New York Bites: Artichoke Pizza

Chicagoans worship their deep dish, New Yorkers boast about their foldable thin crust, and New Haveners....well I suppose their "apizza" may be something special; but nothing beats a pizza place that takes the ooey gooey, comforting goodness of cheese, crust, and sauce and turns that traditional, tasty combo into something atypical and absolutely delicious!

If you're in New York for a visit and looking for something different from the usual New York slice, Artichoke Pizza should be your first stop. With piping hot slices, fresh ingredients, and unique flavors, Artichoke Pizza transcends traditional New York pizza. The pizzeria's signature "Artichoke and Spinach" pie has people crawling back for piece after piece... provided you're able to handle the richness of a single slice.

I finally had my first slice of artichoke and spinach pizza from their location on 14th and 1st in New York's East Village. The service was quick and the pizzas were fresh. The flowing dinner crowd that marched in and out of the pickup spot indicated to tourists that they'd arrived to the correct location and signaled to regulars that they were going to have to wait a little longer for their heavenly slice. In true New York fashion, my slice of pizza was placed in the oven for a quick warm up and them graciously placed into an over-sized box.  The smell alone was enough to turn heads as I walked back to my apartment.

In regard to taste, this slice of artichoke and spinach definitely makes my top 5 for pizza, up in the ranks with Lou Malnatti's. The crust was crispy, with the proper amount of thickness, not overly oiled or salty, and paired well with the toppings. With a creamy sauce that blended with the freshly melted cheese, the richness of the pair melded well with the pieces of artichoke and spinach on the slice. The crust, sauce, and toppings resulted in a trio of rich, developed, and mouth-watering flavor.

While Artichoke's signature slice wears a $4.50/slice price tag, the large portion and tastiness of the piece more than overshadows the cost. Moreover, with a slice so full of flavor and brimming with rich ingredients, for most patrons one slice is more than sufficient.

Extra perk: They're open until 5am for all of your late night/early morning needs!


Artichoke Pizza
East Village Location
328 East 14th Street
New York, New York 10012
212-228-2004
10am-5am

keep calm and nom on,
 
gf

Simply 7: Mushroom+Caramelized Onion Pizza

Hello Nomsters,

We're back with another "Simply 7" post to give you ideas for simple, delicious dishes that can be made in an apartment, dorm, or home with fewer than 7 ingredients (sans the basics, salt/olive oil/etc)!
We covered homemade pastas and pasta salads in a previous post, so this time we're summing up a recipe for homemade pizza that'll have you begging for another slice! (or least keep you from feeling the desire to order in pizza all of the time)

Mushrooms are one of my favorite foods, especially in pizza or pasta. They have a way of soaking in the flavors of the other items that have been added to them, which is probably why my mom always said "watch how much butter you put in that pan!" They're like little sponges! Similarly, caramelized onions have a great taste and manage to soak in the flavors of other ingredients, so it should be no surprise that the mushroom/onion combo is probably on most people's favorites list. My recipe for this basically came out of thin air, I had a bunch of mushrooms and onions and figured I'd add some other random seasoning and make a pizza! So here you go :)

Pizza Dough 

You can use this Recipe from our pizza post! Or buy premade dough from your local grocer (Trader Joe's has awesome dough, ~$1.99)

Onion Topping
Ingredients:
-1 to 2 small/medium Onions
-1 to 2 Tbsp Olive Oil
-1 Tsp Cinnamon
-Salt/Pepper (to taste)








Mushroom Topping
Ingredients:
-1 Large package of Mushrooms (I used Baby Portobella and sliced them up myself)
-Salt/Pepper (to taste)
-1/2-1 Tbsp Butter
-1/4 Cup Water
-1 Tbsp Olive oil
-1 Tsp Oregano (optional, or to taste)

-1 to 2 cups Parmesan Cheese/Asiago/whatever you're feeling or have on hand 

Method

So, the pizza-making process is pretty easy, make the dough, let it rest, while it's resting cook/assemble your toppings, go back to the dough and roll it out/oil it, add your toppings, add the cheese+a bit of olive oil, put it in the oven, nom nom nom! But, since we're dealing with other ingredients, we'll break it down for you. When making this particular pizza, I started with cooking the onion mix and then cooked the mushrooms in the same pan after (gives more flavor!).

Oven @ 475F

1. Chop onions into slices, or into thin rough pieces, season with salt and pepper,
2. Heat up your olive oil in a skillet over medium/high heat (approx 1-2mins or when you add a piece of onion it sizzles),

3. Add onions, additional salt/pepper/oil if needed, add cinnamon to taste, continue to stir until caramelized (about 5-8minutes),
4. Turn off burner, scoop onions into separate bowl and set aside,
5. Slice mushrooms into bite-sized pieces, heat up olive oil and butter in the onion skillet on medium heat,
6. Place half of the mushrooms in skillet and lightly spread them out, add your water. As the mushrooms begin to soak up the liquid, add the rest of your mushrooms,
7. Season with salt/pepper and oregano, lightly stir mushrooms, continue cooking until tender,
8. There will be extra liquid in the pan, make sure to remove the liquid (draining) as to prevent it from flooding the pizza dough.
9. Roll out pizza dough on olive oil coated pan, drizzle some olive oil over dough, use a fork to make small marks in dough to prevent bubbles,
10. Spread onion and mushroom mixture over dough, add cheese on top, place in oven and cook for about 12-16minutes or until crust is golden
11. NOM

This turned out to be one of my favorite pizzas I've made this summer, the dough was crisp, the mushrooms were flavorful, and the onions perfectly married (I don't know how I feel about this word as description of flavors yet...) with the mushrooms and cheese.

Try it out, let us know what you think!





Also, as always we appreciate the support of our followers! We've added a "donate button" so if you aren't within our delivery area, wish to contribute to the baking/innovation of The Georgetown Foodie+Nightly Noms (to provide students with recipes, reviews, a better food experience, etc), or just want to support student-run business, Operation Smile and the dream of Nightly Noms, you have that opportunity :)

-The Georgetown Foodie

Freshmen15: Georgetown + DC's top spots for freshmen foodies

Hello Nomsters,

This particular post is dedicated to the Freshmen who will be gracing our presence in the next two weeks and to all of the familiar faces we'll be seeing in our favorite food spots around G'town/DC.
If you're a freshmen at Georgetown, you've hopefully been following Vox Populi's freshmen features (the blog maintained by The Georgetown Voice) to get the inside scoop on what to expect. While Vox already covered some of the best food options around G'town, we figured we'd expand a bit and give you some more options and details!

With summer vacation quickly coming to an end, Georgetown and DC are about to be stupefied by a swarm of students once more. For freshmen, your battle with boxes, carts, and SWQ elevator frustrations will be stifling with the hot DC heat; but cool breezes, parent-paid dinners, and random floor meetings/parties will fill your nights. After your week long "welcome" onto the Hilltop, you'll no doubt want some insider information on where to get fed in the weeks following your parents' departure. So here we are to give you the skinny on the foodie culture around campus and in DC! Now, we're by no means encouraging gaining the "freshmen 15," but for the love of cake, be sure to explore your options. Up first, the basics around campus: Sandwiches & Pizza

Sandwiches: Nothing quite works as a the perfect combination of ingredients like a sandwich. Whether you're looking for a sub, croissant, pita, or bagel, you'll be able to find any of those options at one of these fine Georgetown establishments.

Wisemiller's Deli (36th & N. ) is a Georgetown favorite. With classics like the California Chicken (grilled chicken, honey mustard, avocado, lettuce, tomato, and sprouts, served warm on a croissant)
and specials like the "Hot Chick," (chicken fingers, cayenne ranch dressing, pepperjack cheese, and tomatoes) you'd be hard pressed to find a more flavorful sandwich. Wisemiller's (Wisey's) is home to fan favorites like the Chicken Madness and Burger Madness (both of which could easily send your body into a food coma), but they also play host to an array of sandwich options. So whether you're looking for a breakfast sandwich, cold cuts, or something that'll make your heart pound, you'll be sure to get your fix at Wisey's. Also, their cookies are pretty amazing, the most popular is the Oreo Cookie (a cookie with in a cookie!). Reviews/Number $5-$10
No delivery, you can call ahead though.

If you're looking for something a bit more green, "Healthy" Wisey's (Wisconsin and P) is also an option with smoothies, salads and wraps. Healthy Wisey's Menu $5-$10
Offers Delivery


Quick Pita: (Potomac & 33rd) Home to Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisine, Quick Pita provides options for students looking for an atypical sandwich. Quick Pita offers small plates like tabouli (salad-like appetizer, $4.45), hummus/pita ($4.95), and falafel ($8.64))and a variety of sandwiches ranging from chicken shwarma to eggplant sandwich Besides their Mediterranean flare, Quick Pita offers a daily lunch special, sandwich, fries, and a soda, for $6.82. Quick Pita also has a series of meat and veggie pies that you can purchase as a light meal or small snack.  Quick Pita Menu. $5-$11 Offers delivery

The Miami Burger, Booey's

Booey's (32nd & Prospect): A bit further off campus then Wisey's, Booeymonger's is another frequented spot by both students and residents. Booey's makes a mean sandwich and has a larger variety of breakfast options if you're looking to avoid Leo's. The Miami Burger is one of my favorites, it's your standard Lox & Bagel with all of the trimmings; and without buying the ingredients yourself, it's probably the cheapest you'll find in the Georgetown area ($7.25). I also know for a fact that the Fifth Avenue ($6.50) is also delicious, with hot pastrami, grilled mushrooms, muenster cheese, on a french roll (which is perfectly crispy), you can't go wrong. If you're looking for something a bit littler/veggie, the Natural is also a good option with spinach, tomato, turkey, melted provolone, and Russian dressing (6.50). Along with sandwiches, fries, salads, and dessert, Booey's also has some of the cheapest pitchers of *hem hem* beer ($7.25) in the neighborhood. $5-$13 Booey's Menu No Delivery

2am Miracle

Pizza: Now, you have a couple of options for pizza. If you're looking to order in, a quick fix, or a post party late night slice then Tuscany's (Prospect & 33rd) is your best bet. Offering a quarter-pie slice of either cheese or pepperoni for about $3.75, you can't go wrong. Just make sure you ask for a side of ranch!! I know, I know, "why ranch." But have faith in this blog and the majority of the Georgetown student population, ranch-dipped pizza is like french fries dipped in a Wendy's Frosty: it just works (especially at 2am). Fun fact: If you're looking for more than pizza, Tuscany's Turkey Pesto Sandwich is a great choice. It's both fresh and gives the appearance of being healthier. Keep in mind though that the sandwiches are huge there, so sharing is caring. 4am on weekends, 2am weekdays.   Order Here $4-$10 Offers Delivery

Ledo's pizza is also a good option for delivery if you're in search of a full pizza. Their claim to fame is providing the public with square pizzas that are cut in the same shape. The overall taste and quality may be a bit better than Tuscany's jumbo slice, but you can't beat the convenience of Tuscany's. $12-$22 Order Here 

Ledo's, courtesy of Serious Eats

If you're in the mood for a sit down pizza option, there's both Uno's Pizzeria or Pizzeria Paradiso on M. Street. Being a Chicago native, I tend to shy away from Uno's and their claims to "Chicago-Style" deep dish, but they do have a good thin crust option. On the other hand, for those of you in the 21+ club Uno's has a phenomenal happy hour, which occurs twice daily in the afternoon and late-night. Pizzeria Paradio is home to more traditional Italian style pizzas. With very thin crust, light sauces, and fresh ingredients, Paradiso is usually a good option for a nice dinner out that won't completely rip through your pockets. Paradiso also has really good happy hour specials on both pizza and drinks. $12-$20 Uno's Menu  Paradiso Menu

Finally, if you're up for a walk, the Safeway up Wisconsin has a variety of cafe options, including pizza, sushi bar, salad bar, and sandwich station.

That's all for now and let us know if we were helpful! Comments always appreciated :)
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Happy Nomming,

The Georgetown Foodie

Restaurant Review: Tarry Lodge by Mario Batali

Black Fettuccine+Rock Shrimp

Hello Friendly Nomsters,

It's been a while since I wrote about the wonders of a dinner on the town and with my past post about bug eating I think it's high time I give you some pictures of things you would consider eating on the spot rather than as a "life experience." Prior to my travels to Beijing, I ended up with an impromptu layover and visited my roommate and her family in Westport, CT. The Westport and Greenwich areas boast a nice array of dining options due to their proximity to the city, which is why Mario Batali chose to open his second Tarry Lodge restaurant in Westport. With some strategic planning/pestering on my roommate's, part, and a bit of luck we ended up with a reservation during the restaurant's opening week (obviously I was practically jumping out of my seat with excitement when she told me).

The basic fact you need to know about Mario Batali: he's an Iron Chef praised for his impeccably fresh Italian cuisine and known for running around Kitchen Stadium in clogs (of the Dutch variety). From homemade gnocchi to stone oven baked pizzas, Batali prides himself on using the freshest of ingredients to satiate the tastebuds of his loyal critics and customers. He has a wide array of restaurants, mostly in New York, ranging from trattorias to seafood restaurants. Tarry Lodge Enoteca Pizzeria (crudely translated "an informal place to grab some delicious wine, pizza, and pasta"), is one of Batali's  culinary experiences that packs a flavorful and memorable punch.

Tuna Tartar

For dinner we sampled a variety of appetizers and entrees. I personally satisfied my foodie appetite with Tuna Tartar as a starter and a bowl of the Black Fettuccine with Rock Shrimp and Chilis as my entree. The Tuna Tartar was delicious if raw fish is your thing and if your first time going for raw fish (besides sushi) be sure to go someplace that you know uses good cuts and fresh ingredients. A nicely formed mound of raw tuna was placed atop a bed of arugula and mixed greens, finished with small cronstinis for dipping. The tuna mixture had a nice tangy flavor, probably from lime juice. Overall a satisfying small plate, but nothing to moan about.

On the other hand, the Black Fettuccine could have had me out of my seat screaming after the first bite. When I first saw the menu, I wasn't quite sure if I really wanted to try the Black Fettuccine, which is a homemade pasta that turns out black as night due to being made with squid ink. After perusing the rest of the menu, I decided to try something I was less likely to find at another Italian restaurant, than my typically gnocchi overdose. The Black Fettuccine was incredible. The pasta had a hint of seafood due to the squid ink, while the broth was enhanced by the lobster base and rock shrimp topping. There was also grilled corn and onions throughout the dish that added a bit of spice to the pasta. The overall dish was savory, but very light, making it a perfect entree.

Finally, we split an order of tiramisu, which was also quite tasty, but not overwhelmingly sweet, which made it a good ending to a lovely dinner out.

Enjoy Restaurant Week DC!

-gf

A Taste of Greece on a Slice of Italy-Greek Inspired Pizza

Hello Nomsters,

Long time no see, summer's been a bit busy for us over here, especially since we're working out Nightly Noms plans for the fall/spring at Georgetown. Regardless of being busy, one must always take a moment to refuel, and this homemade Greek-inspired pizza is a perfect way to boost your mood. The original recipe came from Giada's Food Network Show; however, the version here has a few modifications along with the fact that I decided to make the pizza dough from scratch (which you can choose not to do of course!).

The pizza itself was pretty easy to make, the only difficult spots that could arise would be due to working out the timing so that all of the ingredients are ready to hit the oven at the same time! The flavors from this pizza are incredible tasty and aromatic, the combination of the spinach, feta, and kalamata olives (my own addition) all add to the Grecian flare; the addition of mint and garlic takes this pizza's flavor overboard. Also, if you opt to make the homemade crust, be assured that it is well worth the time. With a crispy outside and fluffy inside, this dough recipe truly enhances the overall taste of the pizza, but of course store-bought dough is a bit easier if you're in a time pinch!

Crust:
Ingredients
-1 packet of dry active yeast
-1 cup warm/hot water
-2 Tbsp olive oil
-1 tsp sugar
-1 tsp salt
-2 1/2 cups flour(+1/4 for kneading)


Method
1. Empty pack of yeast into a bowl, add warm water and stir until yeast has dissolved,

2. Add the sugar and salt, mix well,

3. Pour about half of the flour into the liquid mix, using a spoon to incorperate, add the oilive oil and
continue to mix,

4. Add the rest of the flour, and mix/begin to knead,

5. Use about 1/4 extra flour spread out on counter to knead dough, knead dough approx 5-8 minutes,
until springy,

6. Place dough back in bowl and cover lightly with a dish towel or clingwrap and let sit for 20-30 minutes.

Topping:

Ingredients
-3 tablespoons olive oil
-3-4 scallions (pale green/white parts only, thinly sliced)
-Salt & ground black pepper
-3 cloves garlic (minced or chopped)
-1 bag or 12oz spinach leaves
-1 (4-ounce) chunk feta cheese (crumbled)
-1/2 cup chopped fresh mint (optional)
-8-12 Kalamata olives (thinly sliced or chopped, optional)

Method 

For the crust, preheat the oven to 475 degrees F. Then, coat a baking tray or pizza stone with olive oil, roll the dough to desired thickness (you can use a bit of flour or olive oil on your hands to prevent the dough from sticking) and place on the tray/stone. Finally, using a fork, prick small holes into the dough as to prevent bubbles. Set aside.

For the topping,
1. In a large frying pan or skillet, heat the 3 Tbsp of oil over medium-high heat.

2. Add the scallions and season with salt and pepper. Cook, frequently stirring until tender (approx 5 minutes).

3. Add the garlic and cook for about 30 seconds.

4. In batches, add the spinach and cook until wilted (approx 5 minutes), then add the olives and mint.

5. Remove the pan from heat and distribute mixture over the dough, crumble the feta cheese on top and add salt/pepper to taste. Finally, drizzle a bit of olive oil over pizza.




Bake until the dough is golden and crunchy, 15 to 18 minutes. Cut into squares and enjoy!