Jan 13 2009
Portofino Dreaming
If you spend enough time away from NY you might become disillusioned and believe that pizza isn’t that bad in California (or whatever part of the country you’re in that is not NY.) You might even start to believe that you can get the same great pizza at your favorite local joint. You might hear yourself saying:
Ah, it’s close enough. Very good. Etcetera.
After all you can get very decent pizza everywhere… You’ll be wrong.
Amici’s based in California, calls itself East Coast Pizzeria, and is what I have (convinced myself) settled for being the best where I live.
Even Amici’s which is maybe the best of the best in Northern California, is just good in comparison to the real deal in NY.
On the last day of my NY Christmas visit we finally made it out to Portofino, which is in Golden’s Bridge, in Westchester NY, where their pizza is heaven and everything else is hell! There was a plan to go to Portofino even before I left California, but time was running out.
My father usually makes pizza from scratch at least once when I’m back home, but he didn’t do so this year. Maybe it’s because we were there for a shortened visit, maybe it’s because we just “did” so much, and when I say did I mean we ate so much great food at so many great places including home, restaurants, and at families, that we just ran out of time. By the way father makes excellent homemade pizza!
Prior to coming back to NY I asked my young nephew over the phone what we would be doing while I was visiting and he said, “well, I know that we will be eating a lot of pizza, because you love the pizza from this country.” Now, this is funny because he’s only 8 and even if it was a mix up of words, he’s right—eating pizza in NY is like eating something from a different country or planet for that matter. I’ve eaten pizza from all over the place, even in Italy, and I think American Pizza, NY pizza, kicks more ass than there is ass. NY pizza is the best, I don’t care what anyone says on this subject—not the deep dish of Chicago, which is really good, but it’s still not NY pizza… it’s like it should be called something else because it is great in its own right—people from Chi-town would not disagree except to say that theirs is the best and NY should call their pizza something else…
So, as luck would happen, my brother lives close to possibly the best pizzeria in NY. (Which begs the question why only one visit…) Portofino’s happens to be close to the Blazer! (see my Blazer review post Hole in the Wall Alert! ) Unfortunately, we didn’t visit while I was back 
First, they make a slice that’s as big a small child and when in a whole pie it measures at least a yard from end to end. (probably an exaggeration, but close!)
Second, the sauce is perfectly seasoned with the right amount of cheese per any size bite.
Thirdly, we can talk about toppings, but I’m going to talk about one topping—broccoli rabe sauteed in garlic and olive oil. I’m still not ready to talk about how unbelievable this combination is—O M G! No, I’m just not ready yet…
Lastly, and I saved it for last because it is in fact the foundation—literally. The crust is thin, not paper, not notebook, but I’m going to call it the Goldilocks Crust—just right! But it’s not just right it’s just perfect!
Obviously size does matter and their perfect pizza crust is thin yet supportive, 1/8 inch of crispy, crunchy, able-to-support-the-sauce-and-cheese (and broccoli rabe in my case) perfect!
These pizzamakers are the real deal from the old country ginzos and I mean that with total respect and admiration. This is also a full blown restaurant with unbelievably delicious entrees. Little expensive if you think in terms of a pizza joint, but it’s not and it’s worth every penny!
*clicking my heels together* There’s no place like home. There’s no place like home…
See, you must come home MORE often, if just for pizza!!
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You should have posted the picture of the little girl they have in the window who is practically wearing a slice as a dress. Best pizza in Westchester County, no doubt about it. Try the meatball!
Now, that’s what, I’m, talken bout! Nice picture HM!
Picture of a slice with measuring tape from HM: