31 Days of Pizza: Day 12, 2013: Rose Pizza (Midtown, NYC)

DAY 12: OCTOBER 12th, 2013

LOCATION: Rose Pizza (1 Pennsylvania Plaza, New York, NY)

ORDER: 1 slice of grandma, 1 bite of Sicilian

GUEST(S): Jay W.

REVIEW:

The best pizza in Penn Station. Adjacent to the Long Island Railroad (LIRR) platform, Rose's neon "Pizza" sign is a beacon calling out to on-the-go commuters looking for a decent slice. Don't be fooled by the vast number of round pies in the display window. I am sure they have their own charm but when you're at Rose's, go for the square. This outpost is a one-time extension of the original Rosa's Pizza in Maspeth, Queens renowned for serving some of the best Sicilian pies in the city. Given the demand from the commuters, tourists, and sports fans combined with the kitchen's cramped quarters, I am thoroughly impressed with the quality and taste of the slices. The grandma slice, for instance, has herb infused rich tomato sauce pockets and a savory blend of low moisture and fresh mozzarella cheeses. Both the Sicilian and Grandma slices had a crisp outer edge yet chewy crust consistency cooked golden brown with slight charring on the underside. I was also surprised to see several tables set up in the back cafeteria style with newspapers and televisions to keep you company while you eat your better-than-average slice. Don't expect fellow patrons to be polite, clean, or even pleasant - this is after all, a New York City transit hub. If you do find yourself at Penn Station and hungry, I recommend grabbing a Sicilian slice at Rose Pizza.

PHOTOS:

MISCELLANEOUS:

1. Jay W. joined me after the Magnet Theater Saturday Drop-In. It's a $10, two hour improv comedy workshop that I have been fortunate enough to instructor for the past two years. Upcoming sessions are listed on the Magnet website (link).
2. Jay is a lawyer.

3. I went to a wedding and my tailored suit was uncomfortably tight around the midsection. I wonder what could have caused that...

RATING: