Strap Happy

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strap-outer

My pizza analysis brings me back to Towson, where the neighborhood continues to grow.  And many shops, services, restaurants, and of course pizza places (more to come) are popping up.   This ain’t a college town anymore. But what has remained a constant is Strapazza.  There is nothing fancy or avante garde about this place.  You know what you’re getting from here.  And it’s usually a winner. I have been eating here since the early 2000’s, and they are the model of consistency.

Aside from getting a sandwich or a pasta dish on rare occasions, it’s all about the pies for me. The interior of the place is quaint and feels like what an Italian restaurant might feel like. So I ordered the New York Style (Thin Crust) Cheese and the Campagnola, which is the aforementioned cheese pizza, but with chicken sauteed with mushrooms and onions over it.

Here’s how they turned out :

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I’ve always liked the concept of random toppings going over the same plain pizza.  For one simple reason, if the toppings don’t taste right, you can take them off, and it’s back to being cheese, with a little remnants of what you didn’t like.  But it can’t be too bad, right?

For this round, the add ons remained and the Campagnola tasted great.  It helped that I had a huge appetite and I barely ate anything all day.  The chicken tasted real, as did the veggies.  The grilled onions easily could go on any cheesesteak sub.  They were delish.

The cheese pie, by itself, was delightful.  And the thin crust brought me joy.

There is nothing blow away about their creations, but sometimes you need that.  And since I was starving, this was the perfect kind of pizza to have.

Not every pizza has to be immaculate or artisan, to be called great.  Sometimes you just need some reliability and comfort. And that’s what Strapazza is. There are some intriguing selections on the menu, and I will be back soon to try.  And a corresponding review will follow.

Finally, I will always support the local restaurants first, pizza, or any food for that matter.  So that’s why I try to stay within the mom and pop, and independents, if at all possible.   Thanks so much and I can’t wait to do this again.

Best,

Ideen

Wegmans, A Place For Friends

Posted in cheese, friends, fun, pals, pepperoni, pizza, salad, sandwich, soup, sushi by

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Or maybe a place for pals, if that’s more to your liking.  I sure do love Wegmans.   I think I visited my first one, when it opened up in Hunt Valley, MD about 10 years ago.  Originating nearly 100 years ago from Rochester, New York, they are growing in popularity and locations.   If you’ve been inside, you know it’s like the Disney World of food stores.  But, It’s more than just that.  It’s a place of joy, inspiration, and happiness.  And of course it’s a place where plenty of wonderful things can be purchased.   Let me not get too carried away here.  The heck with it, let’s have fun. It’s time to evoke emotions.

Anything you want to go, is here; from sandwiches, sushi, salad, soup and of course the hot bar with international foods from all over this wonderful planet.  But this is a pizza blog.  Time to make moves.

I must say, I love their cheese, white, and pepperoni pizza.  Perhaps in the future I will review those.  I will just say they are great.   And there will be more posts regarding Wegmans pies soon.

The specific store I visited for this installment was at Boulevard At Box Hill in Abingdon, MD.

This post will be about the Chef’s Creations, and they are constantly changing :

Slice #1 : The Bacon Cheese Blue Cheeseburger (pictured at the top of this post, on the left) : Oh my goodness.  This was heavenly.   I find their pizza dough to be exquisite.  It’s cooked in their ovens to perfection.  It wasn’t too crunchy nor too soft either.  It tasted like I was eating a naan or pita bread.  And that’s how their dough has resonated with me.  And the mozzarella and blue cheese melted together, with the bacon and hamburger meat is an incredible combination.   Phenomenal stuff.

Slice #2 : The Spinach Ricotta (pictured on the right) : Well something went wrong here.   I could tell it was siting on the tray for a while, as it was starting to look a bit old.  The pizza tasted great, but the crust was too crunchy.  The ingredients were great but needn’t have been out this long. I won’t fault the store, but I will fault time.  It just felt like eating potato chips.

But this will not discourage me from coming back.  In my opinion, they have some underrated pizza.  Maybe because it’s a grocery store and not a specific place to get an amazing slice or pie.  I will be returning and hope to bring another inspirational take on the Wegmans experience.  And with more pictures.

Best,

Ideen

Matthew’s – Making Moves?

Posted in Baltimore, dogma, garlic, Highlandtown, pizza, spinach, tomatoes by

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One of the staples and favorites, of the Highlandtown neighborhood of Baltimore, is Matthew’s.

Before I ever ate here, the amount of times I was suggested to go here was aplenty.   Even though I have heard mainly positive reviews, the negative opinions were also frequent.  I didn’t hear much of a grey area on this.  Perhaps people are sick of hearing about where they should go, because everyone else loves it.  Or because all your friends are going, maybe I should go to.  It’s easy to get caught up in the dogma.  I have been guilty of it myself.

With that being said, the first time I ate here I thought it was pretty good.  It was a few years ago.  I can’t quite remember what I had, but knowing me, it was probably a White pizza.

The last time I went, which was over a year ago, I had the Margherita, and I loved it.   The combination of basil, extra virgin olive oil, and the tomatoes I love so much, was the perfect medley.    I felt good eating it and enjoyed every moment.

This go around, I ordered the Spinach, with some garlic added.   I really wanted to like it, but something felt off.  It was but the mozzarella cheese didn’t taste as good as I remembered.   The crust is really good.  It’s thicker than what you will find elsewhere, but it just didn’t mesh well with the cheese.  But the dough is a winner. The spinach and garlic were great.  But the whole wasn’t as great as the sum of it’s parts, if you will.

I do like the basic way it’s packaged, when ordering to go.   I like the old school packaging paper, taped up, protecting the pizza served on a paper plate.

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Like I was saying, I really wanted to like my pie, but it didn’t work out tonight.  The way it came out, didn’t look all that appealing either :

Spinach

But we all have our preferences and opinions.   One isn’t better than the other.  I will gladly be back at Matthew’s again, expecting the great tasting pizza we all hear about in Baltimore.  On this visit, it just wasn’t the case.

It’s good to hear the here the opinions and suggestions of others, while still formulating your own.

Take good care.

Best,

Ideen

Toss

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Toss

Further on up the road, just past the Baltimore City Line, we have Toss.

I learned about this pizzeria from friends who work or live nearby in Towson.  The majority have said it’s a solid to good place.  I checked it out last fall, and though the vibe, for me, wasn’t as positive as some said, I found my pie to be superb.   Something about the energy, is not as what I envisioned.  It’s hard to put my finger on it.

A few months back, I ordered the Portabella Mushroom.   My oh my what a choice.  The dough tasted so fresh, right out of the oven.  It was easy to eat.  I could have eaten the bread on it’s own and been happy.  It broke apart so easily, but in a good way.  So delectable.  The combination of mozzarella, mushrooms, red peppers, spinach, and feta  cheese rocked my world.   An inspiring creation.  The garlic herb sauce was the perfect complement to order.   I wish I had been doing this blog then, as I could write about that one for a while.

This week’s selection, as pictured at the top, is the Satchma’s Spicy Chicken.    I have repeatedly spoken of my love for tomatoes, so that’s some of the reasoning for the order.   In addition, I have been vocal about loving veggies on my pies, so this did not disappoint.  The red onions, mushrooms (which I love so much), the red pepper sauce, the aforementioned tomatoes, and of course, the mozzarella cheese, give this chicken pizza a great taste.   It was very good, but maybe I expected this to be along the line’s of the Portabella choice.

The location, which is easy to drive past, if you didn’t know where it already was, is one of the fun parts about it.   Settled right on York Rd. in Baltimore, makes it easy to go in and out, for carry out or dine in orders.   I do recommend trying it as I will again.   Perhaps I will get another choice heavy on the vegetables.

Thanks so much.

Best,

Ideen

Pasta Mista – Towson

Posted in chicken, pesto, pizza, vegetables, veggies by

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Another in the long line of wonderful pizza jaunts, we got Pasta Mista.   Now with 3 locations, this is the originator.   I have some sentiment to this place, as I went to nearby Towson University, in a previous life.

I have had many distinctive pies from here.  The cheese and white are stupendous.  But I want to change up my orders, wherever I go.

So in this installment, as pictured above, I ordered the White Veggie and Chicken Pesto.  Both were super yummy!

I love pesto, who doesn’t?  And their pesto is top of the line.  And the chicken tastes fresh, not processed.  The tomatoes are the same, as if they were picked right from a garden.  I am loving tomatoes as a compliment to a lot of my meals, not just pizza.  This is no exception.  Magnificent.   The mozzarella and parmesan cheese really melt into the dough effortlessly.  This is a simple recipe that is marvelous.   Did I say how much I love pesto?

The white veggie is another hit.  The tomatoes are thrown in once again, along with broccoli and spinach.  Wow does this trio complement each other well.  After I took one bite, it tasted funny to me.  But it’s because all the vegetables taste fresher than many other pizza parlors or salad bars for that matter.  It’s first-rate.    The white crust with mozzarella, parmesan, and ricotta cheese pack a wonderful punch.   With the vegetables and the cheese, it’s a trio along with another trio of goodness. The garlic is always a welcome part of any pizza or apropos meal for that matter.

One thing about the dough that is noteworthy.  At times it felt like I was eating a piece of toast.  And that is meant as a high compliment.  Every now and again we might get a pizza that sags or feels soggy, from the get go.  This is the complete opposite. This is some of the best pizza crust I have had.  I can’t wait to go back and review some more unique slices that this place has to offer.  And they got some creative ones.

Pasta Mista has a good vibe too.  There is always soccer playing on the tv ,or maybe a less mainstream sport, you might find at the Olympics.  The staff as friendly and seemed happy to be of service.  That has more often been the case.

I’ll be back soon.

Thanks so much.

Best,

Ideen

Tutti Gusti

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There is something charming about this neighborhood pizza place, nestled in a cozy location, in the nooks and crannies of Canton.  Giovanni’s Tutti Gusti has a great staff and equally amazing energy, which adds to the soul and the heart of their food. They always greet their patrons like one of their own.   It’s the little things that are the big things.

Many of my friends who a residents of Canton, Brewers Hill, and Highlandtown; have given mainly glowing reviews of their pies.   It took me way too get here.   I drove by this establishment countless of times, never to pay it any mind.  Shame on me. Their slices have never disappointed and are noticeably cheaper compared to the competition.

The two slices I purchased today (which are pictured above), were the Chicken Ranch and the Pizza Bianca (White Pizza). Both were heavenly.

The Chicken Ranch is habit forming.  To begin, the ranch sauce is out of this world.  I don’t know if there’s any hidden ingredients, but my goodness.  It can’t be put into words how good this tastes.    It’s topped with grilled chicken, that tastes like real grilled chicken; mushrooms, tomatoes, and what looks to be basil.  Nothing gets lost in the shuffle here.  This might be my favorite pizza from here.    This slice never had a chance.

The White Pizza tastes wondrous as well.   It’s a simple concoction of ricotta, mozzarella, broccoli, and tomatoes.    I am really like the way vegetables tastes on pizza right now.  It’s what my taste buds are feeling at the moment.

One more thing, the way the crust is prepared is insane.  It is a perfectly cooked thin crust.  I would like to know where this dough is from or if it’s made in house.   I detect an ever so slight buttery taste to the crust as well.  Or that could just be the Ranch sauce.

I have only been here a handful of times and I will be back soon.  I am asking these questions, well, because I am still fairly new to Tutti Gusti’s and I am here inspiring pizza research.

I strongly recommend this place.  Their pizza is delicioso and there’s a magnificent aura from within.  On the few occasions I have visited, I have seen all types of folks from what walks of life in here; from police, firefighters, business people, students, locals, and everyone in between.    No matter what we do, in the end, we all want some good pizza to eat and something fun to talk about.  For that, and many other reasons, we are all the same.  And we’re in this thing together.

Thanks so much.

Best,

Ideen

Italian Gardens – Round 2

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I had a couple of different pizza joints all lined up to review, but I just couldn’t help myself.  I made a quick return to the iconic, Italian Gardens, yesterday.   It was on another spiritual level like the aforementioned visit.   This time I ordered two, which ended up being three, large thin crust pizzas to go.

It was an inspired idea, based on nothing but, well, inspiration.    I raved about the cheese slice last time, but this was my first ever experience with their white pizza.   And oh my goodness, this is on that same level.  Absolutely incredible.   I am used to having three cheese white, but with this one, sans parmesan, is a monumental experience.

The combination of mozzarella, ricotta, basil, garlic, tomatoes (oops more on that in a few sentences), and their homemade olive oil sauce is something special.   The latter puts it over the top.  If anyone knows what’s in it, please let me know?  Or maybe it’s best kept hidden.

I haven’t given a enough credit to the crust either.    The taste, crispiness, and crunchiness of the dough is flawless.

Now onto the tomatoes..

I initially placed a call ahead order, for one white and one cheese.  I inadvertently forgot to say no tomatoes on the former.  Now I love them, but I prefer the pie plain.   When I got there, I did check my order and saw my mistake.   I offered to pay for the order, sans fruit, but they gave it to me on the house.   As before, with giving me two cheese slices for the price of one, they didn’t have to do this.    The service here is top notch, on par with their pizza.    And it may even taste better with those pesky tomatoes.

I can’t remember  having magnificent experiences at any dining establishment, consecutively.

I am heaping some major praise, but believe me, this is warranted.    It will be a while (well maybe) before I do another recap of this legendary pizza establishment.   But, take my word for it, this is worth the drive.    Pictured above is the three orders.  Yes, folks were starving before photos could be taken.   It’s that good.

In the next calendar year, I will have other pizza places to recap and other fun pizza information.   Hopefully a little something for everyone.

Thanks so much and Happy New Year.

Oh and go to Italian Gardens.

Best,

Ideen

Italian Gardens

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I paid a visit to Italian Gardens in Towson, MD yesterday.   The charming location inside the Shops at Kenilworth, make this such a folksy place with a small town feel.   No matter what part of the mall, albeit tiny, you’re in; the aroma does permeate throughout.    In my opinion, this may have the best slice of cheese pizza I’ve ever had.

Sometimes it’s not always how a food tastes, but the whole aura surrounding a pizza place, can really enhance the joy of eating a pie.   This is the embodiment of that.

I’ve always had a good experience here.  And the little things go a long way.  I ordered one cheese and one Chicago Style Stuffed vegetable pizza slice.  They gave me an extra cheese because they felt one was too small.  Now that may seem like a little thing, but that’s going above and beyond.  They didn’t have to do that. I am very appreciative of that act of generosity.

The original cheese tastes like pure heaven.   I don’t think words can do it justice.   There are no over the top ingredients or anything Artisanal about this.  It’s a great cheese pizza that is too good for words.    I have spoken very highly of this place to my friends for a few years now, and yesterday only validated that fact.   This is a can’t miss slice.

The vegetable pizza was very good as well. I would put it a notch or two below the cheese.

The mall itself is older and may be revamped down the line.  But, in it’s current form, it adds to the charm of having Italian Gardens located where it is.  And with the current Christmas set up, I was happy to take in, not just the pizza, but the whole experience itself.

Pizza tastes just that much better when the energy around you is positive.  Everything about my visit yesterday was perfect. I hope to be back soon and review another offering from this stellar pizza joint.

I am very serious.  The cheese here is nearly unbeatable.   Incredible.

Thanks so much.

Best,

Ideen

Arthouse

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This will be the first post of the the Pizza Pals.  Currently I am the only pal posting. So hi.   I don’t know where this blog is going, other than when I encounter a new pizza place or something pizza related, a post will follow.  So there could be two days between posts or two weeks.

I went to The Arthouse in the Hampden neighborhood of Baltimore last night.  It was my only my second time visiting.   The first time was earlier this year and I thought it was incredible.  I honestly don’t remember what pie I had.  But I loved it.   Maybe I had massive expectations the second time around.

The three pies purchased are pictured above –  Cheese; White; and French Onion.  The latter to try something different.

I thought the cheese was decent, but I have had better slices at local pizza parlors near my house.   This is not to discredit this pie. Something just seemed missing here.  It was a notch below what I feel a pricier restaurant pie should be.

The white pizza was really tasty. I have never heard of white sauce referred to as Behamel Sauce.  So that was pretty cool.  With the Ricotta, garlic sauce, and mozzarella mixed together; we have a great combination.   A very tasty medley of flavors.

The French Onion tasted just like the soup.  It was a very creative idea.    The caramelized onions were delicioso.  The chives were a nice touch and I could really taste them.

The dough was thin and cooked very well in their brick ovens.   A definite complement to the cheese, sauces, and seasonings.

But all in all, maybe I had such massive expectations, that overall I thought this go around was just good.  Nothing amazing.  I really wanted to love everything, but it did not quite happen.   I will be going back again.

Thanks so much for your time.

Best,

Ideen