Get to Know a Serious Eater.

Ralphyacovelli's Profile

Website:

Location:

About:

Favorite foods:

Last bite on earth:

The Ten Most Recent Comments By Ralphyacovelli

From Slice

Openings and First Reports: Artichoke

We went to Artichoke this past Wednesday and I have to say it was GREAT!!! The spinach artichoke pizza was unbelievable as well as the other pizza (sicilian & regular). The two cousins that own it are really cool. They told us that Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones was there the other night. They had all these italian specialty items like cauliflower fritters and stuffed artichokes and every day they make something different. The place is decorated so authentic italian. Can't wait to go back. Good Luck Guys!!!!

Ralphyacovelli at 8:58AM on 03/29/08

Responses to Comments by Ralphyacovelli

From Slice

Openings and First Reports: Artichoke

I didn't like Artichoke and am very disappointed in all who wait on line for access to so inelegant a slice of pizza. The artichoke slice is not pizza; it is a gratin. And though the toppings on the regular slice are good and the color of the crust is nicely blackened, the texture of the crust is awful: thick, heavy, charred plaster board.

To be brief, this pizza lacks both the elegance of a New York masterpizza and the thrill of a oozy, on-the-brink of a great NYC slice.

danyoung at 8:52AM on 06/24/08

From Slice

Openings and First Reports: Artichoke

We were truly disappointed by the regular slice and the spinach/artichoke, both bad for different reasons though the crust is a universal negative - dry, thick, tasteless and cardboardy. The toppings are equally bad. Slices are huge. No place to sit. Not sure how anyone raved about this place.

tsiblis at 4:43PM on 04/03/08

From Slice

Openings and First Reports: Artichoke

When I stopped in yesterday afternoon, the fellow ahead of me was telling the pizza makers, "My sous chef says the cauliflower fritters are amazing." This fellow recently opened his third restaurant, and he wanted to extend good wishes to a new business in his neighborhood. The guys at Artichoke -- Francis, Sal, and Carl -- hadn't heard the name "Momofuku," but they were glad that this fellow, David, stopped in to introduce himself, and to pick up a few pies. No joke.

http://www.eatingintranslation.com/2008/04/artichoke.html

EatingInTranslation at 11:34AM on 04/01/08

From Slice

Openings and First Reports: Artichoke

NYCviaRachel - yes, I have been to DiFara, and yes, Dom uses way too much oil on his pies too. That's the one thing that prevents DiFara from being my favorite pizza in New York. It's a specialty pie, not an everyday eater. Yet, somehow the oil at DiFara *works*, but at Artichoke it fails, imho.

ACoby - I've worked in restaurants, and I know how hectic it can be, but a little bit of organization goes a long way. Not for nothing, but encouraging them to get organized is the point. "how do you know someone didn't call up and order the artichoke/spinach pies for pick up?" - it was pretty obvious, the pies were going directly onto the counter behind glass, while delivery pies/pickup pies were going into boxes.

calmdahn at 5:26PM on 03/31/08

From Slice

Openings and First Reports: Artichoke

I tried Artichoke this weekend, and really like the sicilian and the artichoke/spinach slices. Both are very good, but better than DiFara's - I wouldn't say that.

Skip the baked artichoke though, I found it to be lacking in taste and a waste of $8 or whatever it costs.

smokedgouda at 9:20AM on 03/31/08

From Slice

Openings and First Reports: Artichoke

Ok Ronman....keep hating on people. Meet you there anytime within 5 minutes Buddy. I got money on you owning a competitor restaurant. If you concentrated on your biz rather than hating on others you might be successful enough to not have so much time to blog on a friggin slice website!

Jack402 at 6:57PM on 03/30/08

From Slice

Openings and First Reports: Artichoke

Stopped in for a creamy, delicious spinach and artichoke slice this afternoon. Really good. The sauce is so thick -- could almost be used to dress pasta! I loved my artichoke slice and will definitely be back. I didn't try any of the other pizzas since my favorite Sicilian in the neighborhood is already Vinny Vincenz.

The place is kind of messy, random wooden boards, with big hunks of cheese and rolls of bread sitting out, basil peeking out of a wooden crate, a tomato can propping up a window. Definitely gives it a Di Fara feel. They apologized for not having any cold soda when we asked for a Coke. The two guys there were very nice and seem to have picked up fans in the neighborhood already. Good luck to them!

It's like Di Fara in that their specialty is unique from other pizzas in Manhattan, and the owners obviously put a lot of care into their product, at least the signature artichoke and spinach pie. But I think I like Dom's stuff better, although it is comparing two very different styles.

kathryn at 6:33PM on 03/30/08

From Slice

Openings and First Reports: Artichoke

So what's the story? Do we love this slice or no? Where's Bubbles when you need him? I can't believe I just asked for the DJ. NYC Food Guy is going to have to hit this place himself and lend the definitive word. Stay tuned pizza lovers.

NYC Food Guy at 12:24PM on 03/30/08

From Slice

Openings and First Reports: Artichoke

You don't even live in manhattan who are you kidding you live in Staten island

ronman at 11:15AM on 03/30/08

From Slice

Openings and First Reports: Artichoke

I've never been to Di Fara's so I don't know what you all are talking about, but this pizza was excellent. Even the blogs on here slamming the place are writing that it is good. Please what's the problem (uneven crust, disorganization, burnt this or that OH BUT it's still good). Shut up and enjoy your slice! Isn't that what this website is about? I'm just delighted a great slice place opened up the street from my house.

Jack402 at 9:13AM on 03/30/08