Here is a photo journey through some of the food gazing and grazing we did on our last trip to Italy. The sad part is that this is such a small microcosm of everything that Italy has to offer! Roman Cacio e Pepe, Ligurian Pesto and Focaccia, Prosecco, Lambrusco, Fresh Mozzarella di Bufala, the list of things we love go on and on….what are your favorites from your travels to Italy?
Joey Tomatoes Pizza in Pt. Pleasant
(farm9.staticflickr.com)
By Rohan:
There are countless aspects of Point Pleasant, New Jersey that make us to want to come back every year. Maybe it’s the thrilling boardwalk rides or the fun but fierce games of mini golf. Wait, scratch that–it’s enjoying time with family and friends on the Jersey shore, while chomping on delicious thin crust pizza at Joey Tomatoes.
Joey Tomatoes is located in a charming yellow building and is the mix between a sports bar and your neighborhood pizzeria. With pies made to order or slices ready to hit the beach, Joey’s gives you plenty of ways to enjoy their always fresh pies. One of the main reasons why we return to Joey’s every time we’re at the shore is simply their exceptional service. You are welcomed with a smile and served by some of the nicest people on the boardwalk. The passion the cooks have for their pizza is endearing and it shows in how delicious each pie tastes when it comes out of the oven straight to your table. Whether you enjoy tons of toppings or prefer just cheese and basil, Joey Tomatoes knows how to bring New York-style pizza to one of New Jersey’s favorite beaches.
In the real estate world, location is everything, and Joey Tomatoes is perfectly situated on the Boardwalk adjacent to video arcades and fun houses. If you want to work up an appetite, challenge your family and friends to a pirate-themed mini golf course located ON TOP of the restaurant. This little perk makes Joey’s even more charming and keeps the kids entertained while you wait for your pizza to arrive.
The only real downside we see in Joey Tomatoes is that it is expensive. A pie will cost you 21 dollars, assuming you want plain cheese. However, we manage to work our way around it because when it comes to authentic New York pizza with a view of the Atlantic Ocean, Joey’s really can’t be beat.
Make sure to check out Joey Tomatoes at 300 Ocean Avenue in Point Pleasant, NJ.
Naked Pizza Crust Menu
(http://nakedpizza.biz/)
By Siddhi:
Since I was diagnosed with Celiac Disease in the beginning of the year, the search for gluten-free pizza that tastes and feels like the real deal as opposed to just a bland attempt at reproducing its wheat based counterparts has been a tough quest. Throughout spring semester of college in New York, I searched for a pizza experience that would make me forget that I had a gluten allergy because the food so authentic. I ended up eating at a handful of Italian restaurants that had a Celiac-friendly menu. But it was only when I got back home to Princeton to that I discovered that a franchise that had recently exploded on the health food scene made my gluten-free pizza experience worth every penny.
Founded in New Orleans, Naked Pizza now has 450 locations and markets itself on four key health benefits: digestive health, bone health, weight management, and glycemic response. There are no preservatives or additives in any of the food and the doughs made of over ten different grains capitalize on the nutrient value of the multigrain approach. Every pizza has prebiotics and heat-immune probiotics and promise a high-protein and low-fat alternative to the other pizzas on the commercial food market. Basically, all the scientific terminology aside, it’s the healthiest your pizza can get when you’re not making it at home.
You can choose your pie in one of three sizes (10 inch, 12 inch, or 14 inch) and one of three crust types (the original Ancestral blend made of ten grains with tomato and mozzarella, the skinny version of the Ancestral blend, and the gluten-free crust). Once you’ve chosen your base, you can choose your toppings, including a delicious set of farmers market fresh tasting vegetables. There are also several menu choices pre-customized with toppings that you can decide from. The “cheesy breadsixx” side isn’t gluten-free, but the spinach salad is of course a safe option and rings with the flavor of blush wine vinaigrette and incredible bell peppers.
I am fairly health conscious, and Naked has been one of the only pizza manufacturers to date that doesn’t give me the post-meal feeling of carrying a ton of lead around in my stomach. In fact, even after scarfing down half a pie of Naked, I feel totally refreshed and can go for a long bike ride without feeling any the unpleasant after effects of oil or cheese weighing me down.
Eating pizza tends to be a universally glorious experience when you’re really, really craving it. In a society with an ever-escalating emphasis on eating right, it’s truly a gift to be able to take the guilt out of eating pizza and enjoy it as a healthy meal rather than an indulgence.
To learn more about Naked Pizza and find a franchise near you, visit their site here:
