#TerrificTakeout by @ManhattanPeachy #PeachyDeegan #WhomYouKnow #BrooklynPizzaMasters Brooklyn Pizza Masters by Alfred Mitaj and Aurel Xhepexhiu Inaugural Review #Manhattan #Pizza
Owners Aurel Xhepexhiu and Alfred Mitaj
TA DA!
We must admit, when we find a new pizza place in Manhattan, Peachy Deegan feels like Columbus discovering America! And we found one to brag about.
Brooklyn Pizza Masters, led by owners Alfred Mitaj and Aurel Xhepexhiu, made a great impression upon us on our first visit ever. They were there the minute we walked in, the venue was spotless (key to success), they were friendly, and their culinary endeavors looked fantastic.
They opened on August 2, 2018 at 1055 First Avenue, right around the corner from our pal Jimmy Neary, the longest recommended restaurateur of Whom You Know (we've been recommending him since 2010; he has been in business there since 1967.)
As far as Pasta entrees go, there are four selections on the menu. Naturally, Penne alla Vodka jumped out at us because of our obvious vodka influence. If you are new to Whom You Know, you know The Peachy Deegan cocktail made only with Star Vodka has been a staple of Whom You Know since it began. So, if we aren't drinking vodka, we like to eat it. The pasta was perfectly al dente and the vodka sauce had lovely flavor. Topped with Parmigiano Reggiano, it's a success. We suggest you add grilled chicken to this party.
We were even more impressed with the salad, and after the pizza, we think in general salads are the second most important food a pizza place should excel in. More of us need to be eating more salad, and not everyone excels in this area, or even has it on the menu. Brooklyn Pizza Masters hits the high notes on both produce quality and size with their Grilled Asparagus, Cherry Tomatoes and Arugula. We like their halved cherry tomatoes and their attention to detail in cutting up the vegetables properly. Not all casual venues are as careful and precise.
We also like to order grinders at pizza places.
If you are not from Connecticut, you should know that people in Boston and New York call grinders heroes or subs. The rest of the world probably calls them sandwiches.
There is not a grinder section of the menu per se, however, you will find a Rosemary Focaccia Panini section, so put your pinkie out and get ready to order.
We let Alfred and Aurel pick this section (Peachy of course picked all other parts) and their selection of L'Italiano is perfect for a warm day. A cold Prosciutto di Parma and Sopressata combination will elevate your inner high-end coldcut monster, especially when you consider it is paired with fresh mozzarella. Pesto mayo and caramelized onions add extra panache and flair.
The pizza was BY FAR the best aspect of the cuisine, and we ordered the large cheese and picked vegetables to grace it: tomatoes (they use Alta Cucina), garlic, kale, onions and artichokes. From the perfectly crisp crust to the superlatively flavored sauce to the phenomenally delicious cheese and of course nutritious vegetables we picked, this pizza was a masterful success, thus they are aptly named.
Our resident pizza monster personally delicately devoured the majority of it in fewer than 24 hours, it was that great. Actions speak louder than words.
It insisted on glamour shots:
Peachy is wearing Taylor for the first time, a fabulous dress brand started in 2007 by our talented friend Robert Maslin. Stay tuned on Taylor...
Brooklyn Pizza Masters is Terrific Takeout and we look forward to seeing what they do next!
We look forward to your Twitter, Brooklyn Pizza Masters!
