#InauguralReview #FamousCalabriaPizza Since 2016 by #DenisDobercani #ArdijanHasandzekaj and #SkenderOsmani #27StJamesPlace #Downtown #Manhattan
Peachy's choice pizza!
We say it's not who you know, it's WHOM YOU KNOW and we are delighted to know Denis Dobercani and his co-owners, cousin Ardijan Hasandzekaj and pal Skender Osmani: all three purchased Famous Calabria Pizza on April 22, 2024 and the brand began in 2016.
Some have criticized us in the past by saying it doesn't matter whom we know-it matters who knows us. Well in this case the first time we ever tried calling, Denis answered and he recognized Peachy's voice and her previous accolades of Paul's Times Square as he used to work there!
So, there you have it. He knew us.
And as the Bible says it is the best when you teach other people how to fish: Denis learned a thing or two about pizza and hospitality from these winners whom we have lauded since Paul Nicaj's commanding performances starting with Battery Gardens in 2013.
We had heard great things about Famous Calabria Pizza within the last year not even knowing of the Paul connection. This is Famous Calabria Pizza's very first review and the first review of these three individuals as restaurant owners.
Famous Calabria Pizza earned a fabulous review from us before we called Paul and Dino, both of whom lauded Denis so you can feel even better about our review!
The minute Peachy walked in the door, Denis graciously greeted her with their bespoke soda water and she picked the flavor of Raspberry Lime which is so in tune with springtime. It's delicious and you ought to discover a favorite among the choices. All drinks here are non-alcoholic.
Right this second, Keste by Roberto is the only Peachy's Pick in Downtown Manhattan that excels in Pizza and theirs is Neapolitan Style. Here, it is New York Style so based on this one visit, this is our favorite New York Style pizza downtown. Shopping at Printemps and Century 21 makes us hungry so it is essential to know the pizza places in close proximity. Pizza is wonderful shopping fuel. The straight cheese pizza is a solid performance with winning sauce, our favorite element at this venue of pizza, and mozzarella that oozes and welcomes us with a big hug on our palate. The crust is light and exactly what you are looking for, and below it evidences how strong it is to hold up everything that Peachy wished for.
Onions, Broccoli, Mushrooms, Peppers and Spinach teamed up for a nutritional victory with mozzarella, obviously Peachy's most favorite vegetable. The pizza here exceeded our expectations and we know you'll be thrilled with it too.
Yes you definitely want the Grilled Vegetables, another feature that sets this place apart. Eggplant, Zucchini, Red Peppers and Portobello Mushrooms are grilled just right and are not mushy like lesser places might serve them. They also are not raw like other lesser places at the other error extreme might serve them. They are just right for Goldilocks Peachy made by these three bears! They do come with an enthusiastic embellishment of balsamic vinegar so depending on how you feel about that, order accordingly.
Shrimp Scampi (with a pasta side not pictured) is of the caliber of fine dining restaurants and is butterflied to perfection. You could also have it with salad instead. Equally commanding from the sea is the Grilled Salmon over Spinach. Denis and team have really overextended themselves in the diversity of menu with both the talent and performance to back it up.
Of course these are unedited pictures.
You know your regular run-of-the-mill pizza place doesn't possess these skills!
Philosophically, we believe that pizza and green salad are like peas and carrots and Forrest and Jenny. Fortunately, Denis believes this too we can see by his salad performance.
Another mistake lesser pizza places make is few salad choices of underperforming salads.
We count seven salads here.
Above, Grilled Chicken Salad was perfectly fresh and cut so well and similarly presented at the same caliber was the Greek Salad of Romaine, tomatoes, red onion, kalamata olives, feta and cucumber.
Some casual places are so casual they think details do not matter.
Details ALWAYS matter to us.
They listened here and the dressing was on the side, as requested.
Finally, as Peachy is a serious Fettucine Alfredo monster (akin to the Cookie Monster, her true food critic inspiration) we chose this Pasta selection which was a creamy triumph. The Pasta section has fifteen major categories with variances among each of the fifteen; we absolutely have future ambitions here. And in closing, we must say that the music here was FABULOUS and in case you hadn't noticed, we are music critics too and have worked with the Grammys for well over a decade. A big mistake new places make is having poor music that is way too loud. The music content was reminiscent of the Kells (since closed we believe) from when Peachy was a student at Boston College...and was in training eating pizza at Addie's in Lower.
Also, we spy an A.
We were impressed with Denis and company and look forward to seeing what they do next!
