DAY 3, Pizza Month 2009; Paulie Gee's (Warren, NJ)

DAY 3: OCTOBER 3rd, 2009

LOCATION: Paulie Gee's home(Warren, NJ)

ORDER: 1 slice of Margherita with Prosciutto di Parma, 1 slice of Bianco with Baby Arugula, Fresh Lemon Juice, Olive Oil, Prosciutto di Parma and Shaved Parmigiano Reggiano, 2 slices of Margherita with Sopressata Picante and Parmigiano Reggiano, 1 slice of Bianco with Sliced Fresh Figs, Mascarpone, Prosciutto di Parma, and Shaved Parmigiano Reggiano, 1 slice of Margherita with Speck, Pecorino Romano and Sliced Vidalia Onion, 1 slice of Bianco with Sliced Fresh Garlic, Pecorino Romano and Fresh Basil, 1 slice of Bianco with Speck, Parmigiano Reggiano and Sunnyside Up Eggs, 1 slice of Bianco with Chopped Fresh Garlic, Cherry Tomato Medley, Fresh Basil and Coarse Sicilian Sea Salt, 1 slice of Bianco with Sliced Fresh Figs, Orange Blossom Honey infused Mascarpone Dollups and Orange Blossom Honey Drizzle


GUEST(S): Paulie Gee, Mary Ann Gee, Cliff Hansen, Christine Hansen, Scott Wiener, Adrienne Imbriaco, Robin Rothman, Mei Mei [Gee]

REVIEW:

Golly Gee, Paulie Gee. It's nice to have friends. It's even nicer to have friends with a brick ovens in his back yard. Paulie's got one and he named it NAPOLI. Much like FIELD OF DREAMS, "If you build it, they will come." He build it, and we came. Eight of us convened in Warren, New Jersey to eat ten masterpieces by Paulie and his Oven of Dreams.

First thing we notice when we arrive is a menu. A ten course meal, where all ten courses are pizza. Perfect! We were then instructed to sit down and eat. We all did as were told and began a long evening of sharing top quality pizza together. From dough to plate, Paulie uses nothing but the finest market ingredients including his own homemade fresh mozzarella cheese and home grown basil. The sauce is superb.

"Nothing but tomatoes and sea salt," Paulie says seemingly giving away the secret, "but I won't tell you where I get my tomatoes."

Darn! My best guess is Eden since I hear Heaven had a bad harvest last year. With sauce or not, Paulie's creations ranks up there with the best pizza I have ever eaten.

"It's all about finding the right combination of sweet and salty," Paulie claims.

The Bianco pie with figs and prosciutto adds support to that argument. My favorite pie was the one with the cherry tomato medley but I can honestly say that impossible as it may seem, there was no least favorite. I sincerely hope that others will get the honor of eating Paulie's pies. Open a pizzeria already! I mean you're an expert chef, you got a menu, table service, a secret tomato source, a voluminous recipe book... the only thing missing was the check. If you bill them, they will come and I'll be at the front of the line.

MISC.:
1. Scott Wiener drove Robin, Adrienne, and I out to Warren, NJ. During the day he gives pizza tours throughout New York City and at night he sleeps on a boat.

2. Paulie's got pizza fever. There was pizza everywhere. Not only did he invite me and a guy who gives pizza tours, but there was a copy of Ed Levine's SLICE OF HEAVEN on the coffee table, food network pizza specials on the TIVO and plenty of pizza related conversation (if you don't believe me, just ask Robin).

VIDEO CLIP:


RATING:
!