pizzetta: The Other Mystic Pizza

pizzetta pizza: it's all about the crust.

Louie and Mark Esposito had raved long and hard about a pizzeria in Mystic, Connecticut. They were so persistent about how good the pizza was, I listed pizzetta on the Best Pizza in Connecticut page.

Here is what Louie said about the pizza: "thin crispy crunchy and the combination of toppings are mouth watering delectable. The first bite literally stopped me in my tracks. Truly the guy makes an exceptional pie.."

Mark echoed his words by explaining: "Chris Owens certainly is on a noble mission and makes an equally noble pie. Chris makes a thin crispy crust that holds up very well with all the fresh and natural toppings. Pizzetta Pizza is a cut above, another star in the constellation of great pizza pies."

As part of The Pizza Therapy East Coast Pizza Tour 2009, I stopped by and ordered a pizza.

The Espositos were not exaggerating. The pie was thin, crispy, and excellent.

I was most impressed with the simplicity of the pizza. Nothing out of place for this pie with a good crust to hold it all together.

The whole feeling of pizzetta is a good one. Very comfortable atmosphere.

My only disappointment was a selfish one. Chris Owens was no-where to be found. I would love to have talked pizza with him.

The guy is a busy pizzaiolo. He recently purchased a retired fire truck (from the Noank Fire Department) and spent the last five months turning it into The Pizzetta Mystic Company 777 Mobile Pizza Unit.

He was out getting the mobile pizza unit ready for an event to be held later that evening.



That's right, a similar concept to The Big Greeen Pizza Truck.

Hey, you gotta respect a guy who turns a retired firetruck into a mobile pizza unit. The pump on the truck was replaced with a beer spigot. The retired firetruck is already serving the community, once again.

Pizza to the people!

Chris also explains his philosophy about pizzetta: "Pizzetta is committed to being a part of our local community. We encourage our staff to participate in local events. Pizzetta believes in donating our product and time along with a percent of our sales to “not for profits” attempting to make the world a better place... Pizzetta wants to be the very best."



If you ever are in Mystic, stop by. Make sure you tell, Chris, Pizza Therapy supports his mission.

pizzetta
7 Water Street
Mystic, Connecticut
Tel: 860.536.4443

pizza on earth, good will to all,

albert
Pizza Therapy

P.S. Near the pizza oven was a book shelf with several differnet pizza books. I was quite pleased to see Penny Pollack and Jeff Ruby's Everybody Loves Pizza displayed. This book is a must read for anyone who ever tasted a pizza.


For my other pizza book gems, please visit:
Pizza Books Recommended by Pizza Therapy

If you need tomatoes for your pizza:

Topsy Turvy Tree- Upside Down Tomato Tree

Grow over 200 tomatoes on you balcony, deck or patio!

Back in the Saddle at Pepe's...

A slice of Pepe's clam pizza

What can I say about Pepe's?

Pepe's pizza is like returning to an old friend you haven't seen in a while. You've both been through some new adventures but you still maintain that connection. The spiritual bond remains. And so it is with the pizza.

Pepe's Pizzeria Napolitana was the third stop on the Pizza Therapy East Coast Pizza Tour 2009.

We knew what we wanted before we arrived. We were all dreaming about clam pizza. We talked about the clam pizza in the car on the way down. And not just a casual mention. It was the main topic of conversation.

Pepe's is the home of clam pizza. Frank Pepe invented the clam pizza. You just hope against hope, that they are able to have clams on the day you arrive. They usually do, however, clam pizza is so popular, they sometimes, run out.

Pepe's Pizzeria is all about the pizza and tradition. Pepe's continues to carry on the legacy of Frank Pepe by serving incredible world class pizza.

And that is the best thing you can say about any pizzeria. It should all be about the tradition.

(Albert's side bar: In the case of apizzo, from Pawcatuck, they are creating their own tradition. Pizzaiolo Stefan understands this.)

Here is a video I created to pay tribute to Pepe's:



I am going to quote myself from an earlier visit:

"When you walk in, you are greeted by a huge coal fired oven which bakes the pizza to perfection! We started off with a Clam Pizza as an appetizer. The pizza crust was fantastic and the clams danced their way into our mouths.

"Are the clams fresh?", I asked. I was then invited to go around back to the parking lot and then peek into the kitchen door! There was Leo, shucking a collander full of fresh clams (quahogs). These clams were as fresh as they get!"

We had planned our visit so that I could spend some time with Gary Bimonte, grandson of Frank Pepe and co-owner of Pepe's. He explained a new Pepe's would be opening soon at the Mohegan Sun Casino, in Uncasville.

I also asked Gary the history of the clam pizza and how it was invented.

Here is what he said:



Thank you Gary, Thank you Frank Pepe's Pizzeria.

If you need tomatoes for your pizza:

Topsy Turvy Tree- Upside Down Tomato Tree

Grow over 200 tomatoes on you balcony, deck or patio!

pizza in pepe's,

albert grande
Pizza Therapy

P.S. You can also find out more about Gary and Peter at:
Legends of Pizza

Bruce Willis Bumps Pizza Therapy Out of Brooklyn...

Pizza Therapy is Shut Out of The Brooklyn Pizza Tour

I know what your thinking.

Why would Bruce Willis ever mess with Pizza Therapy? I mean the guy is from New Jersey, right? He probably loves pizza. And he would never have any reason to bother with Pizza Therapy. He is after all a mega star.

Yeah, that's what I thought, too. But read on.

This is a true story. Let me explain...

As you may know, I was schedule for the The Slice of Brooklyn Pizza Tour. I had reserved my tickets way in advance. I paid on line. I had printed up my e-ticket. I carried it all the way from Hawaii.

(You can read all about it here.)

As a matter of fact, the Brooklyn Pizza Tour was going to be the highlight of The Pizza Therapy East Coast Pizza Tour 2009.

Emphasis is on the word was...

I just got a call from Tony Miua, the host and creator of the Brooklyn Pizza Tour.

"Albert", he said "we're going to have to cancel the tour for the day you are booked."

"Why, Tony, why?"

Tony explained. "L and B Spumoni Garden, will be closed that day. Bruce Willis is filming a movie along with Tracy Morgan."

"So Tony you're telling me, I'm getting bounced off The Slice of Brooklyn Pizza Tour because of Bruce Willis."

"Well, yeah," he agreed.

Tony was gracious and diplomatic. He immediately tried to find another date that would work. Unfortunately, our time in New York is very tight.

He suggested we could take another pizza tour, with his friend Scott. The tour is a walking pizza tour through some of the oldest pizzerias in the country.

"Take Scott's Pizza Tours" he said.




And that's exactly what we are going do. I booked the tickets, and we are ready to go. I've been in touch with Scott and he's ready for us.

I even asked Tony if he could join us and he said he will try.

I explained to Tony, that we'll be eating Brooklyn Pizza, on our next visit to the City.

So as long as Bruce Willis, limits his filming to Brooklyn, the rest of The Pizza Therapy East Coast Pizza Tour 2009, should go smoothly.

I'll keep you posted, on my pizza journey.



Hey Bruce, do me a favor, why don't you check out
The Pizza Therapy Pizza Book.

Thanks, Bruce.

And thank you, for all of your support.

And as Scott says:

Have A Slice Day,

albert
Pizza Therapy