Left at the Fork

the road | the food | a new direction

Category: New Haven

Gary Bimonte showing off the jersey presented to him by visiting members of the Boston Red Sox

Gary Bimonte of Pepe’s Pizza in The VIP Lounge

June 17, 2016 / / 0 Comments

The VIP Lounge is a weekly Boston Globe interview of a usually D-list celebrity with some passing connection to Boston. The same eight travel-themed questions are asked of each interviewee — Aisle or window? Guilty pleasure when traveling? This week the VIP is Gary Bimonte, one of seven grandchildren of Frank Pepe, founder of the greatest pizzeria in the country, Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana in New Haven, CT. There are now eight Pepe’s pizzeria’s in the northeast, the most recent of which opened, very successfully, in Chestnut Hill mall in Boston. Mr. Bimonte is manager of quality control, popping around to the eight restaurants to ensure the pies are up to New Haven standards. Check out his VIP Lounge interview here.

A pepperoni pie feeling the heat of Camille's Wood Fired oven, in Tolland CT

America’s 32 or 33 Best Pizzerias

June 7, 2016 / / 0 Comments

Thrillist does this once a year — compiles their rundown of America’s top pizzerias — and they’ve just released their fourth edition. The biggest news has to the absence of Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana of New Haven, CT. They did include Sally’s Apizza, Pepe’s down-the-block and up-for-sale rival, on their list, where they note that Pepe’s was dropped because of their continued expansion and resulting inconsistency. Sally’s the only pizzeria in New Haven to make the cut? And only two from the entire state of Connecticut (the best pizza state in the U.S.)? Continue reading

First Gentleman Candidate Pops into Pepe’s of New Haven

April 22, 2016 / / 0 Comments

The Clintons are pushing hard for the food savvy vote. Earlier this week, presidential candidate Hillary Clinton joined Stephen Colbert for a meal at New York’s famed Carnegie Deli. Yesterday, her husband and possible future First Gentleman, Bill, showed up at the home of the best pizza on earth, Pepe’s Pizzeria Napoletana, in New Haven, CT, the city where he and Hillary first met. He shook hands and gabbed, and even got close enough to some Pepe’s pies to appreciate their alluring scent. His current ascetic eating plan, however, apparently wouldn’t allow him to dine, as he departed without a bite. While we admire the former president’s willpower, surely a slice of founder Frank Pepe’s favorite pie, topped with tomatoes but no cheese, would have fit into his vegan diet!

“Pizza, A Love Story” – Movie About New Haven Pizza Due Out in 2016

January 17, 2016 / / 0 Comments

Last year we had Deli Man, a movie about Jewish delis, and Famous Nathan, a film about the founding of Nathan’s in Coney Island, NY. In production for release this year is Pizza, A Love Story, which will tell the story of pizza in New Haven, CT, focusing on the big three: Pepe’s, Sally’s, and Modern. We’re excited! Have a look at the first trailer (is that actual footage of Frank Pepe kneading the dough??? Sure looks like him!): Continue reading

A half-sausage pie at Sally's. Perfectly round pies in New Haven? Not likely.

More on the Potential Sale of Sally’s Apizza in New Haven CT

January 16, 2016 / / 0 Comments

Sally’s Apizza of New Haven is for sale, sort of. We wrote a bit about the subject last month because New Haven pizza fascinates us and, although we’ve never dined at Sally’s (we’re Pepe’s white clam fanatics), we recognize that it holds a significance in the story of American pizza almost equal to that of Pepe’s. Well, the Sally’s drama has made it to the pages of The New York Times and, while there’s very little substantive information in the story that we did not already know (save for the fact that a judge has freed Sally’s owners to find a new buyer if they choose), Sally’s current state of affairs is summed up nicely. Continue reading

A fresh tomato pie at Sally's - Wooster Street pizzas rarely emerge from the oven in any shape resembling a circle.

Sally’s Apizza of New Haven CT Being Sold

December 6, 2015 / / 2 Comments

When discussion turns to the greatest American pizzerias, New Haven, Connecticut, without fail, is part of the mix. In particular, Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana is often cited (including by us) as the source for the country’s finest pizza. Frank Pepe founded the pizzeria in 1925. In 1938, with Frank’s blessing, his nephew Salvatore Consiglio opened Sally’s Apizza a few doors down Wooster Street. There are many folks who, today, claim that Sally’s pies are superior to Pepe’s. We can’t say as we’ve never been to Sally’s, not out of some wacky sense of loyalty to Pepe’s but because we love Pepe’s so much that we could never bring ourselves to miss a rare opportunity to enjoy a Pepe’s white clam pie while passing through New Haven. Continue reading

Briny, salty, garlicky, juicy, oily, toasty, chewy... Pepe's New Haven, CT white clam pizza is the perfect food!

Pepe’s Pizza Makes Boston Debut 12/16

December 2, 2015 / / 0 Comments

It sometimes seemed like it would never really happen, but all doubts have been erased: Pepe’s will be bringing their incomparable New Haven pizza to Boston in two weeks. The Mall at Chestnut Hill opening is scheduled for December 16th. The oven will be identical to the New Haven original but word is there will be new toppings and salads. The char will remain. If it’s a success, there could be further Pepe’s openings in the Boston area. For you first-time Boston visitors, here’s some advice: no matter what else you get, order a white clam pie!

A glorious white clam pie as served at Pepe's Fairfield, CT location

Pepe’s Pizza Expansion News

June 11, 2015 / / 0 Comments

Eater spoke with Gary Bimonte of Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana (originally of New Haven, CT). If you are a pizza fanatic who swears by Pepe’s pies (we are and we do!), it’s required reading. Some key points: the current expansion to eight restaurants was spurred on by the fact that Frank Pepe has seven grandchildren, and one store won’t support seven families. They hope to open a new store every 18 months, reaching a total of 20-30 restaurants in the northeast (not, in our view, the “massive expansion” of the Eater headline, but significant). They’ll focus on college towns, with three to five total in the Boston region.

Local favorite petrale sole, charcoal-broiled at Sam's Grill of San Francisco

LAF in the A.M. March 9th, 2015

March 9, 2015 / / 1 Comment

A Morning Menu of LAF-Style Food News and Stories to Begin Your Day

HAPPY NATIONAL CRABMEAT DAY!

Sam’s Grill: A San Francisco Classic

Evanston Giordano’s Has Closed

Taste of Coastal Carolina

“Amazing Pizza,” Says Dave Barry

Continue reading

Do do that Voodoo that you do so well, in Portland, Oregon

LAF in the A.M. February 24th, 2015

February 24, 2015 / / 0 Comments

A Morning Menu of LAF-Style Food News and Stories to Begin Your Day

 HAPPY NATIONAL TORTILLA CHIP DAY!

A Comparative View, Through Donut Holes, of Seattle and Portland

Best Pizza in CT (and, Therefore, the U.S.)

Fried Chicken: America’s Top 21

Third Saint Cupcake Opening in Portland OR

Continue reading

Briny, salty, garlicky, juicy, oily, toasty, chewy... Pepe's New Haven, CT white clam pizza is the perfect food!

LAF in the A.M. October 24th, 2014

October 24, 2014 / / 0 Comments

A Morning Menu of Stories We Think You’ll Find Interesting

101 Pizzas

This time it’s The Daily Meal, and their twist on the “greatest pizza” list is to choose specific pies from the chosen pizzerias, ranked 101 to 1. Who did the choosing? 78 “experts.” Which pizza came in first place? This is one time we agree with the “experts” because Frank Pepe‘s white clam pizza, from New Haven, CT, is our #1 choice, too. No, not our #1 pizza, our #1 food, period! Continue reading

Grilled Pizza Margarita as served at Al Forno of Providence, RI - named by Food & Wine magazine as one of the best pizza places in the U.S. (although Al Forno is much more than a pizza place).

LAF in the A.M. October 22nd, 2014

October 22, 2014 / / 1 Comment

A Morning Menu of Stories We Think You’ll Find Interesting

America’s Best Pizza, Chosen by Food & Wine

Top Pot Watch

Ina Pinkney Comes Home

Attack of the Killer Pumpkins!

Sad News from Memphis

Wait Wait … Don’t Tell Me! Tries the Pitts-burger

Continue reading

A white pie with broccoli from Grimaldi's in Woodbridge, CT

Just What New Haven Needed: A New Grimaldi’s

October 12, 2014 / / 0 Comments

Finally! Grimaldi’s has brought their NYC-inspired pies to the pizza-starved New Haven, CT region. The new pizzeria is located in the suburb of Woodbridge. This is the first of a planned six to ten Grimaldi’s planned for Connecticut over the next two years. A check of their online menu does not reveal a clam pie. Will one be forthcoming?

They are already open but they’re holding their grand opening this Tuesday. Is this venture hubris or ignorance? Only time will tell. Continue reading

Pepe's Boston arrival will be delayed, at best.

Pepe’s Interruptus

September 23, 2014 / / 1 Comment

Pepe’s Pizzeria Napoletana of New Haven, CT and the city of Boston have been conducting a courtship dance since March. It looked like a done deal. The Fireplace, of Brookline, was to close its doors in December, and Pepe’s was to move into that vacated spot. The people of Boston rejoiced! Alas, Pepe’s penetration into the Boston market was not to be, as the owner of The Fireplace, Jim Solomon, withdrew his offer to make way for the Connecticut pizzeria. Like a wallflower who is suddenly dazzled by the attention, Mr. Solomon decided to stay and enjoy the party. Not that we blame him. But the birth of a Boston Pepe’s will just have to wait.

© 2024 Left at the Fork

Theme by Anders Noren — Up ↑