Focaccino Delivery

Address: 1069 Bedford Avenue at Lexington, Bed-Stuy
Phone: (718) 622-2228
Purchase: $11.99 (18" cheese brick-oven pizza)
Payment: Cash
Pizza Rating:


Nearby Focaccino opened in the fall, but they just left a delivery menu on our doorstep this week, so tonight was the first time we tried it. Despite some relatively poor reviews on other local blogs (see eating for brooklyn and the Clinton Hill Blog*), we were excited to order in, especially because of their almost exclusively vegetarian menu (they seem to have a thing for eggplant). To be brief, we were disappointed. The delivery was pretty quick, but when we got the pizza it was completely cold (granted, it is 24° outside and it came by bicycle). The crust was way too thin (and I like thin!) and had flecks of rosemary in it, which I didn't like. The sauce was a little sweet and a little spicy, in a kind of Prego-brand, mass-produced way. We're holding out for a in-house visit though, because from the street the place itself has some cool decor, and espresso too. Maybe a fresh, hot slice would improve Focaccino's Slices of the City rating?


Bruno smells something tasty!




AJ was disappointed before his first bite as the pizza flopped and dripped when he tried to fold it. Plates necessary.

* The pizza in her pictures seems to have a much thicker crust. Maybe she got the 10" pie?

Famous Ben's Pizza of Soho

Address: 177 Spring Street at Thompson
Purchase: Two Plain Slices
Cost: $4.50
Pizza Rating:


For the life of me I cannot figure out what Ben's could possibly be famous for. The slices that we got were nearly as orange as a pumpkin and had a thick sheen of grease. The sauce was mediocre and the crust was forgettable. I know we were in Soho but when I pay $2.25 for a slice, I expect more.


Thumbs up? I don't think so.

Arturo's Pizza (UES)

Address: York Avenue at E 85th Street
Purchase: One Plain Slice, One Peppers and Olive Slice, Ice Tea and a Water
Cost: $6.75
Pizza Rating:


Tonight Michelle treated me to pizza and ice cream after a tough afternoon of IKEA assembling. Arturo's was a nearby and well-reviewed place on menupages.com, so we decided to check it out. (I was of course attracted to it for its namesake.) The pizza wasn't too fresh, but then again it was a little late for pizza by the slice. The sauce had a nice flavor and I was pretty happy with the overall taste. Crust was a little flimsy though. I wouldn't mind trying Arturo's again in the future, but on the walk to Baskin Robins I noticed lots of competition.

Ben's Pizzeria

Address: 123 West 3rd Street
Purchase: Two Plain
Cost: $4
Pizza Rating:


Ben's is probably the closest pizzeria to Washington Square Park. This is the only reason that I would go back. Convenience, not quality, is Ben's only selling point. The slices are super greasy, chewy, and irregularly sized. The worst part is that half the times I've been there they either don't heat up the slices or only put them in the oven for about 30 seconds. Maybe the slices would be decent if they heated them up all the way, but I don't think that I'll be back to find out.