Day 22, 2003: John's Pizzeria (Midtown, NYC)

DAY 22: October 22nd LOCATION: John's Pizzeria (44th St. and 7th Ave., NYC) GUEST(S): Rachel Biello, Marlena Bittner, Rob Cacy, Jennifer Hammaker, Kasha Lewis ORDER: 1 slice of cheese, 4 slices of Bruschetta, sausage and basil PIZZA REPORT: Holy Pizza! John's Pizzeria (midtown) inhabits a building that at one time was a cathedral. The crispy coal fired brick oven crust tastes so good that it seems as if there still may be a little divine intervention. All 5 slices were delicious. Good topping coverage, excellent cheese placement, and the slightly charred crust made the ensemble absolutely brilliant. I also went out on a limb and tried my first slice of Bruschetta pizza. I soon after ate my second through fourth slices of Bruschetta pizza. Rather than having tomato sauce, the Bruschetta pizza has sliced/diced tomatoes - much like authentic Italian pizza (I’m told), It really is tasty. Even though sauce is probably the most important component part of a great pizza, I truly did enjoy my four slices of sauceless Bruschetta pizza. MISC.: Awesomeness occurred when Rachel recognized Instant Cinema UCB 4P-er, Anthony Atamanuik. He is not only a nice guy but he has perhaps the greatest job of any improviser I know...he's a manager of John's Pizzeria! Anthony recommended the Bruschetta, sausage, basil, light cheese pizza (his favorite) and bought us a round of drinks. He also admired my ambition to eat 31 days of pizza. Mutual admiration; I have a new buddy (special thanks to an old buddy, Rachel Biello). Rachel also doesn't think whales should live in swimming pools. Rob Cacy, whose mom uses her freezer to store water, and Kasha, who found a parking spot in midtown, can together film a movie in a single day! Jen has very few injuries considering the amount of four square she currently plays. Marlena has a perfect memory. She can probably dictate a transcript of the entire dinner conversation. I have discovered recently that pizza and root beer together is one of the greatest combinations on Earth.