Pizza Profile: Bella Napoli

by Emmett Otter

When getting the mail on Thursday, I noticed a menu for Bella Napoli, 1065 Township Line Road (484-924-9501).  Since I didn’t feel like cooking and had never heard of the place before, I figured it would be a perfect opportunity to give it a try.  I decided on the Bella Napoli special, a large plain pie, 8 wings and a 2-liter for $13.

When placing my order, the person who answered the phone was very friendly and informed me that the place was relatively new.  She also told me that wings were sent with sauce on the side.  Although not an unheard-of method, I was taken aback.  Delivery was prompt and the young man told me that the Bella Napoli has been open for about four weeks.

Upon opening the box, I was happy with what I saw: good amount of cheese, not overly doughy, and not swimming in sauce.  Strangely, the pizza itself and the wings seemed small. Also, the wings were breaded, not my favorite method of preparation, but my wife likes them that way.

The first bite of the pie was remarkable.  The sauce was slightly sweet, but with a noticeable taste of oregano.  The crust was thin, crisp on the bottom and chewy in the center. The ratio of cheese to sauce was spot on.

The hot sauce for the wings had a good zing to it, comparable to a Frank’s Red Hot, and would have been better on the wings themselves.

Overall, my first impression of Bella Napoli was VERY good.  They make a solid pie; comparable to a Mimmo’s or Sal’s and the service was top notch.  The wings, on the other hand, need some improvement IMHO.  I’ve heard that a few similar joints have not fared well in Bella Napoli’s location (right next to the Wendy’s and Lukoil), but let’s hope for the best because these guys and gals deserve it.

6 out of 8 slices…

1 Comment

admin, May 4th 2010 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Pizza Profile, Reviews

Pizza Profile: Palermo’s Whole Wheat Pizza

by Third Ave Hooligan

I’m not one who believes pizza could be (or really should be) a healthy meal.  Then again, I am also a firm believer in the ideology that pizza should only be made by Italians (see our Liberty Square’s Mediterranean pie review).  I’ve heard some great reviews by others about a whole wheat pie made by Palermo’s, so the missus and I decided to be adventurous and give it a whirl.

Just upon calling for a pick-up order, the voice on the other line was friendly and inviting.  I could sense a smile on the other end of the phone.  When I picked up the pie, it was piping hot and the gentleman on the other side of the counter was kind enough to double-check that my pizza was properly topped with peppers and onions.

Upon initial inspection, you can’t even tell that the super-thin crust is made of healthy whole wheat.  The gang at Palermo’s also does a great job at piling on the toppings, but not adding too many that they’re falling off your slice when you liberate it from the rest of its compadres.

The sauce is slightly sweet, but in no way overpowering, and the cheese is plentiful.  The wheat-yness of the crust is unnoticeable until you get to the very end of the slice.  Sadly, that’s where the pie lost me.  One of my favorite parts of pizza is getting to crust and the dryness of the wheat flour did not make me want to eat the whole slice.  So, dare I say, I didn’t eat the whole slice of pie.  My wife, on the other hand, ate my crust AND ate the man-imum (3 slices for those of you who don’t know).

Another drawback is the price, the whole wheat is not cheap ($16 with 2 toppings) and only available as a large.

IMHO, there’s nothing better in life than a slightly greasy slice of ‘za and a cold beer, but I have to say that Palermo’s whole wheat pizza made me a believer that a restaurant specializing in Isreali and Mediterranean cuisine can make a fine pizza that has some healthy qualities.  I’d suggest that rather than having a beer with this pizza, you have a glass of red wine.

Six out of eight slices, because it’s heart-healthy.

4 Comments

admin, February 28th 2010 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Pizza Profile

Pizza Profile: Sal’s Pizza Box

by Third Ave Hooligan

Robert, a commentor one our article about Wasko’s, smartly described the strip of Route 23 known as Nutt Road as “Hoagie & Pizza Pike.”  True there are a handful of pizza and sandwich joints on that stretch of road, but when it come to pizza it’s home to some of the best pies in town.  You’ve all read (and some have disagreed) about my views on Mimmo’s and I’ve admitted that probably one of those slices (most likely the eighth), was due to my recollection of growing up eating pie’s just like Mimmo’s.  Well, also on Nutt Road is another of Phoenixville’s finest pizzas, and its made at Sal’s Pizza Box (95 Nutt Road), whose slogan is “Pizza is for lovers.”

Since Sal’s doesn’t deliver (a definite down side considering it’s small parking lot and location at a five-point intersection), I decided to order a large pie to watch while hoping the Fightins would force a Game 7 in the World Series.  Even though the Phils lost, I’m sure glad that I had such a quality pie to help drown my sorrows.  Before gettin into specifics about the pie, it should first be noted that Sal’s has a sweet selection of take-out sixers to enjoy with your ‘za.

salsAlright, now down to the nitty gritty… Sal’s crust is very similar to Mimmo’s, it’s a thin crust, slightly crispy and very light.  The sauce is sweet with hints of parsley and basil and balances nicely with the saltiness of the cheese.  Overall, everything works together deliciously.  Maybe it was me, but the large pie didn’t seem so large and I easily housed the three-slice MAN-imum.  Sal’s pie is a little bit pricier than most, but it’s TOTALLY worth it.  Hands down one of the best pies in town and worth the drive for pick up (remember, beer selection.)

In sum, pizza from Sal’s Pizza Box is true to its slogan.  It’s a pizza lover’s pizza.

Seven out of eight slices.

Pizza_Meter_7

2 Comments

admin, November 7th 2009 | Tags: , , ,
Posted in Pizza Profile, Reviews
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