Scarsdale Pizza Tour - Volume 1

As a Brooklyn native with some Italian blood, I've eaten a lot of pizza in my lifetime. I've had the best-of-the-best in Brooklyn institutions like Di Fara's and  L&B Spumoni Gardens, and the worst-of-the-worst in midtown Manhattan delis.

So when I got the chance to review pizza places for Scarsdale Patch, I jumped at the chance. I usually don't need a good reason to eat pizza, but I'll certainly take one if it comes along. And needless to say, it didn't take me long to enlist an accomplice!

Dining companion in hand, I sampled three of Scarsdale's most popular pizzerias over the course of two days.

At the recommendation of two Scarsdale natives, we started off at S&J Pizza on Garth Road.

S&J looks like an average pizza joint with a counter, a few tables, a gumball machine, and a large photographic print of the Brooklyn Bridge. It's the perfect place for a quick lunch or dinner, but not large enough to guarantee a seat on busy days.

The pizza, on the other hand, was anything but average.

I started out with my usual, a Sicilian slice. S&J does crust right - crispy on the bottom with a perfectly light and airy layer of dough above. It's nothing the typical thick mush found in lesser pizzerias. Topped off with creamy mozzarella and just-sweet-enough sauce, it's one of the best "squares" I've had in some time.

Not content to stop at just one S&J sampling, I ordered up a chicken parmigiana slice. Heavy toppings like chicken cutlet often result in an overly filling slice but S&J's thin and crispy crust struck just the right balance. As it shouldn't, the slice didn't feel like a large meal in itself.

My dining companion enjoyed a lasagna slice topped with mozzarella, ricotta, and meat sauce. While the meat sauce could have been decidedly meatier, the dollops of fluffy ricotta more than made up for it.

In addition to its wide pizza selection, S&J carries a full gamut of Italian delicacies, and a surprisingly large salad selection.

The next stop on our pizza tour was Amore Pizza at 1479 Weaver Street.

Quickly whisked to a cushy booth by a friendly waitress, we were very impressed by Amore's large menu, which featured a wide selection of award-winning specialty pies. Unfortunately, none of those pies were available by the slice at the time, leaving us with the standard fare.

Amore didn't disappoint, with my starter meatball slice hitting all the right notes. The meatballs, thinly sliced and lightly seasoned, topped off a tasty standard slice. Like S&J's chicken parmigiana pizza, Amore's meatball slice wasn't overly filling.

A marinara slice, although a bit too doughy, also impressed us with its sweet flavor. Amore's Sicilian slice didn't quite hit the same high mark as S&J's, but was excellent nonetheless.

Head to Amore with enough friends and family to devour one (or two!) of their specialty pies, like the Parma Salad pizza, which is topped by arugula and proscuitto. The service is fast and friendly, and the large menu ensures that there's something for everyone to enjoy.

Filling out our trio of visits to Scarsdale's pizza places was Pizza & Brew, a classic family-style restaurant on Central Park Avenue. Pizza and Brew is full of old-school touches like Tiffany-style lamps and a classic counter/spinning stool setup, lending a cozy atmosphere that would make anyone feel welcome.

Of the three restaurants we visited, Pizza & Brew has by far the most expansive menu with a selection of 17 specialty pies, all the Italian dishes you can think of, and an endless parade of desserts. Frankly, it was a bit overwhelming and even sparked concerns on my part that Pizza & Brew would be a jack-of-all-trades, master of none.

Strictly as a matter of taste, Pizza & Brew's Sicilian slices were not my cup of tea. The crust was excellent, being crunchy and well-seasoned. However, it was covered by entirely too much cheese. Pizza & Brew's slices were also a bit too large for my liking, though for some pizza lovers, that could be considered a good thing.

A salad slice we ordered was literally that - a salad piled on top of a slice of pizza. While a bit awkward to eat, the slice's salad component was fresh and tasty.

We plan on heading back out to Pizza & Brew for a second visit, likely ordering some lighter fare. The service is impeccable and the atmosphere is perfectly homey. Besides, with a line out the door, they're certainly doing something right.

I'll admit to being something of a pizza snob, favoring the fare of major metros like Brooklyn and Chicago. But there's no denying that Scarsdale's pizzerias are doing something very right. Everywhere we went, we found great menus, fresh ingredients, and friendly service.

My recommendations are simple: If you're looking for a quick bite to eat, you just can't beat S&J Pizza. And if you want to sit down to a nice, relaxing meal with family and friends, check out Amore or Pizza & Brew. All three deliver, so for a night at home, just pick whichever one's closest to you!

We'll be reviewing more of Scarsdale's pizzerias in the months ahead. After this first round, we doubt we'll be disappointed.