Fill Your Face at Pizza Face

Are you missing that old-style New York pizza that you found on every corner in Brooklyn?

Well, you can stop living on memories. Pizza Face is here to bring Brooklyn pizza pies to every home in Maplewood, South Orange, Irvington, Union and perhaps beyond.

Co-owners Vincent Farina and Gino Pollari both live in New York State but were drawn to Maplewood by a business partner. Pollari is in New Jersey several times a week anyway to run a deli he owns in Garfield. He and Farina felt that this area was desperately in need of a pizzeria that served basic pies and Italian foods — and delivered.

"We noticed no other pizza place like us nearby," said Pollari, who says his "authentic New York-style pizza" is "all about our dough and our sauce." Pollari explained that the dough has a special crispiness and that the sauce is homemade in New York. Regarding that dough, Pollari and Farina are actually bringing in water from New York to ensure that it is exactly the same as in Brooklyn."We're keeping it true," said Pollari.

The prices are affordable too. A large cheese pizza will set you back only $13. A plain slice will cost you $2.25.

"Specialty pies" are also on the menu with toppings ranging from four cheese white to barbecue chicken to "The Works" and "Veggie Lover."

There are also hot heroes on the menu, like Philly Cheesesteaks and Chicken Parm — plus basic favorites like burgers, ribs and onion rings. There are entrees (including eggplant parm, riceball parmigiana and lasagna, among others), pastas, rolls and calzones.

The restaurant is opened 7 days a week (they had a soft opening 2-1/2 weeks ago), with generous hours — 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and noon to 8 p.m. on Sundays. Pizza Face is also available for catering.

For those who want to dine in, there are three tables in the tiny restaurant and parking in the rear.

And, yes, hungry students on a budget, they will deliver to Seton Hall University.

But what about the name — Pizza Face?

"When I think of pizza, it puts a smile on my face," said Pollari. It put a smile on this reporter's 6-year-old daughter's face for sure. She gulped up a couple a slices faster than you can say "pepperoni."

Pollari also brought out some melt-in-your-mouth garlic knots and some fresh-out-of-the-fryer zeppoles that will satisfy all those who are lamenting the lack of a funnel cake store in town.

Call for delivery now, or enjoy Pizza Face at on May 15.

Pizza Face is located at 1553 Springfield Avenue. 973-761-0927. All major credit cards accepted.