Food & Drink

Mid-day Gourmet

Authentic New York Style Pizzerias Out East

Searching

for real New York style pizza has gotten very easy lately. I remember back in 1991, when we first moved to Florida, we had to drive 15 miles one way to get a slice of New York pizza. Otherwise we were stuck with the large chain pizzas which both leave a bit to be desired to this New Yorker. Fortunately, Wise Guys Pizzeria opened recently in the Walmart shopping plaza at University Parkway and Lockwood Ridge Road. Big Nick Jannette spent four years working at a New York City pizzeria learning the art of making great pizza. And like all New York pizzerias, Wise Guys is a small family owned business, not some big corporation that measures and weighs everything. So, when you order a pie or slice with toppings, you can count on a generous portion, using the freshest ingredients. You can count on delicious 'Heroes' (that's New York for subs), including Italian, eggplant, chicken, veal, meatball, or sausage. All can be made into 'parmigiana' (that means topped with melted mozzarella cheese). Homemade soups and salads are also available with the Italian antipasto salad being my favorite. It includes mixed greens, cukes, tomatoes, olives, ham, provolone cheese and salami mixed with Italian dressing. Enjoy your soup or salad with Big Nick's Garlic Knots. Bet you can't eat just one! I've always loved Italian dinners, and Wise Guys menu includes such favorites as baked ziti, manicotti, stuffed shells, ravioli, lasagna, fettucini alfredo, tortellini, chicken or veal parmigiana or marsala and spaghetti with various sauces including Chef Nick's Aurora sauce. If you have room for dessert, Italian cannolis are great. And you can wash it all 16

Living

OUT EAST October 2008 down with domestic and imported wines and beer, as well as soft drinks and coffee. If you happen to live too far away from Wise Guys, let me give you some of my other New York pizzeria favorites, all out east. All of our local New York style pizzerias have similar menus and prices. If you live in Heritage Harbor, try Marinos on the corner of Lakewood Ranch Blvd. and St. Road 64. For those in Lakewood Ranch, there are two excellent pizzerias on St. Road 70. Michaelangelos makes fabulous pizzas, and Sopranos, located in the Sweet Bay center actually to the west cooks their pies on wire screens that allows the crust to get nice and crisp. And for those on the University Parkway side of the ranch, University Park Country Club, Palm Aire or The Meadows, you must try Brando's Pizza, located right next door to the University Auto Spa. And always remember that these are small family businesses, where the owner is always present, making sure that your meal is truly enjoyable. As always, tell them that carwash Steve sent you. Wise Guys Pizzeria is located at 8428 Lockwood Ridge Rd. Call (941) 360-9800. Next month, while Barb and I are visiting Italy and Southern France, Ginny Orenstein will be your guest writer. By Steve Grossman, past president of the Lakewood Ranch Gourmet Club. He has enjoyed lunch out in 27 countries on six continents during his business career. Now he is co-owner of the University Auto Spa and reviews local lunch (and occasional breakfast) spots for Living Out East readers.

Save Water, Save Money and Enjoy Instant Hot Water. We can install the latest Grundfos technology and you will see the savings INSTANTLY!

Call

Gator Plumbing, Inc.

941-747-1110

Serving the area since 1979

living livin living livin internal medicine, family practice, gynecology, podiatry, cardiology, pediatrics and walk-in clinic.lakewood ranch medical center ?????(941) 907-3828 living congratulates rex 8 living fall fertilization new manatee county commission: new opportunities 12 13 food & drink 10 authentic new york style pizzerias out east 744-5000 fall fashion trends socks, socks, and more socks.... daniel how do you part your hair?gulf coast paver restoration an honest voice in washington.living 1/100th of a second makes a huge difference raymond james intelligence briefing on all that is new out east survey says...get a survey! gregory living the glossy ibis larry morris flair an interview with john wetenhall of the ringling museum protect the investment in your property about town uptown & around w what's happening nissan s p o t l i g h t 41 is out east a fashion center?how have fashion shopping opportunities out east changed in the last year or so?welcome new chamber members 45 living the pediatric center november 15-16 h e a lt hy alternatives u p close & personal every special occasion (941) 798-6561 healthy relationships health happenings we create beautiful smiles bmw of sarasota