Saturday, August 26th, 2006, 8:45 PM Joe's Pizza, 7 Carmine St, New York, NY (Greenwich Village), 1 slice for $2.25 While waiting (forever) for a dinner spot at Mary's Fish Camp, we sat on a bench outside the Village Beard Papa, enjoying the summer night breeze. But this was no ordinary bench. This bench resided next to Joe's Pizza. So it was impossible to resist the frenetic activity and sweet aromas that invaded my senses and pressured me mercilessly to accept imminent pizza inevitability, dinner be damned! I lasted about 10 minutes before finally caving in and buying a slice. Thankfully, it didn't disrupt dinner. It just made the wait nicer. Pizza is good that way.

Thursday, August 24th, 2006, 6:30 PM Pizza Box, 176 Bleecker St, New York, NY (Greenwich Village), 2 slices at $2.25 each I came here to meet a friend, not to eat. I actually wasn't in a pizza mood at the time (images of Kati rolls were taking over my mind). But I cannot resist the allure of Pizza Box, especially when a freshly baked pie sits on the counter, bubbling and beckoning like a cheese-covered Siren. So I caved in, ordered my obligatory two slices, and had a great meal while the streetlife of Bleecker St. unfolded in front of me.

Thursday, August 24th, 2006, 12:30 PM Giuseppe's, 341 Lexington Ave, New York, NY (Murray Hill), 2 slices at $2.00 each Another visit to my regular lunchtime midtown haunt. Everything was pretty much as expected (which is good). They offer three or four varieties of Sicilian-style square slices that look really interesting. One day I may try one, if I can overcome my stubborn habit of instantly ordering two plain round slices without a moment's thought.

Tuesday, August 22nd, 2006, 7:00 PM T & R Pizza, 411 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY (Upper West Side), 2 slices at $2.00 each "The Best Pizza On The Upper Westside [sic]", so they claim. If true, this is a sad testament to the Upper West Side. I could tell from the moment I laid eyes on the drooping, discolored pies on display that this wasn't going to be a fine culinary experience. But my standards were low tonight. So despite the lack of air conditioning (on a hot summer day), nonexistant decour, and obviously inferior product, I ordered two slices, sat down, and ate my dinner. As expected, it was terrible. But in their defense, my food had probably been sitting around forever before they tossed it back in the oven. A fresh pie might be better.

Wednesday, August 16th, 2006, 8:00 PM George's Pizza, 726 W. 181st St, New York, NY (Washington Heights), 2 slices at $1.75 each Tonight was a George's night; there was no doubt about that. The pizza today was extra cheesy, which is good for the taste buds and bad for just about every other part of the body. But my taste buds wield a disproportionately large sway over my mind, so I was more than happy as I chowed down and web surfed the night away.

Tuesday, August 15th, 2006, 7:30 PM Ray Bari Pizza, 128 W. 72nd St, New York, NY (Upper West Side), 2 slices at $2.55 each Here's a quick rule of thumb for judging a pizza place: if it boasts about its fame or family tradition, it probably sucks. Case in point, Ray Bari: "The only pizza worthy of its family name". I should have known from the moment I walked in here that disappointment lurked. The atmosphere screamed insincere corporate banality and the pies looked one step better than airport food. But I gave it a chance, bought two slices, and... quickly regretted it. The sauce tasted like candy and the dough almost seemed deep fried. Even worse, I had to pay a premiium ($2.55!) for the experience. These guys can keep their family name; it carries no weight in this town.

Saturday, August 12th, 2006, 7:00 PM Angelo's Pizza, 117 W. 57th St, New York, NY (Midtown), 1 pie (8 slices) for $16.00 Angelo's is my own version of comfort food. After a long day tromping all over the Upper West and East sides, nothing feels better than taking solace in a familiar, friendly sanctuary where superior pizza flows like tap water. That's Angelo's: comfortable, unpretentious, satisfying, filling. It's good to have a place that treats you right.

Friday, August 11th, 2006, 7:30 PM Una Pizza Napoletana, 349 E. 12th St, New York, NY (East Village), 1 personal pie for $18.95 Everyone who eats and appreciates pizza must visit here at least once. Yes, it's the most expensive pizza you'll ever eat. No, toppings, appetizers, and desserts are not available. Yes, the space is tiny and crowded. But I guarantee you've never had anything like this. Anthony Mangieri, the proprietor, has dedicated his life to perfecting the art of premium, authentically Neapolitan pizza. The quality of the ingredients and the care of the baking process are absolutely top-notch. When your pie finally makes it to the table, it shines like a finely polished sculpture, carefully crafted just for you. Fine flavors mix in tantalizing ways. A faint wood-smoked aroma hovers over the artfully charred crust. You'll savor every bite and gain new appreciation for pizza's potential status in the world's fine cuisines.

Saturday, July 22nd, 2006, 5:30 PM Pizza Pete's, 528 Columbus Ave, New York, NY (Upper West Side), 2 slices at $2.00 each You don't come to the Upper West Side seeking great pizza. You come to the Upper West Side seeking passable pizza. So when I'm in the 80s or the 90s and Sal & Carmine's is just a bit too far away, this is my passable destination of choice. While it's no panacea, it blows away the terrible alternatives that lurk nearby (Celeste excepted, but that's a different breed). And for that, it merits a soft spot in my heart.

Monday, July 10th, 2006, 4:30 PM Naples 45, 200 Park Ave, New York, NY (Midtown), 1 slice for $2.71 I don't even know why I got this slice. I certainly wasn't hungry (I had already eaten lunch). But the allure of pizza does strange things to the mind, so somehow, hazily, I ended up in the takeout area staring at a gorgeous specimen of a margherita pie. My slice, as expected, was great. I've really got to come here more often. Naples 45 is too valuable of a resource to ignore.

Sunday, July 9th, 2006, 8:45 PM Joe's Pizza, 7 Carmine St, New York, NY (Greenwich Village), 1 slice for $2.25 Post-Pizza Box, we decided to down one more slice for the road before the long trek home. And there's no better place to do this than Joe's: the slices are some of Manhattan's best, rapid turnover guarantees fresh servings, it's easy to move in and out quickly, and the walk from Pizza Box is just two blocks. The logic is so compelling that you need a good reason NOT to visit Joe's. Today I found none, so I did what I had to do and never looked back.

Sunday, July 9th, 2006, 6:45 PM Pizza Box, 176 Bleecker St, New York, NY (Greenwich Village), 2 slices at $2.25 each Why do I always end up at Pizza Box? Three answers: 1) great pizza, 2) great location, 3) outdoor garden. If I were to design a pizza paradise, it would look a lot like this (although I'd opt for better bathrooms). Seriously, nothing beats relaxing out in the garden with good friends, good conversation, and good slices on a perfect summer day. And at $5-$7 per meal, this is one of the best deals in town.