Ten Second Review: Russo's New York Coal-Fired Pizzeria
Last week, we took a break from the healthy grilling to trip up to Russo's New York Coal-Fired Pizzeria in northwest Houston.
We were quickly seated by a pleasant hostess, who walked us by the impressive coal-fired oven.
A super-nice waitress took our drink order -- and had to get Callie to order a different beer, as they were out of Corona light. No biggie. I had a house Merlot, and it was fine (a very generous pour, I should note). The waitress checked on us frequently.
We ordered a Mulberry Special, with the bottom charred, New York style.
In a matter of minutes, the pizza arrived. PERFECTION! The slightly charred crust was the best I've had in Houston, to be sure, and one of the best I've had period. The toppings were fresh and yummy.
In fact, the diet suffered badly, because even though we were stuffed, we found it hard to stop until the whole damn thing was gone. This is not a pizza you want to box up and take anywhere, even leftovers. Better just to be a pig!
Adrian Hembree, the franchise owner, wandered by and visited with us for a while about the oven, and the slight char, and other things. We asked him about a dish another table was having (some sort of pizza crust with artichoke dip... thing... hard to describe), and he told us that was just something he threw together for those guys (off menu), and that if we asked for him next time we're in, he'd be happy to make one for us.
The food and service at Russo's were outstanding. Even though it's a decent trip, we'll definitely be hitting this place again.
UPDATE (11/28/08): We got in from a flight and decided to trek over for some grub tonight. The pizza was a damn soppy wet mess in the middle despite our ordering a charred crust. Waitstaff was crappy and indifferent to our complaints. Maybe this was just an off night, but it was a sh!t experience and we won't be making that long trek again. Seriously, all the waiter can say in response to our complaints about the pizza is, "I'm sorry about that, would you like it in a box?" No thanks. I'm not sure why I actually tipped the idiot, but oh well. Never again.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 06/22/08 19:11 | Houston | Technorati
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Comments
Had takeout Saturday night as a cheat meal.
Great pizza.
Driving home with one in your car is BRUTAL because of the wonderful smell.
Posted by Cory @ 11:12 on 06/23/08
That artichoke thing sounds like the appetizer I like at Sam 'n Ella's.
P.S. Hi Cory!
Posted by Cathy @ 13:32 on 06/23/08
I wonder how hard it would be to mimic such a pizza at home...
Posted by The R Man @ 15:32 on 06/23/08
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