DAY 9, Pizza Month 2011 - Uncle Mario's (Hell's Kitchen, NYC)

DAY 9: OCTOBER 9th, 2011

LOCATION: Uncle Mario's (739 9th Ave., NYC)

ORDER: 2 slices of grandma, 3 small slices of Uncle Mario's

GUEST: Greg Wilker, Christine Magee, Amy Hellman, Zohar Adner, Bob Kern


REVIEW:
Go ask your uncle about grandma.  More specifically, go to Uncle Mario's and order a slice of the Grandma pie.  Topped with three different cheeses, a thick cooked tomato sauce,  and diced basil, the twice cooked rectangular pie is especially good fresh from the brick aligned oven.  If you are by yourself, let them re-heat it for you - the now thrice-cooked slice won't disappoint.  I especially enjoyed the soft blend of shaved parmesan, low moisture and fresh mozzarella cheeses on the dense-yet-chewy crust.

For the more adventurous pizza palette, try the Uncle Mario's Specialty pie.  It also features fresh mozzarella and shaved parmesan swimming in a savory tomato sauce.  Once out of the oven, arugula and prociutto are added in abundance for a delicious flavor combination - provided you can keep it all balanced on the sturdy crust.  I succeeded in doing so and look forward to coming back.



PHOTOS:

RATING:
3.81 out of 5

• VALUE:
   3.5/5


• AMBIENCE:
   3/3


• TASTE:
   7/10


• SERVICE:
   2.5/3

16/21 = .762 x 5 = 3.81


MISCELLANEOUS:
1. All of my guests perform with a long form improv comedy group called Team Coltrane. They're a great team with the best coach in the business (well, I'm their coach). Check 'em out on Fridays at The Circuit!

2. I wrote a Daily Slice for my favorite pizza resource (slice.seriouseats.com) earlier in the year about Uncle Mario's.