David Witzel
Google
Detroit-style pizza heaven on the Upper East Side. Just around the corner from the post office, so it's super convenient for lunch when I have a package to send.
The public-facing area consists of a tiny space in front of the counter, with a couple of stools for inside eating. The case there displays a slice of the various options of the day (which I hope get eaten by the staff each night). Each of my visits I was greeted by a different person who helped me figure out what to try on that trip.
Then it's waiting several minutes for your order to warm up in the oven, only to get elegantly finished by the pizza guy before it's ready to be served. The "Cup N Char" of the first visit has the thick pepperoni "cups" just absolutely covering the gigantic square of pizza, salty, delicious meat, topped with extra sauce , shredded cheese, and a little basil leaf. Of course the edge is a buttery, cheesy, salty mess, perfection in a slice.
Other slices vary widely. My last slice was the Bianco, no sauce, but loads of mozzarella, whole roasted garlic cloves dotting the surface, and four blobs of ricotta added after heating up. Of course it's covered in more shredded cheese, as well as the basil leaf. My other visit featured a bourbon honey drizzled over the red sauce slice with pepperonis, and again with the ricotta blobs and extra cheese and basil.
The outside seating has now taken shape as well, four tables with umbrellas on half the sidewalk. If you've chosen a red sauce slice, be aware that you really, really ought not try to walk and eat. It will be extremely messy. Best to have a seat and enjoy.
Yes, the slices are an uncomfortable $6.50 (plus tax, tip) and up. The whole pies are generally mid-$20s and up. Yes, this is expensive for pizza. No, this does not mean it is not worth visiting - I am comfortably well-fed on one slice, which surprised me, too. There are a LOT of calories going on, delicious, delicious calories.
Once the wife agrees with me that dieting is for suckers, it's going to be whole pies for delivery. I can't wait!