PIZZA TIME!, a newly opened show at Marlborough Gallery, brings together some of OC's favorite artists (Cory Arcangel, Uri Aran, Spencer Sweeney, Darren Bader, John Baldessari, Willem de Kooning, Jonah Freeman & Justin Lowe, Claes Oldenburg, Andrew Kuo, and Nate Lowman among them) in an ode to––you guessed it––NYC's favorite food. Check Andrew's coverage of the opening accompanied by a very special musing on downtown New York's best pizza.
Utilitarianly speaking, not all New York slices are created equal! Some of the best pizza downtown is either no longer with us or is still holding on in an era where people are willing to pay $30 for a sit-down plain pie. (No disrespect to the sit-down $30 plain pie.)
For my entire life, until they closed in October of 2011, the best slice in the universe was on Prince Street at Ray's. The pizza had the perfect combination of crispiness, not-too-stringy cheese, tangy sauce, and chewy crust. It was awesome and the standard to which all other utility slices were held. A new spot has taken its place and it might be worse, just as good or even better, but I'm not ready to find out.
We used to go to Brownie's on Avenue A for shows, and began/ended the night at Nino's down the block. It was heftier, cheesier, and not as chewy compared to Ray's but it was awesome. Nino himself recently bought back the business and signed a 12-year lease. Thank god.
When Joe's was on the NW corner of Carmine and Bleecker, it was major. Thinner and crispier than usual, there was no shame in downing three slices in one standing. They moved up the block years ago and I claim it's not the same. My theory is that the oven mojo changed, the water pipes have a different PH level or I'm a little nuts. Recently, Joe's opened a 14th Street location and it's pretty delicious. I'm over fighting (myself) over it.
I miss the short-lived place across from Max Fish—they used to give us free slices every night at closing. There used to be a place on Allen called Ciao Bella that was great. Before the $1 slice invasion, St. Mark's used to be utility pizza heaven. Famous Ben's is still on Spring on the West side. Pomodoro is known for its vodka slice but it's just OK. Rocket Joe's seems like a front for something else and New Roma on Delancey is borderline food, but it's still nice to know they're there.
PIZZA TIME! runs through October 16th, 2013.
MARLBOROUGH BROOME ST.
331 Broome Street
New York, NY 10002
Utilitarianly speaking, not all New York slices are created equal! Some of the best pizza downtown is either no longer with us or is still holding on in an era where people are willing to pay $30 for a sit-down plain pie. (No disrespect to the sit-down $30 plain pie.)
For my entire life, until they closed in October of 2011, the best slice in the universe was on Prince Street at Ray's. The pizza had the perfect combination of crispiness, not-too-stringy cheese, tangy sauce, and chewy crust. It was awesome and the standard to which all other utility slices were held. A new spot has taken its place and it might be worse, just as good or even better, but I'm not ready to find out.
We used to go to Brownie's on Avenue A for shows, and began/ended the night at Nino's down the block. It was heftier, cheesier, and not as chewy compared to Ray's but it was awesome. Nino himself recently bought back the business and signed a 12-year lease. Thank god.
When Joe's was on the NW corner of Carmine and Bleecker, it was major. Thinner and crispier than usual, there was no shame in downing three slices in one standing. They moved up the block years ago and I claim it's not the same. My theory is that the oven mojo changed, the water pipes have a different PH level or I'm a little nuts. Recently, Joe's opened a 14th Street location and it's pretty delicious. I'm over fighting (myself) over it.
I miss the short-lived place across from Max Fish—they used to give us free slices every night at closing. There used to be a place on Allen called Ciao Bella that was great. Before the $1 slice invasion, St. Mark's used to be utility pizza heaven. Famous Ben's is still on Spring on the West side. Pomodoro is known for its vodka slice but it's just OK. Rocket Joe's seems like a front for something else and New Roma on Delancey is borderline food, but it's still nice to know they're there.
PIZZA TIME! runs through October 16th, 2013.
MARLBOROUGH BROOME ST.
331 Broome Street
New York, NY 10002