Pizza
The Top 15 foods I miss at U of I
The Quad at U of I Photo Credit: UIUC.edu
This post is going to be really fat of me. But remember I mentioned that there were so many dishes I missed from my college days at UIUC? Well, I wasn’t kidding when I said I was going to compile them in a list. I think it’s also where my interest in food heightened since there were so many options (I have my fat pictures to prove it…you’ll probably never see them though). I’m not sure if all of these are even standing still, but regardless:
15. Coffee filet steak from Radio Maria. One of those hidden gems in Champaign that created unusual combinations with common food. Hence, the coffee steak.
Pulino’s in the Lower East Side
I mentioned in my last food post that I’ve been trying to dine at Pulino’s pizzeria for a while since I saw its inviting lights one night walking by. I finally got the chance to eat there recently. The food was good, but a little confusing. Well, ok, maybe just the gnocchi was.
Potato gnocchi
Potato gnocchi
Joe’s Pizza in the West Village
I can’t say I’m in love with NY style pizza yet (sorry, it’s the Chi town girl in me). But there are some exceptions. I was introduced to Joe’s Pizza recently by a friend who had to horribly make up for the last place he suggested. It’s the same West Village location that is frequented by celebs and also where they shot scenes from Spider-Man 2. Other random trivia: its sister location in LA is where Heidi Klum did her I Get That A Lot spoof for the TV show. I picked up some very lovely ladies, Samira and Mariam, for a little taste test:
FYI, I kinda got cheese all over my teeth in the first bite so I may have made a questionable face BUT the verdict: This is some good NY-style pizza. Fresh, crispy, with a good balance of sauce and cheese. I love their no-frills approach too — just plain cheese or pepperoni, at least at this location. It’s a tiny place, and you might not get a seat since it seems to always be crowded, but that’s what the park just across the street is good for. I’ll be going back for sure…
Piola Pizza
Something you’ll learn at Piola is that it’s possible to make pizza in a gajillion different ways — including topped with eggs.
I went there recently and ordered the Moderna (tomato sauce, mozzarella, arugula, fresh tomatoes and shaved parmesan cheese). Very fresh and cheesy. I’m a fan of thin salty crusts, so there were no complaints there but it was a little heavy on the tomatoes.
Craving of the Day: Bagel Bites
Craving of the Day: Two Boots Pizza
A NY staple chain, Two Boots is known for its cornmeal crust, Cajun-Italian cooking, and naming slices after cultural celebrities from some sort of entertainment. They have locations all over the city, but I happened to go to the one in the West Village recently with a friend where we got slices of the “The Tony Clifton” (mushroom, pepper pesto sauce, onions, mozarella) and “The Larry Tate” (spinach, plum tomatoes, garlic sauce, on a white pie).
Restaurant Info:
Two Boots
201 W. 11th St.
at 7th Ave
212-633-9096
West Village
