Day 4, 2019: PQR - Pizza Quadrata Romana (UES, NYC)

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DAY 4: OCTOBER 4th, 2019

LOCATION: PQR - Pizza Quadrata Romana (1631 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10028)

GUEST(S): Ronny Pascale

ORDER: half a slice of baked yellow pumpkin, guanciale and provola cheese, half a slice of Salsiccia and Friarielli (sausage, sautéed broccoli, mozzarella and hot pepper), half a slice of Prosciutto, Fig, Stracciatella, half a slice of Speck, Mushroom, Truffle, half a slice of Diavola  Soppressata, half a slice of Four cheese, half a slice of Chef's Special (asparagus cream sauce, bacon, olive oil)

REVIEW: 
The Quadrata formula for pizza. Thanks to Pizza Quadrata Romana (PQR), New Yorkers can "Rome" around the Upper East Side and toss back high quality Roman style square slices of pizza.  Not all square slices are Sicilian.  Adapting nearby Naples' circular style pizza for the hustle and bustle of the capital, Roman pizza makers developed Pizza al taglio or "pizza by the cut" to offer topping-centric pizza for their on-the-go clientele. Since the pies are baked in large rectangular trays, patrons choose where they want it "cut" and pay based on the length or weight of it. PQR not only imported this business model but a large portion of their recipes come directly from Italy as well.  Expect meat toppings like Prosciutto de Parm, panchetta, soppressata, salsiccia, guanciale and speck along with an infinite list of ingredients such as stracciatella, olive oil, garlic, provolone, truffles, broccoli rabe, zucchini and even pumpkin to name a few. When you enter, the massive number of choices are as beautiful as they are overwhelming. Since these top tier components come at a premium, I recommend getting one you know will love based on the ingredients and one slice on the creative side. My favorite slice was the Prosciutto, Fig, and Stracciatella but I was surprised and enamored by the asparagus cream sauce and bacon combination of the chef's special of the day. Do NOT go to PQR for a plain cheese or simple pepperoni slice. Instead, walk in with a curious palette and let PQR open your mind to what Roman pizza can be.


PHOTOS:

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More options

Even more options

Prosciutto, Fig, Stracciatella

Four Cheese

Diavola Soppressata

Salsiccia and Friarielli

baked yellow pumpkin, guanciale and provola cheese

Speck, mushroom, truffle

Chef's special

MISCELLANEOUS:

Sean Taylor and Ronny Pascale

1. Ronny Pascale is from West Haven, Connecticut.  Beyond being a hilarious person and comedy writer and performer, he also grew up closer to pizza than I did!  His dad owns a pizza shop and I hear everything he cooks is delicious!  I can't wait to go.  Follow Ronny on Twitter @ronnypascale.

nervous before my set

host Perri Gross

2. After pizza, I did my favorite open mic in the city called Everyone is Sad. It's hosted by Perri Gross at the Magnet Training Center. Once a month, Perri harvests from the open mic for a mainstage show at the Magnet Theater.  Check it out here!

RATING:

 4.17/5

• VALUE:
   4/5


• AMBIENCE:
   3/3


• TASTE:
   8/10


• SERVICE: N/A

15/18 = .833 x 5 = 4.17