Wednesday, October 3, 2018

Day 2, 2018: Lions & Tigers & Squares (Chelsea, NYC)

Exterior
Exterior at night
Interior

DAY 2: OCTOBER 2nd, 2018

LOCATION: Lions & Tigers & Squares Detroit Pizza (268 W 23rd St, New York, NY 10011)

GUEST(S): Julia Shroeder, Jon Monje

ORDER: 1 slice of pepperoni, 1 slice of classic

REVIEW: 
Oh my! Lions & Tigers & Squares Detroit Pizza does not disappoint.  Paying homage to Detroit's professional football and baseball teams and to the shape of the pizza they serve, this Chelsea pizzeria brings a slice of Motor Town to the Big Apple.  By opening Lions & Tigers & Squares, Artichoke Basille co-founder Francis Garcia transports patrons from his native New York to Detroit by blasting Motown music, employing the friendliest staff and even hanging hub caps on the walls.  The only reminders you are still in Manhattan are the late night hours and the cozy dining area lacking seats and a bathroom. Before you balk at the price, understand that pizza at Lions & Tigers & Squares is sold by the pan - then cut into four slices. So divide that price by four and bring your appetite. Each pan contains over a pound of pie topped with a thick pureed tomato sauce spread on a hearty cheese blend of Wisconsin brick, provolone and pecorino Romano, oh, and a bucket of oil. A delicious byproduct of this excess oil in the pan is a crisp fried cheese called "frico crust" that somehow tastes better the more overcooked it gets.  How this characteristic feature of Detroit pizza was created and why it tastes so good are mysteries for the ages.  All I know is that Lions & Tigers & Squares has it, and I will be coming back for it.


PHOTOS:
The options

A classic pie

Pepperoni pie

Slice of classic

Day 2

Fried/burnt cheese

Underside of slice


MISCELLANEOUS:

Jon Monje and Julia Schroeder

1. Julia Schroeder is from Detroit and even showed up donning a "Detroit Forever" tshirt. She's relatively new to New York but has already found a home amongst the improv comedy community.  Julia performs with The Cast on Saturdays at the Magnet Theater. Check the Magnet website for upcoming showtimes and tickets.

2. Speaking of clothes and improv community, Jon Monje and I both showed up wearing hoodies from the theaters of which we work.  I work at the Magnet Theater and he's at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre.

Who is wearing which hoodie?
Did you get the right answer?
 3. After pizza, I went to see the movie Crazy Rich Asians at the Cinepolis theatre next door.  That movie is amazing. See it if you haven't yet. Oh, but don't eat as much popcorn as I did.


RATING:


 3.61/5

  • VALUE:
     4/5

  • AMBIENCE:
     1/3

  • TASTE:
     8/10

  • SERVICE: N/A
13/18 = .722 x 5 = 3.61

No comments: