Friday, October 25, 2013

Day 22, 2013: Tavola (Hell's Kitchen, NYC)







DAY 22: OCTOBER 22nd, 2013


LOCATION: Tavola (488 9th Ave, Hell's Kitchen, NYC)

ORDER: 1 slice of Calabresa Bona (Esposito's hot sopressata, fresh ricotta, plum tomato, basil) , 1 slice of Brussel Sprouts and Smoked Pancetta, 1 slice of Vendetta Sarda (wild boar sausage, wild mushrooms, mozzarella, plum tomato) 

GUEST(S): Jaqueline Fouasnon, Shawn Wickens, Kitzi Taylor

REVIEW:
An innovative take on a classic pie.  Armed with authentic pizza cooking techniques and an arsenal of unconventional toppings, the pizzioli at Hell's Kitchen's Tavola provide a unique new look to traditional Italian pizza.  Much like in Naples, the hand crafted crusts are cooked in a wood-fired brick oven with a thin underside and soft, slightly charred outer rim. Each bite has been carefully planned out and masterfully built to maximize the flavor potential of the high quality ingredients like brussel sprouts, wild boar sausage, gorgonzola, and artichoke.  The component parts complement each other in both taste and consistency to expertly balance the spiciness, saltiness, and sweetness.  I strongly recommend the creative signature pies to people that want to literally spice up the Margherita.  That said, the Margherita at Tavola is superb.  The double domed wood oven provides the final touches on these amazing pies at temperatures exceeding 600' F - no wonder they're named after two active Italian volcanoes Mount Vesuvio and Mount Etna.  Pair your pie with one of the many selections of fine wine and Tavola provides a fancy meal, in the theatre district at a surprisingly affordable price. I will be back. 

PHOTOS:








MISCELLANEOUS:
1. Jaqueline Fouasnon and I are both addicted to Candy Crush.  Between the two of us, we're on level 800+.
2. Shawn Wickens is the founder of the Bad Theater Festival which takes place October 29 - November 3rd at The Tank (link for tix).
3. Shawn and I are also on the same improv comedy troupe.  We're called Junior Varsity and we've been together since 2006 (which is a really long time for an improv group).  We are really funny but you don't have to take my word for it.  Check us out on selected Thursdays at the Magnet Theater in a show called Revolver!
4. This is Kitzi Taylor's last pizza day with me in 2013.  I did the NY equivalent to driving her to the airport by putting her on a bus.
  


RATING:
  4.17/5
  • VALUE:
     3.5/5

  • AMBIENCE:
     3/3

  • TASTE:
     8/10

  • SERVICE:
     3/3

17.5/21 = .833 x 5 = 4.17

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