish) - Brooklyn Bowl Burger - Beef Burger topped with Bacon and Cheddar Cheese, Side Of Mashed Potatoes Of The Most Buttery Kind, Sour Pickle Chips & THE Bermuda Onion/Lettuce/Tomato Triumvarat.



1/10/11 (Pre-Gig 7ish) - Cajun Catfish (Blackened) with Mashed Potatoes & Collards (with Bacon) - Being a Cat lover I thought that I would really enjoy Catfish and while I finished every last scrap from the plate (our minder Lindsay told me "I see you didnt like it, I better tell the chef") I found CatFISH to be a little too Fishy for my tastes. HOW DARE MY FISH BE SO FISHY, It was Delicious and so were the Creamy Potatoes and Flavorful Collard Greens which is concealed under the fish in the photo.



1/10/11 (Post-Gig 12ish) - BLT with Olive Oil Mayo on Toasted Country White (Greens on the side) - The first dish I had at
The Bowl that I found just plain Good but nothing to write home about, Mind you no complaints at all and the Bacon was done to perfection.



1/17/11 (Post Gig 12ish) - Chicken Muffaletta with Olive Salad and Roasted Garlic on Ciabatta Bread. This was most tasty but I could not taste any Roasted Garlic, Did I mention that the French Fries are close to perfection.



1/17/11 (Post-Gig 12ish) - Jamie had the Really Sloppy Joe under my recommendation which she liked but felt there was too much Coleslaw and from the looks of it there was certainly more than on mine from a few weeks back but nonetheless I did have to steal a bite of my favorite Brooklyn Bowel Culinary creation yet. She also had the Homeade Macaroni & Cheese Baked with Bread Crumbs which is Amazingly Cheesetastic and anything but crummy.



1/24/11 (Pre-Gig 6ish) - "The FATTY" French Bread Pizza topped with Pepperoni, Ham, Pulled Pork, Sausage, Onion, Mushroom & Eggplant is clearly more than enough food for one person and would perfectly compliment a pitcher of Ice Cold Brooklyn Bowl Pale Ale but as I had this for dinner gig-prior there wasnt going to be any excessive drinking going on. The Ground Sausage was a nice touch and the Ham was in teeny little cubes that would make any swiss craftsmen proud. Deeply Satisfying.



1/24/11 (Post Gig 1ish) - Fried Calamari with Lemon & Cayenne Mayo and Chillies, Thats how "Chillies" is spelled on the Menu so I will go with it and its the Chillies that get special mention here. Breaded and Fried Jalapeno slices (wheels) were out of this world and of course of the mild quality so as not to take anyone off guard. The Calamari itself was served in strips as opposed to "wheels" and the tails were served as tails (not tales). Fried to perfection with Delicious Dipping sauce.



And Every night we enjoyed some Delicious Brooklyn Bowl Pale Ale which is brewed on site, Light in color but Dark in Flavor.

FROM THE AIRWAVES:Shenanigan's/June's Birthday Bash 3/21/09

It was our pleasure to perform at June's birthday bash held at Shenanigan's in Bay Ridge,Brooklyn. Birthday girl performed a rousing rendition of "Walking on Sunshine" with the band (and a fine job she did as well)

Our new male lead singer Ferris had the crowd up and by the second set dancing with frenzy and 80's abandonment as the drinks flowed and the tunes kept on coming as we so like to do in our own special way. Thanks everyone for coming down and dressing in 80s style and fashion making it a truly colorful evening.



Pre-gig I sauntered across the street with Diamond Dave for a good old fashioned slice of Brooklyn Pizza at Buon Gusto brick oven Pizza and Restaurant which I had been eyeballing since our last Shenanigan's gig and they certainly delivered their promise of Cheese+Sauce+Dough=happy 80s band member. Nothing outstanding to say but nothing negative as well, this slice gets 3 stars. They did have some nice looking specialty slices (a la Vodka slice anyone?) but its always good to begin with the standard "slice" and branch out from there even in the face of a wide array of FOODish temptation.