The 250th birthday pizza special of $2.50 for a large cheese pizza at Reginelli’s all month caused me to call my youngest brother, who is a fan of Reginelli’s. He clarified that his true feelings about Reginelli’s mirror my own, which is that it is a fine pizza, but not outstanding in any way. He then proceeded to ask me what places in town are serving what I would call outstanding pizza.
Since he lives in Metairie, I suggested Il Supremo, which he affirmed as highly desirable, considering that I was certainly not the first to suggest it to him. He still hadn't been. As passionate a pizza lover as I am, because of my affirmation, he went that very afternoon, and called me the next day to rate it as rather ho-hum. He was also frustrated, as I am, by their lack of interest in serving slices of anything but cheese and pepperoni, or something with hot honey.
I validated his annoyance with this and suggested a few others: the usual ones like NOLA pizza at the brewery of the same name on Tchoupitoulas, and St. Pizza on Magazine. He is also familiar with Pizza Delicious, but though he is not deterred by grunge as I am, parking and all the other impediments to procuring a slice there deter him.
I suggested Forbidden, which has formerly annoyed me with their hours of operation and difficulty ordering a slice other than online. He went the next day and called me to affirm my passion for it.
Ironically, the very next day, I left a fancy lunch hungry and found myself waiting to turn onto Baronne St. from Lafayette St. There were people outside Forbidden Pizza. When I was there! Mid-afternoon and not on a weekend! I could barely contain my excitement. I parked in front and ran in to order a slice. It took just minutes to heat, and I left with a sensational slice of New York-style pizza covered with so much pepperoni there was barely a peek of cheese. The slices of pepperoni were “cupped”, meaning a tiny puddle of grease settled in the center as the edges curled. I also included sausage on the slice, and what wasn't pepperoni was delicious Italian sausage. And, unlike Il Supremo, I had lots of other choices for a slice.
The place turns out a terrific slice. The whole pies are as large as Fat Boy’s, but that is where the comparison ends. Forbidden Pizza runs in the $30 range. (never thought I’d see that, or more significantly, happily accept such a thing.) But it is because the sauce is wonderful, there is a great cheese-to-crust ratio, and the crust is perfection. Thin and stiff with charred bubbles on the perimeter crust.
There are quite a few whole pies in a case waiting for decisions from customers, like a New York pizzeria, only very much more glamorous and hip. I just love this place. One day, I will indulge in the full experience and sit at a barstool by the window. It is pleasant and happening in there. Service is friendly and helpful.
The slice was $6.95. It was a tad bit more than Il Supremo, but it was also larger. And I agree with my brother, much better.
I will still go to Il Supremo for a pizza hit when I am in the neighborhood, but I now have four places to get my pizza fix, and as a New York-style pizza fanatic, that realization thrills me.