Day 18d, 2014: Milkflower (Astoria, NY)

DAY 18d: OCTOBER 18th, 2014

LOCATION: Milkflower (34-12 31st Street, Astoria, Queens, NY)

GUEST(S): Alan Fessenden, Michael McLarnon, Brad Kemp

ORDER: 1 slice of Van Dammer (mozzarella, egg, brussels sprout, cracked black pepper, truffle oil)

REVIEW: 
The Art of Artisan Pizza.  Milkflower is more than an Astoria pizzeria, its a gallery where everything is art and its all on display.  From the imported wood-fired brick oven to the masterful pizzaiolo tending to it, from the well-lit dining area to the garden out back, from the portraits on the wall to pizza itself - Milkflower is a living museum.  Danny and Peter Aggelatos named their restaurant after the literal translation of cow's milk fresh mozzarella cheese called fior di latte.  Not only does the creamy namesake adorn many of the signature creative pies on the menu, but it is made in-house.   Whether you opt for an innovative pie such as the egg and brussel sprout infused Van Dammer or a more traditional "Queen" margherita, expect a well-prepared oven-kissed piece of art every time. High quality ingredients, creative owners, and masterful pizzaioli are gathering in Astoria and Milkflower is at its epicenter.  I can't wait to return.

PHOTOS:

The Van Dammer

A slice of Van Dammer

Underside of Van Dammer

Steffano Ferrara Wood-fired brick oven

MISCELLANEOUS:

Co-owner Danny Aggelatos and Sean Taylor

1. I was lucky enough to meet one of the Aggelatos brothers that own Milkflower.

Part 4 of 4 of the Astoria Pizza Crawl of 2014

2. This was the final stretch of the Astoria Pizza Crawl.  Even the camera started seeing blurry by this point.

At Bohemian Hall after the great Astoria Pizza Crawl of 2014

3. All four of us celebrated at the Astoria Beer Garden after it was all over to wash down some of the most delicious pizza Astoria has to offer.

Frank Spitznagel, Miles Lindahl, and Trudy Carmichael

4. After all was said and done, we each returned to the New York Musical Improv Festival at or around the Magnet Theater.  Then "we went home to ruminate on the spree that day." - from the Irish pub song "Johnny McEldoo."

RATING:

  4.41/5

• VALUE:
   4/5


• AMBIENCE:
   3/3


• TASTE:
   8.5/10


• SERVICE:
   3/3

18.5/21 = .88095 x 5 = 4.405