Growing up in New York, I took for granted that most pizza was of the ultra-thin crust variety, with a flavorful sauce and plenty of cheese. Sometimes it would come with pepperoni or some vegetable combination, but when you ordered pizza, you knew what you were getting. The one major variation was how greasy it was (and honestly, when I was younger I thought the greasier the better).

Sure, there was the Sicilian style pizza too, square and a little thicker. My favorite pies like that came from Aloy’s Pizza in Poughkeepsie, NY. The taste was simply unmatchable. But woe to the pizzeria that made a Sicilian style pizza too thick …  It just didn’t jive.
Then along came Pizzaria Uno, which introduced the world to their version of Chicago-style pizza. With a thick but crusty dough and a softer interior, they piled toppings high. It was so different than the traditional New York-style, and yet it was also so delicious. Certainly, that style can never take the place of the pizza I grew up on, but it is good in its own right.I don’t mention the Pizza Huts, Little Caesar’s and Domino’s of the world. Those chain restaurants provide a reliable source of their interpretation of pizza is. You always know what it’s going to taste like whether you are in London, England, or middle America. (And yes, I know–I once ate Pizza Hut in London at the request of a homesick friend.) They are a faulty imitation of what pizza should be like. Bready, thick, chewy … not at all like the ultra thin pies that make me salivate just thinking about them.

So, there you have it. I have a solid understanding of what pizza should taste like. It’s not a chain, cookie-cutter thing (although Uno’s is rather tasty), it’s an ultra-thin crust, just enough sauce and cheese that strains to stretch when you take a bite.

Going back to my mention of regional differences, about 10 years ago I lived in Arizona for a short time while studying environmental science at a program there. The differences in life between Arizona and New York were nothing short of stark. Everything was different, and that made me crave home so much. After a few months, all I wanted was a good slice of pizza. Perhaps it’s New York-centric of me, but I never imagined that I wouldn’t be able to locate one.

My roommates and I headed over to a place called Cowboy Pizza that was near where we lived. Yes, that name should have been a red flag. Seriously. So there we are, in this pizzeria, the only customers besides a group of rowdy regulars. The abrupt waitress took our order and brought us our watered-down drinks and a pie …

It didn’t look like the pizza we were expecting. It didn’t taste like the pizza we were expecting either.

The pie was thick, along the lines of Pizza Hut, but without infusion of a heavy dose of oregano that that chain favors. It wasn’t just doughy, it was bready and it didn’t have the crunch layer on the outside. I asked my Arizona-native roommate if this was what pizza in that area was always like … she said yes. All my hope for a taste of home just about ran down the proverbial drain.

I didn’t eat pizza again while in Arizona. I am sure that I could have located a reasonable pie at some chain establishment (and there were so many!), but I didn’t want to. I just wanted to wait until I could order a good slice closer to home.

So tell me, what is good pizza to you? There are so many variations — ones that use fresh mozzarella and vibrant sauces like Carminuccio’s in Newtown, Conn., ones that are famous for their clam pies like Pepe’s and Sally’s in New Haven, Conn. Or is it more doughy? More bready? Sicilian? Chicago-style?

And I am curious, what was the pizza that you grew up on … is that still your ideal?

Photo credit: dzz from morguefile.com

Are you the go-to person among your friends for grocery stores, restaurants and more?

Do you love to dish about your eating-out meals?

Do you have your finger on the pulse of your local bar scene?

Then come write for Well Fed On The Town!

We offer great perks and fabulous exposure. If you are interested in writing and getting noticed, then we might have a spot for you. We are looking for fresh voices who can talk about food and drink-related classes, restaurants, stores and more.

Interested? Email editor Sarah Caron at sarahATsarahscucinabella.com.

The Danbury News-Times reported that Allegiance Development Corp. has reached an agreement with Urstadt Biddle Properties to open a new location in the space formally occupied by Boston Billiards on Kenosia Avenue.

This will be the seventh location in Connecticut for the family amusement center and restaurant. In addition to games and activities for kids from walking age to adolescence, Chuck E. Cheese serves a basic menu with selections of pizza, beverages, salad, wings, breadsticks, fries, sandwiches and desserts.

The kid-friendly atmosphere makes it an ideal space for parties for young children and a great meeting spot for play groups. Child also earn prize tickets from playing different games that can be traded in for prizes when leaving.

The new kid-friendly dining experience is slated for opening in the fall.

However, on Independence Day this year, Lady Liberty will host visitors from all over the world again as they pass up narrow staircases and file past the small windows. That’s right, the crown of the Statue of Liberty is reopening on July 4.

And guess what? The Ritz Carlton New York, Battery Park, wants you to celebrate in style. The hotel is offering the Libery for All Package to encourage people to visit New York and see the Statue of Liberty again.
Here’s the detes:

‘LIBERTY FOR ALL’ PACKAGE
Overnight luxury accommodations in a newly renovated Harbor View room with views of the Statue of Liberty (includes in-room telescope for enhanced viewing)
Two ferry tickets to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island
Handmade chocolate Statue of Liberty in-room amenity
American breakfast for two in 2 West Restaurant

*This package is priced starting from $375 USD per couple and is available weekdays and weekends starting May 11, 2009. The package is subject to availability, exclusive of tax and gratuity.

Photo: MorgueFile - The Empire State Building

Free is good right?
If you are in the vicinity of a TCBY location on Mother’s Day, pop on over with the mom in your life! The Country’s Best Yogurt (yes, that’s what it stands for) is giving away free cones and cups to moms on Sunday, May 10.

Who says that nothing in life is free?

Unfortunately for me, the nearest location is more than an hour away, so I won’t be trying them myself anytime soon (but our fearless Well Fed leader Cate O’Malley will be and will be giving you, our darling readers a rundown).
So, what’s new on the menu?

Hand Helds- New hand helds include the Bang Bang Shrimp Taco, a delicious new take on a signature favorite; and, in select markets, a tasty Maryland crab cake sandwich

Bang Bang Tacos- Two tortillas filled with Bang Bang shrimp, crisp lettuce and diced tomatoes.

Sir Will’s Fish & Chips- Tempura style with house made tartar and French fries.

Maryland Crab Cake Sandwich- A jumbo lump crab cake with lettuce, tomato and red remoulade.

Walkerswood Shrimp and Steak- $ 18.90 - 6oz wood-grilled sirloin with Huge Wild Gulf Shrimp on sauteed mushrooms with a Jamaican scampi sauce

Huge Wild Gulf Shrimp Pad-Thai- $12.90- Asian rice noodles with scallions, sprouts, peanuts, egg and traditional Pad-Thai sauce

So, what is Sister Schubert? It’s a company that specializes in homemade rolls - buttermilk biscuits, clover-style rolls cinnamon rolls, Parkerhouse rolls, etc. And they look divine.
Read the NY Times story.

To see what’s available in your area, click here.

Photo: Williams-Sonoma

This weekend, I dropped in on Chocopologie in Norwalk, Conn., with my two small children and two of my dear girlfriends. Chocopologie is the chocolate-themed cafe of chocolatier Fritz Knipschildt, who is known for his interesting filled chocolates (white chocolate with passionfruit, dark chocolate with chilis, etc). I’ve known about the cafe for several years, but this was my first opportunity to seek it out.

Upon walking in, I found that the space is really tight and packed with tables (there was a birthday party going on at the time though). We were seated in a galley-style bar area (think kitchen bar, not nightclub bar) where half of our group sat on high stools and the rest of us sat at a low table. Fortunately, we were mere feet from each other so that didn’t detract from our conversation at all.

The dessert menu is extensive with choices like a trio of creme brulees, chocolate beignets and bread pudding. Every chocolate-y thing sounded delish (and FYI - they have real food too and it sounds wonderful!). But we stuck to our guns and ordered desserts. For me, Chocolate Love — a sampler of several desserts like molten chocolate cake, chocolate mousse, a brittle with ganache and chocolate ice cream. Mmm. That molten chocolate cake was to die for.

They also have a variety of chocolate drinks - both alcoholic and nonalcoholic - but we didn’t try those.
So, would I go there again? Yes. But I think I might call ahead next time and try to reserve a real table that might not be as cramped as the bar area. And as for the kids, I think that considering they are just little, little, they held up really well in the challenging space.