Rate-A-Restaurant #388: Gino's East (Sherman Oaks)

Restaurant: Gino's East

Location: 12924 Riverside Dr (Sherman Oaks)

Type of restaurant: Chicago-style deep dish pizza

We stipulated: We've been eager to try Gino's East since they arrived in Los Angeles, in order to get a taste of Chicago without having to order a frozen pizza. The lines have been too long, however, and then the restaurant shut down entirely at the start of the pandemic. Now that they've instituted carry out, we were ready to try it.

They stipulated: Pizzas take around 45 minutes to bake. During the Covid-19 Pandemic, they are offering carryout and delivery from 12pm-9pm every day. Call (818) 788-5050!

What we ordered: Deep dish 12" build your own pizza ($24) with pepperoni (+$3.25); Deep dish 12" supreme pizza -- Italian sausage with onions, green peppers, mushrooms ($33). Bonus pizza: We bought during a buy two large, get a small 9" pizza for free special, and we chose Spinach Margherita -- spinach, cherry tomatoes, fresh Mozzarella, basil (normally $26).

High point:   Loved that free pizza deal. Also, with no traffic, we got to Sherman Oaks in 11 minutes! Pizzas were ready and it was easy to pick up.

Overall impression: Here's an important point: Even that short trip home, followed by a bit of a wait before eating, cooled off the pizzas a bit. Chicago style pizzas are best when they're hot, and the cheese is melting. And the crust needs to be crunchy. When you get home, stick the pizza in the oven at 400 degrees for another 15 minutes. You'll be glad you did. Otherwise, you may be disappointed -- initially I had a "ugh, this isn't as good as Chicago" taste. But when I heated the pizzas up, it improved dramatically. Also, with all that pizza, we managed three meals out of it! Buy more. You won't be disappointed with the leftovers.

Will we return:  Absolutely. Yes, the price appears steep, but don't forget, these are deep dish slices. You'll make more than one meal out of it. Probably.

Pizza and a Movie: The Best Deal in Town Can Be Found in Highland Park (Shh!)

I hesitate to share this with folks who don't know — we can't let the Highland Theatre get *too* crowded, after all! But nonetheless, a tip: First-run movies are still just $7 before 6 p.m. at the Highland Theatre in Highland Park.  And even after that, they're $10 for adults and $8 for kids. What's more, they're $6 ALL DAY on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

That's thing one. Thing two: A block over, Folliero's still serves pizza and pasta at a good price. Most dishes are in the $7 range, and a small pizza will also just send you back $7. It's not the best, but it's pretty great for the price. There is still such a thing as dinner and a movie on a budget. Just don't tell too many people about it!

Creepy Subway, The Best Pizza, Big Gay Ice Cream: Scenes From a Brief Trip to New York

There are few things more unsettling than sitting on an almost empty Subway car in New York — and then realizing, as the rest of the people get off the train, that you're the only one there. That happened during my most recent trip to New York City... and yes, after snapping this pic, I decided to switch to the Subway car next door, which had several people there. Hey, gotta be street smart!

In New York to hold a series of work meetings, I, of course, made sure to hit some of my favorite spots — including Posto Pizza (the best thin crust anywhere), my fave in all of NYC, and grab a Salty Bea Arthur (now called a "Salty Dorothy," I assume due to legal reasons) at Big Gay Ice Cream. I also enjoy hitting the free galleries at the New York Library (located close to my office), where the display looked back at the freewheeling 1960s.

Some pics below:

Rate-A-Restaurant #377: Industrial Eats (Buellton)

Restaurant: Industrial Eats

Location: 181 Industrial Way (Buellton)

Type of restaurant: Pizza, sandwiches



We stipulated: On a quick trip in nearby Solvang, we needed a kid-friendly restaurant that also allowed dogs. Industrial Eats not only ticked off those boxes, but it also fulfilled one more need: Decent food.



They stipulated: "Quality, local food served here. Our restaurant and butcher shop feature food sourced from the Central Coast. Dine in or get your hands dirty carving up your own animal in one of our workshops. You can even take us home with you. Enjoy fresh preserves, pâtés, cheese and handmade bacon."



What we ordered: Mike: tomato, fennel sausage, mozzarella, basil pizza ($14); Maria: wild mushrooms, camembert, garlic confit pizza ($15); Kids: tomato, mozzarella, basil ($13)



High point:  That pizza crust was pretty fantastic, thanks to the wood burning oven. But the high point was also being able to bring our tiny dog inside. It made such an important impact on us.



Low point:  It was so crowded that we had to sit at the bar, which was fine -- but we didn't quite get a full explanation of how the menu worked.



Overall impression: An impressive eatery in Buellton, of all spots, and well worth a visit. The food, the environment, the location (in an industrial spot, natch), it all worked. Skip Pea Soup Andersen's and hit Industrial Eats the next time you drive past Buellton.



Will we return: Absolutely, looking forward to it.

Rate-A-Restaurant #334: Zero Zero (San Francisco)

Restaurant: Zero Zero

Location: 826 Folsom (San Francisco)

Type of restaurant: Pizza



We stipulated: For our last night in New York, we wanted to eat near our hotel, and find something tasty but also kid-friendly. Artisan woodfire pizza: A yes for us. Any pizza at all: A yes for the kids. Win win.
They stipulated: "With Zero Zero, noted chef and certified pizzaiolo Bruce Hill (BIX, Picco, and Pizzeria Picco) offers San Francisco diners a unique venue for his wood-fired pizzas and other Italian offerings. Opened Summer 2010 in the SOMA neighborhood Zero Zero takes its name from the ultra-finely ground flour used in traditional Neapolitan pizza dough and features variations on the pizzas that have developed a devoted following at Hill's Pizzeria Picco in Larkspur, just across from the Golden Gate Bridge in Marin County. Zero Zero's menu also includes inventive pasta dishes, a range of starters and antipasti, including crudo, house-cured salumi, a changing selection of bruschetta and salads, and, for dessert, Hill's signature soft serve ice cream."




What we ordered: Fillmore pizza (Hen of the Woods Mushrooms, Leeks, Mozzarella, Grana Padano, Pecorino, Fontina, Garlic, Thyme - $17.50); Margherita pizza (Tomato Sauce, Basil, Mozzarella, Grana Padano, De Padova Extra Virgin Olive Oil - $14.50); Radiatore with Braised Short Rib, Lacinato Kale, Marrow Butter and Gremolata ($21.50)



High point:  We almost didn't get the radiatore, but I'm glad we did. The short rib made for a nice, hearty dish.

Low point:  It's a bit of a scene, so perhaps still not the best place to take the kids. Yet ironically it was the obnoxious couple next to us that forced another couple to move tables.

Overall impression: Great spot if you're in the SOMA area. Pizzas are fantastic, but don't pass up the pasta! I wish I had known about the soft serve, but then again, we over ordered and were stuffed. (The cold pizza made for a good breakfast the next day.)

Will we return: I could see us returning if we were back in SF and once again staying close by.

Rate-A-Restaurant #332: Urban Pie

Restaurant: Urban Pie

Location: Mobile food unit (various)

Type of restaurant: Pizza



We stipulated: The Blogger Kids' school held a major fall festival/fundraising event in Elysian Park last month, and several food vendors took part. But I bypassed the empanadas, the tacos and other stands because I'm a sucker for mobile wood-burning pizza ovens.

They stipulated: "We use an all natural yeast, not a commercial starter that we have been feeding for the past 30 years. We really have an unwavering commitment to seasonality and local foods. You can feel good that by supporting us you support small businesses and families, while eating good food that is at it's peak of season and nutritional value."


What we ordered: Sausage, kale and shishito pepper pizza ($10)

High point:  Love the idea of mixing sausage, kale and shishito peppers together. And the crust was fantastic.

Low point:  Not enough peppers. I need to feel the spice.

Overall impression: Great addition to the school festival.

Will we return: I wouldn't mind trying more of their pizzas.

Rate-A-Restaurant #296: Artichoke Basille's Pizza

Restaurant: Artichoke Basille's Pizzs

Location: 328 East 14th Street (East Village, Manhattan)

Type of restaurant: Pizza




We stipulated: It was my last night in New York, and stepping out of a Broadway show at around 10:15, I was hungry. A friend suggested Mario Batali's Eataly for a quick bite. But by the time I got there, the upscale grocer was winding down for the night. But at that point I had pizza on the mind. I had read about Artichoke Basille's, and saw that they were open until 5 a.m. -- no chance of missing out on a slice.



They stipulated: "Pizzaiolos, cousins and best friends, Francis Garcia and Sal Basille opened Artichoke Basille's® on 14th St. in 2008. Having gotten their hands into the business early working at their family's restaurant, Basille's in Staten Island, the boys and their pizza shop have made more than a name for themselves in Manhattan."



What we ordered: A slice of Artichoke pizza ($4.50)

High point:  That crisp crust is all the more amazing given how much creamy sauce is piled on the Artichoke pizza.

Low point: Man, is this pizza rich. I couldn't stop wondering how many calories I was putting into my body. I know, I know, that's not the point. But I hadn't exercised all week in NYC, and was starting to feel guilty.



Overall impression: It truly is like eating an Artichoke dip pizza. The creamy sauce isn't overpowering, and wow do they put a lot of cheese on it. The slices are HUGE, and even though I didn't plan on eating all of it, I sure came close.

Chance we'll go back: I might be willing to try their new line of frozen pizzas, but I'm not sure I'll return when I'm back in NYC. Don't get me wrong, it was delicious, but I've got a "been there, done that" kind of attitude toward Artichoke Basille's. We'll see.

Rate-A-Restaurant #280: Atwater Crossing Kitchen

Restaurant: Atwater Crossing Kitchen



Location: 3245 Casitas Ave. (Atwater Village)

Type of restaurant: New American/ Pizza





We stipulated: We were looking for a new spot to ride our bikes to, and Maria had recently visited Atwater Crossing. We wanted something casual and kid-friendly for a Saturday night, and Atwater Crossing Kitchen delivered.



They stipulated: Breakfast is served from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., while flatbreads are served all day. Wi-fi is available as well.





What we ordered: Funghi wood-fired flatbread (wood oven roasted mushrooms, Fontina cheese,on site herbs; $10.50); Rustica flatbread (crispy pepperoni, fresh mozzarella, San Marzano tomato sauce, $11); sesame ginger kale salad (currant, pumpkin seeds, apple vinaigrette served on a bed of leafy greens, with salmon; $8.50)



High point: The entire experience, from the friendly waiter to the excellent flatbread, was fantastic. But most importantly, it was a great place to bring the kids. Plenty of room for them to run around next to, but separate from, the dining area. The adjacent train tracks didn't hurt, although no train passed by when we were there. It'salso a big enough space that Glendale High Class of 2002 was holding a reunion event in the bar area, but we had room to spread out in the mostly empty dining area. Also, the salad was great, but the expertly cooked salmon made it even better.

Low point: I do wish the menu was a bit more diverse; the restaurant promises an "ever-evolving backboard menu," but if there was one, we didn't see it.



Overall impression: Located next to the tracks in an industrial portion of Atwater Village. It gives it an added hole-in-the-wall (but really BIG hole-in-the-wall), "special-find" feeling

Chance we'll go back: Hopefully we'll be back, although I'm now concerned about rumors that Atwater Village Crossing has new owners. Could it be that we hit the restaurant right before it flipped into something different? Stay tuned.

Now You Can Take A Bite of The Hot and Saucy "Mayor's Mistress"

As spotted by my friend Joe, from a recent Thrillist email about new pizzeria Apollonia's, it's the "Mayor's Mistress" pizza -- pepperoni, Italian sausage, tomato basil and garlic. Sounds delicious. Do Mirthala (above) or Lu get a discount?