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Pizza

Tuesday, February 19, 2013

See Menu: Could Dough Bring Something Different to Caldwell Pizza Scene?

Dinner starts Tuesday, first lunch served Wednesday.

Dough Artisan Pizzeria will open for dinner Tuesday, lunch Wednesday in Caldwell. But before snickering about "oh another pizza place in Caldwell" note the dark wood table, wine decanter and elegant vibe of the photo above posted recently on the Dough Facebook page.  Other Facebook posts to artisan cheese and bread makers and Garden State farms indicate that something different is baking in the ovens at 437 Bloomfield Ave. Proprietor Ed Simmons is a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America and has worked for top restaurants in Manhattan.  Here's a link to the menu. Related Stories:

In this Article:

Citrus Brings Indian, Thai Cuisine to West Caldwell and Red's Introduces Chicago Classic to the Caldwells

Friday, January 18, 2013

Dough to Open in Caldwell in February

Artisan pizza restaurant to take over Rose Mediterranean kitchen.

An artisan pizza restaurant named Dough will be opening in Caldwell this February, according to www.doughnj.com.  Dough takes over the space at 437 Bloomfield Ave., formally occupied by Rose Mediterranean Restaurant, which closed its doors in September. A black awning has been hung on the facade and the windows are papered while the eatery prepares to open. Although there is no shortage of pizzerias in the West Essex area, Dough's pies will be somewhat unique in that they will be brick-oven baked. Be the first to know when Dough opens by liking the Facebook page, which already has more than 200 followers.  Other Recent Business News

In this Article:

Rose Mediterranean Restaurant Closes, Pep Boys Opening in Caldwell, and Bakery and Boutique Bow Out of Caldwell

Josh

4:33 pm on Sunday, March 10, 2013

The article was spot on...there are plenty of "pizzerias" in the area, but Dough is in an entirely different category. The pizza is outstanding (pancetta and egg was ridiculously good), but we had other dishes that were equally tasty (strongly recommend the meatballs). It's so much more than a pizzeria. Needless to say, we'll be back at Dough very soon. In fact, writing this is making me hungry…   more ›

Sunday, September 19, 2010

The New Pizza Kid on the Block Is From Newark

Genc's Pizza opens; $5 pie leads menu with value, taste.

"What would you like to eat for dinner tonight?" "Let's try one of those $5 pizzas." "Did Genc's open up? Let's try it!" Up until now, folks in the Caldwells couldn't have had the above exchange without the use of a time machine. The just-opened Genc's Pizza (408 Bloomfield Ave., Caldwell) is offering their large plain pizza for just that, dialing back the average current local price for such an item by almost two-thirds, to an amount not seen in these parts since the early years of the Reagan administration. It's certainly gotten the fledgling operation some attention, especially in light of the current economic climate: A whole pizza for $5? That's less than a fast-food value meal that serves one, let alone two or three people. For Genc'…

In this Article:

Snapshot: Genc's Pizza Grand Opening

Friday, May 21, 2010

Best Pizza of The Caldwells Contest: An Overview

With 13 pizzerias, there's plenty to choose from and a pie for everyone's taste buds.

While we get ready to announce a winner next week (the plaque engraver is at work right now), we thought it would be a good time to summarize and share some of our personal experiences. This taste journey started way back in February, and from there to here it's been a cheesy, saucy trip. We have officially sampled the plain pizza offerings of each of the 13 pizzerias in The Caldwells and emerged wiser ... and perhaps, fatter. General Pizza Taste Chart In The Caldwells, who has more of a cheesy, saucy and somewhere in between pizza? Based on our tests, and in no particular order: More of a "Cheesy" Pie: Pizza and Sandwich Barn, Frank's Trattoria and Domino's More of a Sauce Pie: Nicco's and Calandra's Somewhere In Between: Forte, Russillo…

In this Article:

Best Pizza of The Caldwells Contest: Forte Pizzeria, Best Pizza of The Caldwells Contest: Calandra's, Best Pizza of The Caldwells Contest: Nicco's, and 9 more ›

Friday, May 14, 2010

Best Pizza of The Caldwells Contest: Franco's

West Caldwell mainstay offers classic pie, leaves lasting impression on final stop.

Franco's Ristorante & Pizzeria is a pure classic in The Caldwells. Just say the name to local folks and chances are they'll smile and say, "ah, Franco's!" The restaurant has earned its reputation with its longevity—first opening its doors in its current and only spot in 1977, not long after the whole Essex Plaza opened for business. Aside from a detour a few years ago, it's also been under the same ownership the whole time. Caldwell resident Salvatore Lo Brutto is "Franco," and to this very day, he works almost every day, while he says that his wife sometimes helps out on Fridays. In those earlier days, there weren't as many pizza places around, and Franco's opened its spacious dining room—hands down, it has the largest of any pizzeria in …

In this Article:

Best Pizza of The Caldwells Contest: Forte Pizzeria, Best Pizza of The Caldwells Contest: Calandra's, Best Pizza of The Caldwells Contest: Nicco's, and 8 more ›

Friday, May 7, 2010

Best Pizza of The Caldwells Contest: Frank's Trattoria

Family-style restaurant attracts patrons of all ages, offers giant-sized pies.

Frank's Trattoria has been a popular eatery in West Caldwell since the early 1990s. It's not uncommon on a weekend night to see every table filled and customers lined up out the door. The crowds always consist of a solid cross section of the residents of our area, from young families to senior citizens. A part take-out and dine-in mecca (delivery is offered only on large catering orders), Frank's success seems to come from focusing on being a value-based, true family restaurant. That means being plugged into the community—the menu even includes coupons for local businesses like Century 21 and Play 'N' Trade. Frank's "family values" are also evident in the specials that are on prominent display in the storefront's window. For example, …

In this Article:

Best Pizza of The Caldwells Contest: Forte Pizzeria, Best Pizza of The Caldwells Contest: Calandra's, Best Pizza of The Caldwells Contest: Nicco's, and 7 more ›

Friday, April 30, 2010

Best Pizza of The Caldwells Contest: Vitella's

Sweet sauce and tasty cheese above thin crust—brick oven or conventional style.

Not long after Vitella's Cucina opened in West Caldwell, we visited the restaurant on Clinton Road so this time we're going to cut right to the cheese. There's a one-of-a-kind choice offered to all prospective pizza eaters: Pies can be baked in either a conventional (Bari-type) oven or Vitella's custom brick oven. That "natural wood burning fire brick" oven is at the entrance to the main dining and deli area, and you can't miss it. Large and grand, it's where special selections are made, such as the "Green Pizza" (seasonal veggies), "Pizza Rosa" (prepared with Nonna's vodka sauce and grilled chicken—Vitella's has joined the "Grandma" craze, albeit in a slightly altered fashion) and the "Girasole" (roughly translated to "turning sun")—a  …

In this Article:

Vitella's Brings Fine Cuisine, Charm to W. Caldwell, Best Pizza of The Caldwells Contest: Forte Pizzeria, Best Pizza of The Caldwells Contest: Calandra's, and 7 more ›

Ron Albanese

8:33 am on Monday, May 3, 2010

Ha ha ... thanks for reading. Yes, I unabashedly like sauce - it's the link between the crust and cheese. Regarding the "sweet" thing, let's not forget the tomato is actually a fruit: http://www.askoxford.com/asktheexperts/faq/aboutother/tomato It's in the interplay of the naturally salty cheese and to a lesser extent, crust, that makes a pizza "happen" for me.   more ›

Friday, April 16, 2010

Best Pizza of The Caldwells Contest: Michael's

First stop in W. Caldwell offers plenty of variety, a unique way of baking.

The physical location of Michael's Pizzeria & Restaurant is of special note for a few unique reasons. First, in an area with an exceptionally high number of pizzerias, its three doors away from another. Second, it's on a hallowed ground of sorts. It's exact physical West Caldwell location, at 669 Bloomfield Ave., is that of the famous Sonny's Pizza, which was in business for most of the 1970s and half of the 1980s, before closing under controversial circumstances. Third, it's the same location as Aponte's Pizzeria, which fired up it's ovens in the late '80s and was successful during the evolution of the business expanding their scope menu wise. With it's name intact, Aponte's continued with a second owner right through the 1990s. During …

In this Article:

Best Pizza of The Caldwells Contest: Forte Pizzeria, Best Pizza of The Caldwells Contest: Calandra's, Best Pizza of The Caldwells Contest: Nicco's, and 4 more ›

Friday, April 9, 2010

Best Pizza Contest: Domino's or Papa John's?

National franchises draw split decision on night of Papa John's grand opening.

This week, we're presenting a contest within a contest. Instead of stopping in at just one pizzeria, we checked out both Domino's (399 Bloomfield Ave., Caldwell) and Papa John's, which held its grand opening Thursday night at 455 Bloomfield Ave., in Caldwell on the corner of Central Avenue. How will the local branches of these national franchises fare against each other, and the local businesses of The Caldwells overall? We can't wait to tell you, but let's take a look at the world of pizza franchising first. Background In case you haven't been paying attention, the "chain" pizza wars have been heating up as of late. There was a time when Domino's ruled the Northeast in fast-food pizza takeout. The local spot on Bloomfield Avenue in …

In this Article:

Best Pizza of The Caldwells Contest: Forte Pizzeria, Best Pizza of The Caldwells Contest: Calandra's, Best Pizza of The Caldwells Contest: Nicco's, and 3 more ›

Chris Ringgold

6:36 am on Tuesday, January 25, 2011

We prefer to give our biz to the local restaurants. We order with Eat24hours and we get cash back. One of the best, two thumbs up!   more ›

Friday, March 26, 2010

Best Pizza of The Caldwells Contest: 'The Barn'

Longstanding Caldwell establishment offers plenty of pizza and sub options.

The Pizza and Sandwich Barn (affectionately called "The Barn" by it's fans) has always been favorite of folks in The Caldwells and is arguably one of the current longest-standing businesses in the area. It's roots go back to the late '60s, when it was just a "sandwich barn." Pizza was added in 1978, when current owner Jerry Di Taranto took over. Back to The Barnyard The indoor decor plays up the establishment's name; Hung on the wooden-slatted walls are various objects de farming: boots, baskets, saddles, cowboy hats and a wagon wheel with even more stuff that creates a very "yee haw!" atmosphere. It recalls sub shops of yesteryear, before customers had to stand on assembly lines. It even looks cooler than it sounds, and in spite of its …

In this Article:

Best Pizza of The Caldwells Contest: Forte Pizzeria, Best Pizza of The Caldwells Contest: Calandra's, Best Pizza of The Caldwells Contest: Nicco's, and 1 more ›

Dan S.

10:06 am on Wednesday, July 14, 2010

The review is right: pedestrian and decent pizza. Nothing more. Their subs are excellent though.   more ›

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