Prime Pizza and Shakes (Brooklyn’s Pizza da Solo)

I’ve been waiting for almost 2 years for this pizzeria to open up in my neighborhood, finally – yesterday – Prime Pizza and Shakes (1202 Avenue J; Brooklyn, NY 11230 – Tel: 718.521.6141 – entrance on 12th Street) opened. I’d always hoped it would be at least, similar to the SONY building’s Pizza Da Solo in Manhattan (between 55th and 56th at 550 Madison Avenue), and it didn’t disappoint! Prices and sizes are more in line with Brooklyn’s demographics; quality, taste, freshness still live up to the high standards of Joey Allaham‘s other eateries.

Putting my Margherita in the oven…

Last evening I couldn’t wait to try them out, the whole day I’d been salivating at the thought of tasting their pizza… I ordered a simple Margherita which comes with San Marzano tomato sauce, homemade mozzarella, basil and parmegiano cheese…

It looked delicious, it smelled delicious, it tasted delicious…

No tomato compares with the San Marzano variety. With its superior, rich tomato flavor and meaty interior, this is the classic variety for superb canning and paste making. Many of the world’s top chefs consider San Marzano the best sauce tomato on earth.

Today, for lunch I went back and ordered a pizza I’d never tasted before. I wanted to try something different, I wanted to see what made Chef Giulio Adriani tick, so I ordered his favorite, The Montanara. This is a fried dough pizza…

Frying the dough for my Montanara…

Once the dogh was nicely fried, it was covered with the ingredients that make a Margherita…

Incredible what frying the dough, does for the taste.

As scrumptious as my last eve’s Margherita was, The Montanara was so much better! No wonder it is Chef Giulio‘s favorite.

So, what could possibly be wrong with having such a great pizzeria in the neighborhood? That’s easy… I’m becoming addicted! I will be returning again, and again, and again!

CS

Basil – Finally Again

Late afternoon yesterday, SYR and I had the pleasure of stopping by Basil (see here and here) – 270 Kingston Ave; Brooklyn, NY 11213; Telephone: 718.285.8777. While many eateries, in the kosher world, become too complacent as their quality declines, Basil still maintains their high standards.

I started my meal with an ice cold Weihenstephan Beer. Brewed in Germany since 1040, at the world’s oldest existing brewery, it is a golden-yellow wheat beer, with its fine white foam, with aromas of cloves and a refreshing banana flavor. It is full bodied and with a smooth yeast taste. It paired superbly with the Wild Mushroom Pizza I shared with
SYR (it comes with a delicious goat cheese, mozzarella and truffle oil)…

and the Garlic-Truffle-Mayo and Parmesan Fries I had. SYR opted for a Roasted Cauliflower with Gremolata Breadcrumbs side.

they had a “delicate buttery and lemony taste,” she said. She washed it all down with a 2011 Baron Herzog Chardonnay. She described it as having, “intense floral aromas which were followed by notes of fresh peach, pear and citrus with hints of toasty vanilla oak. Soft in texture and well-balanced.”

We finished the meal with a selection of in-house pastries, which included a melt in your mouth chocolate croissant, an apple turnover, a cinnamon danish and more; a great finish for a great meal! We shouldn’t have waited so long to come back…

CS