Recent Comments

From Serious Eats

Ask Nancy Silverton!

Nancy, your pizza crust is unique to say the least. I'm wondering where the inspiration came from. Did you know what you were going for with the dough from the start or did you discover what you liked through the process of coming up with the recipe?

I'd also love to know what your favorite pizza places are from LA and around the country/world, and if you took any inspiration from them.

Oh, and could you come by my place and spend a couple hours showing me the secret of great pizza?

You only have to answer two of the three questions.

@Sternlight: I'd like to ask you what your question was.

From Slice

Pizza Obsessives: Craig Lindberg and His Neapolitan Garage

Third time I've read this now. I think Craig blew up the pizza section of the internet today.

From Slice

Pizza Obsessives: Craig Lindberg and His Neapolitan Garage

That was fairly mind-blowing. I always wondered how those pizzas turned out looking so great. WOW. I hope the wind blows me over to Houston soon...

From Slice

First Look: 800 Degrees Neapolitan Pizzeria, Los Angeles

@Kelly - Thanks for that link. SkyHigh has some interesting thoughts that I hope he'll share about the cost, too.

Like I said I need another visit or three to evaluate it honestly, but if 800 Degrees is what the commercialization of the Neapolitan Craze looks like then I think I'm rather relieved.

See more comments by Lance Roberts »

Recent Posts

From Slice

Los Angeles: Stella Rossa Pizza Bar

From Slice

Visiting New York City? 7 Must-Eat Pizzas You Should Try

From Slice

Pizzeria Bianco Mops the Floor with Mozza

See more posts by Lance Roberts »

Recent Favorites

From Slice

Los Angeles: Stella Rossa Pizza Bar

See more favorites by Lance Roberts »

Recent Polls

From Serious Eats: New York

Lance Roberts answered "Keste" to What's Your Favorite New-School Pizza In New York?

From Slice

Lance Roberts answered "I have at one time" to Do you work — or have you ever worked — in a pizzeria or the pizza industry?

Recent Quizzes

Lance Roberts hasn't taken any quizzes yet.

See more polls and quizzes by Lance Roberts »

Recent Comments

From Serious Eats

Ask Nancy Silverton!

Nancy, your pizza crust is unique to say the least. I'm wondering where the inspiration came from. Did you know what you were going for with the dough from the start or did you discover what you liked through the process of coming up with the recipe?

I'd also love to know what your favorite pizza places are from LA and around the country/world, and if you took any inspiration from them.

Oh, and could you come by my place and spend a couple hours showing me the secret of great pizza?

You only have to answer two of the three questions.

@Sternlight: I'd like to ask you what your question was.

From Slice

Pizza Obsessives: Craig Lindberg and His Neapolitan Garage

Third time I've read this now. I think Craig blew up the pizza section of the internet today.

From Slice

Pizza Obsessives: Craig Lindberg and His Neapolitan Garage

That was fairly mind-blowing. I always wondered how those pizzas turned out looking so great. WOW. I hope the wind blows me over to Houston soon...

From Slice

First Look: 800 Degrees Neapolitan Pizzeria, Los Angeles

@Kelly - Thanks for that link. SkyHigh has some interesting thoughts that I hope he'll share about the cost, too.

Like I said I need another visit or three to evaluate it honestly, but if 800 Degrees is what the commercialization of the Neapolitan Craze looks like then I think I'm rather relieved.

From Slice

First Look: 800 Degrees Neapolitan Pizzeria, Los Angeles

Great write-up, Kelly. I'm really interested to see how they do. I'll wait a few weeks/months to form a solid opinion on the pizza, but it's a smart concept and the value is undeniable. I still can't believe what they're charging considering we live in a world where $13 margheritas are becoming the standard. Only wish the parking was better over there since takeout/delivery is a pizza death wish for those pies.

From Talk

Pizzeria Bianco - Recent Experiences?

I filed the last Slice report and that first visit it wasn't perfect. I think it was just a dough issue and since it's all about balance in there everything got thrown off. Round two was amazing again though.

Day one we got there at 4PM and walked right in. Day two we put our name in at 5PM and ate at 6PM. Much better wait than it used to be.

From Slice

Di Fara: Rant and Response

This was really fun. I'm with livefreeorpie, I'd love to see a series of these. As much as I disagree with her sometimes, I feel like there's always a level of truth-telling when my wife dissents on one of my favorites.

From Slice

Wild Rise: Bar Pizza Made by Neapolitan-Inspired Science Geeks

@John: Let me know when the site goes up! "Starter from NY" is going to be my bullshit gimmick when I open in LA.

From Slice

Daily Slice: The Mast'Nicola from Kesté Pizza & Vino

That is exactly what I see in my mind when I think of the original pizza. Maybe this is the standard I should be judging pizza by? If you can do something great with bread, lardo, shreds of cheese and bits of basil then you REALLY know your shit.

From Chicago

Pizza Obsessives: Daniel Zemans, Slice Contributor

Thanks for sitting in the chair, Daniel. You've got the Midwest on lockdown. One question I still have...what do you shoot with? Your photos are amazing.

From Slice

My Pie Monday: Punjabi Pizza, Pizzicletta Amore, Buffalo Chicken, and More!

Am I going to have to start driving out to TXCraig1's place now? That looks serious.

From Slice

Top This: Rocket Man (à la The Luggage Room)

@Kelly: I was going to ask you how much you really liked it. Looks like it's enough for me to make the drive.

From Slice

Daily Slice: Urbano Pizza Bar, Los Angeles

Hmm. I'm still gonna try it but I'm not excited.

Last time I got a burrata pizza from Mozza2Go, they just gave me a bag of cheese to top it myself when I got it home. I'll take the soggy pie, thanks.

From Slice

Daily Slice: Patsy's Pizza, East Harlem

I don't know how the hell I didn't know about this when I went to Patsy's before, but someone's gonna pay.

From Slice

Dear Slice: Arizona Pizza Pilgrimage

@dmcavanagh: Exactly.

@Garvey: I was there once before in the post-Chris era and though it was a different experience, the food itself was still top-notch. And the second day of pies this time around were the real deal.

You're not coming off as a hater at all. But you're also speaking with the pope of the church of Bianco so I'm biased. Time will tell. I know he's got his hands in a lot of different places now, but I believe it's a good thing to spread that kind of passion and commitment to other areas.

From Slice

Dear Slice: Arizona Pizza Pilgrimage

@Caleb: We're still talking about that Amore pie. It's burned into our brains. All the insane amount of work you put into Pizzicletta is worth it. It shines.

From Slice

Dear Slice: Arizona Pizza Pilgrimage

@Garvey: I've eaten there eight different times over 5 different visits. It's never been anything but my favorite. And when they're "bad" they're still better than most in the country. You're welcome to boycott though.

From Slice

Dear Slice: Arizona Pizza Pilgrimage

@Garvey: One bad day of crust when it's 109 degrees isn't the end of the world. And it's never happened before.

@TXCraig1: Magic of the toaster oven. Damaged and frayed but Bianco nonetheless.

From Slice

Pizza Obsessives: Lance Roberts

@Adam: The photo was my idea but my friend Abe Greenwald did the heavy lifting.

I know you still gots love for the Margherita, I was only kidding around. And I know that if I had eaten as many great Margs as you have I'd be bored by the average ones, too.

From Slice

Pizza Obsessives: Lance Roberts

Thanks guys.

@Kelly Bone: I disapprove of you even bringing it up. That's one of those things you just don't talk about.

From Slice

Ed's Cosmic Pizza Blab: Can Serious Pizza-Makers Have More than Two Great Pizzerias?

@John: I get you. All fair. And I agree.

And I'm done with best lists myself, I just have my personal favorites.

From Slice

Ed's Cosmic Pizza Blab: Can Serious Pizza-Makers Have More than Two Great Pizzerias?

@John: I don't disagree with you. That's actually what I was trying to say, that the "highest levels of pizza" for me are as much about experience as pizza. If I just want great pizza I'll walk to Mozza and be done with it.

Does the pizza that I watch Mangieri cook for me cook taste better than the same one that comes out of the back of some kitchen? Yes. I'm aware of how our brains work. But knowing the chemistry doesn't take away from the sensation I have when I'm eating at UPN. Or Di Fara. Or anyplace where there's more to the story than just the pizza on your plate. The taste that's synthesized in my my head is undenialbly subjective, and it's probably a "false high" in many situations…but that doesn't mean it doesn't feel real to me. And I don't think it's a coincidence that most of the big guns are singular experiences. I think most people are swayed by myth in that way. And I don't have any problem with that.

On a side note, I actually had Bianco twice last weekend, and night one was sub-par for Bianco standards and night two was back to the regular best pizza in the country. So I do think I have some objectivity left. And there's no need to toss "sweet" around.

From Slice

Ed's Cosmic Pizza Blab: Can Serious Pizza-Makers Have More than Two Great Pizzerias?

@Nicky: "One of my ideas was that if I ever became a true Pizza Entrepeneur; I would take my best Pizzaiolo's and create a menu and style based on their Pizza skills....basically they will just be "affiliated" with my network but have their own twist on Pizza making."

That's a pretty great idea. The best of both worlds. If you opened up 30 affiliates and they were all a little different and driven by the Pizzaiolos, I'd probably try them all.

@Caleb: Like I said, I really don't fault anyone for trying to expand. People have families, kids are expensive, etc. (Ed talked about Bianco being a single pizzeria but last week I went to his sandwich shop for lunch which is now serving dinner, too. Oh, and I picked up a can of his branded tomatoes so he's got his hands in a lot of different places).

With all that said, for me the highest level of pizza is about the experience as much as the food. Everything you said is right on. There's a reason I'll drive 6 hours for some places (8 for Pizzicletta). You can't put a price on the passion or commitment you and the other "solo artists" bring. I really love Motorino but I wouldn't plan a trip around it.

From Slice

Ed's Cosmic Pizza Blab: Can Serious Pizza-Makers Have More than Two Great Pizzerias?

Though I wouldn't fault anyone for trying to go 2 for 2 or even 3 for 3, I selfishly love the idea on one pizzeria. Especially if it's one of the "lone gunmen" behind the oven. You can obviously teach someone to make great pizza, but you can't transfer the experience of having a Chris Bianco or Anthony Mangieri cook your pie.

See more comments by Lance Roberts »

Recent Posts

From Slice

Los Angeles: Stella Rossa Pizza Bar

From Slice

Visiting New York City? 7 Must-Eat Pizzas You Should Try

From Slice

Pizzeria Bianco Mops the Floor with Mozza

See more posts by Lance Roberts »

Recent Favorites

From Slice

Los Angeles: Stella Rossa Pizza Bar

See more favorites by Lance Roberts »

Polls

From Serious Eats: New York

Lance Roberts answered "Keste" to What's Your Favorite New-School Pizza In New York?

From Slice

Lance Roberts answered "I have at one time" to Do you work — or have you ever worked — in a pizzeria or the pizza industry?

See more polls by Lance Roberts »

Quizzes

About Lance Roberts

Website:

Location: Los Angeles

About:

Favorite foods: Pizza, pizza, pizza. And a lot of Italian after that.

Last bite on earth: Pizzeria Bianco, Phoenix AZ