As the Pizza Tour draws to a close, we find ourselves with few "original" restaurants (that is, restaurants that have been in the pool of Pizzas to be Toured from the very beginning) to choose from. Aside from special requests, bars, bagelries, and the like, Amore is the very last true pizzeria on the Stamford Pizza Tour. Located in Springdale, the family-owned Amore Restaurant has been a quiet staple of classic Italian cuisine in Stamford for over 30 years.

Establishment. Amore is a tastefully decorated Italian eatery complete with dark hardwood furniture, a black marble bar top, ceramic tiled floors, fancy arched doorways, and unmistakably classy low, ambient lighting. Amore's seating is comfortable and spacious, spread out across two large dining rooms and a fully stocked bar. The service was highly attentive and courteous, checking on us multiple times during our visit to deliver copious amounts of phenomenally tasty spicy garlic bread baskets and to assure us confidently that we were going to like their pizza (and possibly to snoop out their scores as well). Their menu consists exclusively of authentic Italian fare, including classic antipastos, soups, salads, and house made pastas, as well as both traditional (meat, seafood) and exotic (boar, ostrich, venison) entree offerings in addition to gourmet pizza.

Pizza. In a word, this pizza is extraordinary. In many words, the crust was thin, chewy, and yeasty with a crisp, crunchy bite and the perfect amount of char. The cheese was also far above average with a moist, stringy texture and moderately salty taste, cooked to golden brown perfection. The sauce was an absolute highlight, as it had the unmistakable taste of fresh, crushed tomatoes, was perfectly seasoned, and was overwhelmingly flavorful. This pie came to the table hot and likely would have stayed hot for many days had we not housed the entire thing in a matter of minutes. Each slice held together very nicely both mechanically and otherwise, presenting extremely well balanced proportions and flavors and that played well off of each other and caused little to no ingredient slip. The sausage, our topping of choice, wasn't nearly as stellar as the rest of the pie, but it was still very, very good despite being the "weak" link of this pizza. We were very surprised at the relative emptiness of this restaurant when we Toured on a Saturday night, because Amore could very well be serving the best pizza in Stamford and should be packed to the rafters.

The bottom line. Amore is a traditional, authentic Italian restaurant with all that it entails, from a warm, inviting atmosphere to an absolutely phenomenal "big pizza pie." That's Amore.

Establishment: 23/30
Pizza: 25/30
Hits the Spot: 9.0/10
Large Cheese: $13.50

AWARDS WON:

2009 – Best Pizza

2009 – Tournament Champion

2009 – Best of Springdale/Glenbrook/Belltown

Located on West Main, Garibaldi Mexican Grill (and Pizza) didn't strike us as a pizza restaurant in the beginning. Originally, we were hesitant to add Garibaldi to our exhaustive list of restaurants, especially considering their pizza is quite obviously an afterthought to a far more developed selection of Mexican cuisine. However, in the name of completeness (we did go to Liz Sue Bagels, after all), Garibaldi finds its way onto the Pizza Tour in hopes of surprising us all.

Establishment. Unsurprisingly, Garibaldi seems like a better fit for the Burrito Tour than for the Pizza Tour. With bright, vibrant colors, Aztec (Mayan?) tapestries, ornate sombreros hanging from the ceiling, and a large wall-mounted flat screen seemingly dedicated to Cablevision's iO en español package, the last thing you'd think to order here is pizza. Regardless, the restaurant was spacious and clean with comfortable seating and service that was slower than death, but reasonably personable given a generally shaky grasp on the English language. Garibaldi's menu consists of traditional Mexican specialties including but not limited to tacos, fajitas, burritos, enchiladas, tostadas, nachos, flautas, and tortas, as well as specialty combos, pizza y mucho mas.

Pizza. Garibaldi's pizza is exactly what one would expect from a Mexican restaurant, that is: horrible. Absolutely horrible. Founded on a thick, spongy, breadlike crust, completely devoid of crispness and flavor, this pizza is nothing to brag about. The sauce was mediocre and thick, tasting overly bland and cooked down, not unlike any canned pasta sauce one might find at the grocery store. The "highlight" of this pie for us was the laughably massive slab of (comparatively tasty) cheese that gingerly rested on this horribly bland sauce. The cheese was in such excess that when most of it predictably came sliding off the pizza and collected into a tennis ball sized mound resembling Pizza the Hut, there was still more than enough cheese left on each slice.
This mass of cheese coupled with the shear thickness of this pie's crust made eating a single slice extremely laborious, making polishing this pizza off seem futile after only two or three bites. Our topping of choice, chorizo sausage, was not chorizo at all, but rather a dull, tasteless sausage masquerading around as the spicy pork delicacy that we were hoping for, capping off a disappointing but mostly predictable leg of the Pizza Tour.

The bottom line. Mexican restaurants and pizza don't usually go hand in hand and Garibaldi's awful cheesy mess is a perfect example as to why that's the case.

Establishment: 19/30
Pizza: 13/30
Hits the Spot: 3.3/10
Large Cheese: $10.95

AWARDS WON:

2009 – Most Cheese

A Stamford fixture for almost 30 years (over 20 in its current location on Cove Road), Emilia's Italian Deli & Pizza is a family run deli and pizzeria. Open until 7ish (some days until 8, some until 6...call ahead), Emilia's touts "the BEST Italian food in town," and while we can't speak for their pasta dishes and catering, we're certainly in the position to judge their pizza.

Establishment. Emilia's is, in essence, a deli with a pizza oven. We walked into a moderately sized, bright room with various coolers (of both the drink and ice cream persuasions), a deli counter and little else. Expect no more and no less from this establishment, it is what it is. That said, we were rather impressed with their abundant seating (especially compared to most delis), cleanliness, and fine selection of motorcycle magazines to peruse as we were waiting for our food. Emilia's service (Emilia and company) was extraordinarily attentive and personable, possibly because we were the only ones there at the time but more likely because that's how good family restaurants are run. Additionally, their menu is very enticing, but limited to deli specialties such as sandwiches, hot wedges, pasta dishes, salads, and antipastos, as well as both traditional and specialty versions of "Emilia's Famous Pizza."

Pizza. We really liked this pizza. Aside from being one of the better deals in town ($9 for a whopping 18" monstrosity), Emilia's pizza delivers a very original, homegrown taste that smacks of traditional Italian flavors. Their crust was incredibly unique with a crisp base, a crunchy but chewy and airy consistency, and light sourdough notes. Complementing this flavor very well was an abundance of tasty, stringy cheese that wasn't at all greasy but did unfortunately congeal into a thick slab a bit faster than we would have preferred. Another knock against this pie was the utter lack of sauce; what we could taste of it didn't disappoint as it was fresh and simple, but there just wasn't enough on the pizza to carry any substance or play a larger a role than separating the cheese from the crust. However, our topping of choice, sliced meatballs, was extraordinarily substantial, finding its origins as an actual whole meatball (rather than a sprinkling of ground beef masquerading as one) and seasoned to perfection. All in all, this was a very good pizza marred only by the lack of sauce (or excess of cheese?) with a flavor and texture that more than made up for it.

The bottom line. Emilia's is a deli, dressed up with just enough accommodations to pass as a restaurant, but their pizza is excellent and definitely worth trying for lunch or an early dinner, especially given their extremely reasonable prices.

Establishment: 15/30
Pizza: 20/30
Hits the Spot: 7.3/10
Large Cheese: $9.00 (18")

AWARDS WON:

2009 – Best Bang for Your Buck

The bottom line: It doesn't look like Sammy G's is going to be serving pizza anytime soon.

Establishment: DQ/30
Pizza: DQ/30
Hits the Spot: DQ/10

AWARDS WON:

2009 - Closed

A relative newcomer to the Stamford bar scene, Tracks is located on Hope Street, filling some of the void that the defunct Fireside Restaurant left behind as both a bar and restaurant.

Establishment. Tracks Bar & Restaurant is, by and large, the friendliest bar we've been to on the Tour. We were welcomed, as if to a home, by everyone working there at some point throughout the evening, including a playful, profanity-laced conversation with Tracks' Irish-brogued owner, Jimmy. The establishment is clearly split into bar and restaurant sections, with a fully stocked bar and well-dressed dining area signifying each, respectively, all appearing relatively clean (especially considering the number that the Stamford High softball team did on the dining room before we got there). As we've mentioned, the service was overwhelmingly personable and attentive, going so far as to adjust the air conditioner return that was blowing in our faces. Tracks' lunch/dinner menu consists of Italian-style appetizers and entrees, soups, salads, and of course, pizza with some select items available on a bar-style menu (including some Irish fare) at all times.

Pizza. Tracks' pizza is a step above the average bar pie, competing with traditional pizzerias in terms of both size and taste. The crust, made in house, is thin and crunchy with a slightly darker-than-golden "shell" (quite honestly bordering on overcooked) and delicious, chewy innards. The cheese was exceptional with a delightfully gooey texture, fresh tasting (albeit somewhat muted and bland) flavors, and the temperature retention of a cast iron skillet. However, Tracks' sauce is what really brought their pie together with an immense amount of flavor caked on rather thick. While borderline overpowering, this homemade sauce elevated a cookie-cutter bar pie through our often held glass ceiling of bar pies, shattering any preconceptions we may have had. The sausage, our topping of choice, was very light in color and carried a unique, much appreciated flavor while giving the pie further dimension despite its striking resemblance to deer turds. As we've mentioned, this bar pizza remained white hot throughout our meal, framing a surprisingly good pizza experience.

The bottom line. Tracks is a charming Irish pub worth visiting if only for its delightfully plucky and friendly staff; they also put together a solid, restaurant-style bar pie that isn't the best in town, but certainly won't disappoint.

Establishment: 23/30
Pizza: 21/30
Hits the Spot: 7.0/10
Large Cheese: $9.99 (14")

AWARDS WON:

2009 – Best Mother@#$%ing Waitstaff

Located on West Ave., Outpost Pizza is one of the lesser known pizzerias in town. Touting a "father and son place, putting Stamford on the map for great tasting pizza," Outpost is admirably audacious with a menu full of claims that the Stamford Pizza Tour was made to test.

Establishment. There's not a whole lot to say about Outpost's establishment, as they're primarily takeout only with but one table and a few chairs in a relative hole in the wall next to a liquor store on the South End. That said, Outpost pizza was far more inviting than we expected considering its lackluster location and comparative obscurity around town with a bright, clean establishment, its walls blanketed with photos of loyal customers. The service was what one would expect from a takeout only, counter service operation: quick and marginally personable, keeping you there no longer than you want to be. Outpost's menu is surprisingly diverse, including appetizers, salads, pastas, traditional Italian and Greek favorites, hot and cold sandwiches, the creatively badged "Wrap Pack," and pizza, backed by a brazen guarantee.

Pizza. Outpost's pizza is rather unsurprisingly very, very good (or else they'd be bled dry from buying other pizzas from around town for their dissatisfied customers). The crust is very thin and airy with a very unique flavor, cooked to crispy perfection without being too crusty or brittle. Outpost advertises their exclusive use of Grande cheese (the Wisconsin-based purveyor of the finest Italian cheeses money can buy) and it's evident, as the cheese had a unique, fresh taste that wasn't greasy or salty, and an amazingly gooey texture. We can't say the same about the sauce, however, as it was in short supply and from what we could gather, was painfully mediocre despite its alleged Brooklyn origins. The pie's temperature was adversely affected by the 12 minute long journey from Outpost to Pizza Tour HQ, but it held up well considering the circumstances. Our usual topping of choice, sausage, was very good and complementary to a very good pizza overall.

The bottom line. Outpost is takeout only and off the beaten path for most, but their pizza is certainly worth the drive, as it definitely comes through on its guarantee of being one of the better pies in town despite not living up to its impossibly lofty claims.

Establishment: 14/30
Pizza: 23/30
Hits the Spot: 8.5/10
Large Cheese: $10.75

AWARDS WON:

2009 – Best of West Side/South End

Located just outside the heart of Stamford's downtown, 122 Pizza Bistro bills itself as a "hot spot" and pushes its "nuovo" martini bar and wine list a lot harder than it does its pizza. Regardless, 122 Pizza Bistro stands out with an alluring presence in an otherwise dead stretch of town.

Establishment. 122 Pizza Bistro has all the makings of a trendy contemporary pizzeria except for the requisite hipster/foodie following (or any real following, for that matter) and the lack of decimal places on the menu. We walked into a low lit dining room to find ample, comfortable, (and in places, velveteen) seating separated quite effectively from Bistro's full bar. Dotted with eclectic fixtures, decor, and unidentifiable breadlike appetizers, this incredibly glorified pizzeria feels very lively and modern, especially given its location on a rather dull stretch of Broad St. The service here was insanely quick, but rather brusque and businesslike as, evidently, a trade-off. 122 Pizza Bistro offers a relatively broad menu including dressed up iterations of traditional Italian appetizers, salads, pastas, and gourmet entrees as well as a unique selection of specialty pizzas including the likes of "California Club" and "Tri-Color Salad" variations in addition to traditional offerings.

Pizza. Despite Bistro's gussied-up-pizzeria-of-the-new-millennium facade, they too serve a bar pie (but it comes on a fancy wooden peel). The crust was moderately flavorful despite being very thin, but it was spongy and less crisp than we would have preferred. The sauce was extremely flavorful, so much that that it overwhelmed the rest of the pie with a veritable spice rack of bold spices and seasonings. However, the overall pie managed to break through this flavor avalanche with a delicious, equally bold medley of Italian cheeses complemented very well by our topping of choice, sweet Italian sausage. The wooden peel, while extremely gimmicky, insulated the super thin pizza very nicely, keeping it piping hot for as long as we needed to eat it. All in all, this pizza was extraordinarily flavorful, but its boldness was divisive amongst our judges, coming across too strong for some and just plain weird to others (not at all helped by its lackluster texture). It was a unique, moderately good bar pie with some strong flavors that not everyone will love.

The bottom line. 122 Pizza Bistro is a intimate, trendy restaurant on the cusp of downtown that serves an alright bar pie with a very unique taste.

Establishment: 23/30
Pizza: 19/30
Hits the Spot: 7.3/10
Large Cheese: $9.45 (12")

AWARDS WON:

2009 – Best Seat

Located in Shippan, Brennan's is nestled away in an otherwise quiet, residential neighborhood. With a block party mentality, Brennan's has become an iconic hangout after Fourth of July fireworks (save for 2007) and truly embraces a small town relationship with The City that Works year round.

Establishment. Brennan's has all the makings of a neighborhood bar, from its secluded location to its old-fashioned charm and welcoming atmosphere equipped with TVs, darts, and plenty of regulars. Brennan's normally offers both indoor and outdoor seating, however, the smallish dining room was far from sufficient for our large party of six and while the patio was very comfortable, it still felt like an afterthought, furnished with cheap nesting PVC tables and chairs. Nonetheless, the service was as personable as one would expect of such an intimate locale, albeit a bit on the inattentive side at times. Brennan's menu is severely limited to regular bar fare including wings, burgers, salads, sandwiches, personal pizzas and little else.

Pizza. Having sampled many bar pies by now, we found this pizza particularly refreshing as it actually tasted good and might be the first grilled pie we've tried. Brennan's crust was thin and chewy, with a uniquely strong flavor imparted by the grill. This paired very, very well with the cheese, which was phenomenally gooey and absolutely delicious. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for the sauce, which was proportioned so sparingly that we could barely taste it, let alone rate it. The grill also afforded this pizza a unique consistency: charred and cracker-like on the bottom with an otherwise light, airy consistency throughout. Unique wasn't necessarily better, as it seemed to detract from the overall quality of this pie. Our toppings of "choice," bacon and hamburger, weren't bad, but they certainly weren't anything special (Brennan's ran out of our actual choice toppings, sausage and pepperoni). Overall, we were impressed with this pizza despite its shortcomings and damning "bar pie" identity.

The bottom line. While not the easiest restaurant to find, Brennan's is a homey (albeit cramped) neighborhood pub with one of the best bar pies in town.

Establishment: 18/30
Pizza: 20/30
Hits the Spot: 7.8/10
Large Cheese: $6.00 (10")

AWARDS WON:

2009 – Surprisingly Good

Located closer to the New York state line than to the heart of Stamford and specializing in pub food and fancy entrees on menus without decimal places, you might wonder how Long Ridge Tavern ended up on the Stamford Pizza Tour. Here's why: they serve pizza and they're not Domino's (but they might as well be).

Establishment. Long Ridge Tavern is not a pizzeria by any stretch of the imagination, it's a pub and restaurant that happens to serve pizza. We entered Long Ridge Tavern's authentically old-timey, rustic establishment through a quaint garden walkway and into the intoxicating aroma of a wood burning stove. Dark and intimately lit, the Tavern is tastefully decorated with local antiques and tools that may or may not have been used to shoe horses in the 1700s. However, the service and management were hardly reflective of the restaurant's inherent charm, as our waiter was rather cold, inattentive, and borderline rude. The menu also leaves something to be desired, as it consists of no more than a page of overpriced entrees, pub fare, and an infuriating $2 tax on shared items that smacks of smug, North Stamford arrogance. Of course, this menu also includes a $12 dollar personal pizza.

Pizza. Long Ridge Tavern's pizza is just plain forgettable. The crust was bland and tasteless with the bready consistency of a Domino's pie and barely half the flavor. The cheese was of very high quality and nearly greaseless, but it was flavorless just the same. Long Ridge Tavern's sauce showed a glint of hope, as it was fresh, light, and sparingly seasoned, but there was hardly any of it on our pie so its quality was almost irrelevant. Both the lack of sauce and the aforementioned airy crust contributed negatively to the overall texture of the pie and made it feel pretty unsubstantial. However, this cheese bread hit the table smoking hot and stayed as such for the duration of our meal, so there's something. Our hoity-toity topping of choice, fried calamari, was also very good, but not so much a choice, as this particular pizza was more or less a special at the time and we had very few options otherwise. When we left the restaurant, we forgot the slices we had wrapped up to-go on the table. Enough said.

The bottom line. If you like the smell of burning wood, being treated like dirt, have money to burn, and don't necessarily want pizza, go here (or to Cracker Barrel).

Establishment: 24/30
Pizza: 19/30
Hits the Spot: 5.3/10
Large Cheese: $12.00 (12")

AWARDS WON:

2009 – Closest to Teitelbaum

When we first started the Pizza Tour, many of this restaurant's rabid, obnoxious fans assured us that Colony Grill was the uncrowned champion and that we were wasting our time searching for Stamford's second-best. We've been told for months that we were unfit to judge any places in Stamford without having been to this cathedral of hot oil and cold beer, for Colony is the measuring stick with which to judge not only pizza, but ethics, morals, and the sins of man. While that's all up for question, there's no denying that Colony Grill is a veritable icon of Stamford, CT, and we're here to find out why.

Establishment. Colony Grill is a glorified dive bar and anyone who tells you different is an outright liar. In its heyday, Colony forced its patrons to stakeout their would-be tables in a cutthroat war for the next available booth, refused to distribute restaurant necessities such as menus and plates, proudly let the phone ring when they were just too damn busy to bother answering it, and took no less than 45 minutes to complete an order, no matter how big or small it was. They did all of this with the warmth and friendliness of Timothy McVeigh. While Colony has evolved ever so slightly from its bizarre, unfriendly (and oddly charming) beginnings, they're more or less the same. Sure, the renovated bathroom/waiting room area no longer resembles something out of Saw IV, and sure, their new waiting list no longer perpetuates the free-for-all sprint for a table, and sure, menus (if you can call a list of toppings and a bunch of drinks a menu) are now generously located at all of the tables, but Colony still screams, "dive!" Now, this can all be either interpreted as fascinating local charm or as repulsive, off-putting, local dickery. We are inclined to think the latter of Colony Grill.

Pizza. Fortunately for Colony, this is where they get away with being as annoying and unbecoming a "restaurant" as they are. The pizza's good. Colony's crust is so thin that you'll be baffled as to why it takes so damn long to hit the table. Regardless, this crust is dense, chewy, crispy (try and explain those last two), and the main contributor to the unique Colony flavor that you have to taste to understand. However, Colony's sauce and cheese are nothing short of boring. While cooked to perfection and very well proportioned, the cheese is largely flavorless, as is the sauce. However, no self-respecting Stamforder (Stamfordian? Stamfordite?) will ever recommend a plain pizza from Colony, as their toppings truly stand out. Our toppings of choice were Colony's famed hot oil and sausage and while there were only but six hearty chunks of local Deyulio's sausage topping a pie pockmarked with hot oil bubbles boiling up through the cheese, they absolutely made this pie. This should be no surprise, but Colony's ultra thin pizza loses its magic when it cools down and being as thin as it is, it sure cools fast and really caters to voracious thin crust lovers that can house a pie in ten minutes or so. If you're one of those people, Colony won't disappoint.

The bottom line. For thin crust bar pies, Colony is the place to go despite having a less than welcoming environment and literally nothing else to offer. However, there are better pizzas in Stamford.

Establishment: 18/30
Pizza: 21/30
Hits the Spot: 8.3/10
Large Cheese: $8.00

AWARDS WON:

2009 – Tournament Finalist (6th place)

Located in Stamford's Bull's Head shopping center, Liz Sue Bagels is known primarily for its long line of loyal customers and delectable bagel selection. This unorthodox stop on the Pizza Tour was the result of many emails suggesting their inclusion and Liz Sue's window decal advertising "PIZZA" to the masses.

Establishment. This is a bagel shop. Plain and simple. We don't know that they're bending over backwards to conform to the pizzeria model that we use to judge these places, nor do we really expect them to. There are a few little tables inside and outside what can only be loosely described as a dining room, as it actually serves to house the part of Liz Sue's line that doesn't spill outside and wrap around the building. Being as screamingly popular as they are, the counter service is as personable and lightning quick as is fitting of a local bagelry. Their menu consists primarily of bagels (surprise!) and various flavored cream cheeses, breakfast sandwiches, and puzzlingly enough: pizza.

Pizza. Liz Sue's pizza is only sold by-the-slice and is cut from an unprecedentedly massive 24" pie. It's made in batches and kept in a pastry refrigerator until it's ordered, at which point its reheated in their massive bagel oven, wrapped in tin foil, and packed to go. While highly unconventional (and in blatant violation of our "once it goes cold, it stays cold" maxim), there's no denying that this pizza is downright filling if nothing else. The crust is the centerpiece of this entire pie; founded on Liz Sue's delicious bagel dough, it was chewy and uniquely dense, thus giving our jaws quite the workout and going together rather well with cream cheese. Their sauce tastes canned (and probably is, all things considered) and their cheese is nothing special. Being premade, Liz Sue's pizza is also devoid of toppings, so we were naturally unable to rate them. Overall, this pizza was unique, filling, and good for a quick lunch, but nothing spectacular in terms of flavor.

The bottom line. Liz Sue sells bagels, but if you're in the mood for a comically huge slice of a unique bagel pizza hybrid for $2.50, this is the only place to go.

Establishment: 14/30
Pizza: 17/30
Hits the Spot: 6.5/10
Large Cheese: $2.50 (slice)

AWARDS WON:

2009 – Bageliest Pizza

Located on East Main Street, Stamford Restaurant & Pizzeria is a little Italian restaurant hidden amongst a rug store, Just Cats, and Exit 9 Bagels. We were pleased to host two guest judges on this leg of the Tour, including our fellow local blogger JR of Streets of Stamford and Bryan, a Burrito Tour veteran.

Establishment. We were greeted at Stamford Pizzeria by a rather pungent aroma at the door of an otherwise presentable, intimately lit, and (mercifully) neutrally smelling dining area. Moderately sized, this restaurant was large enough for our party of five, as we were quite comfortably seated at a long table beneath a kitschy full relief map of Italy complete with little light-up landmarks. The service was excellent at first, but tailed off and became less attentive and much more frustrating over the course of our meal to the point where we were on the verge of begging for our bill. Cleanliness was also suspect, as the bathroom is located in the kitchen and kind of grossed us all out. Stamford Pizzeria's menu consists of the standard Italian favorites as well as both specialty and traditional pizzas.

Pizza. We've sounded off on the mediocre establishment, but despite all that, this pizza is very good. The crust was rather tasty and well proportioned with just the right amount of char. Accompanying it is an average sauce that was underseasoned and in short supply, but otherwise complementary to the overall pizza despite a lack of bold flavor. Stamford Pizzeria does not seem to skimp on good ingredients, as this pie was generously covered with high quality cheese for a fresh flavor and a stringy consistency that wasn't excessively greasy (but could, and did cause the cheese to slip off the pie with ease). Our topping of choice, Italian sausage, also came in the form of high quality, flavorful, meaty chunks. Stamford Pizzeria's thin crust pie cooled a bit too quickly for our liking, but was very good overall.

The bottom line. Stamford Pizzeria is a frustratingly average establishment with a decidedly above average pizza in spite of many gaudy shortcomings not at all related to the food.

Establishment: 18/30
Pizza: 23/30
Hits the Spot: 8/10
Large Cheese: $10.60

AWARDS WON:

2009 – Best of East Side

2009 – Tournament Finalist (7th place)

One of Stamford's better kept secrets, Villa Italia slipped under our radar the first time we tried to compile a list of the city's pizza purveyors. Specializing in traditional Italian food, Villa's owners describe their product as "Italian food the way our mom made it for us" and in light of Stamford's glut of restaurants staking this very same claim, Villa Italia is the real deal.

Establishment. Surrounded by the skeleton of a BevMax that has since left for greener pastures, a seedy Chinese restaurant, and an ice cream shop that never seems to be open, Villa Italia appears quite dubious from the outside. Upon further review, we found a rather charming Italian restaurant catering to the likes of pocket watch owners, $9/glass wine drinkers, and their ilk while remaining quite reasonably priced. The service here was very polite, accommodating, and personable while the bright colors of the dining room really made the establishment pop, especially relative to its undesirable surroundings. Villa Italia has a full menu of Italian fare including, but certainly not limited to salads, pastas, seafood dishes, and a laundry list of traditional and specialty pizzas.

Pizza. Villa Italia's pizza is very reflective of the restaurant itself. The crust is light and airy with a yeasty flavor and a chewy, breadlike consistency. The cheese is above average quality, obviously fresh, and completely devoid of excess grease. However, the gem of this pie was the sauce. Without many frills, Villa Italia's sauce tastes of fresh tomatoes and little else for a traditionally Italian taste. This Neapolitan thin crust stayed piping hot throughout our meal, which is no small feat considering the pie's density (or more appropriately, the lack thereof). That being said, we still weren't crazy about this pizza's texture as its inherent lightness made the pie a bit underwhelming. The meatball topping we ordered was mildly flavorful, but pivotal in giving the overall product more substance. Aside from these small shortcomings, Villa Italia's light, refreshing pie is very good and definitely worth trying.

The bottom line. Do not let Villa Italia's unfortunate location drive you away from such a quality establishment with an enticing Italian menu and downright respectable pizza.

Establishment: 24/30
Pizza: 21/30
Hits the Spot: 7/10
Large Cheese: $12.00

AWARDS WON:

2009 – Diamond in the Rough

Established in 2006, Remo's has quickly made a name for itself in a city where many pizzerias boast a 40+ year history. They offer a casual sit-down dining experience in the heart of downtown Stamford with the unique distinction of having been in a DeNiro film.

Establishment. Remo's boasts a beautiful interior with ample seating, tin ceilings, and an overall warm atmosphere approved by Robert DeNiro (eat your heart out, Joey Styles). Unfortunately, the restaurant can be a pain to get into sometimes, as free parking in the area is scarce and on busy nights, so is paid parking. Service was friendly, prompt, and came complete with crusty Italian bread and extra virgin olive oil. The lack of a pepper boy was rather conspicuous but otherwise, we were duly satisfied. Remo's menu is as comprehensive as they come, complete with traditional Italian appetizers, salads, sandwiches, and pastas as well as both New York and Neapolitan style pies. All else aside, Remo's is one pizza place you can confidently bring your date.

Pizza. Cooked in a wonderful brick oven, Remo's pizza is nothing short of excellent. Founded on a perfectly executed and delectible thin crust with just the right amount of char, Remo's pizza incorporates very fresh ingredients to achieve incredible flavors. Remo offers both traditional grated mozzarella (on their New York pie) and fresh sliced mozzarella (on their Neapolitan pie) of pretty high quality. Their sauce is just short of perfect, combining the slight sweetness of fresh crushed tomatoes and robust (but not overpowering) seasoning to make one of the best sauces we've had yet. Their topping selection is endless, including unique choices of artichokes and prosciutto di parma. We did however question, and get a good laugh out of, their rather arrogant classification of chicken as a "fancy topping." Our topping, roasted eggplant, was a relative weakness as was the temperature retention of such a thin crust pie. That said, Remo's has put together one of the tastiest pizzas we've come across so far on the Pizza Tour.

The bottom line. A relative newcomer to Stamford's pizza landscape, Remo's provides an inviting, comfortable atmosphere as well as one of the best, most flavorful pizzas in town.

Establishment: 25/30
Pizza: 24/30
Hits the Spot: 7.8/10
Large Cheese: $12.95

AWARDS WON:

2009 – Best of Downtown

2009 – Tournament Finalist (2nd place)

Across the street from Vinny's, Springdale Pizza offers a unique alternative to both their atmosphere and product. A family owned and operated restaurant, Springdale offers a simple menu featuring Italian dishes, salads, wedges, and both traditional and Sicilian pizza.

Establishment. Springdale Pizza offers the environment one would expect of a local pizzeria. Family owned, Springdale's father/son outfit makes for a charming and friendly experience. Obviously not too concerned with frills, Springdale is decorated mostly with vendor swag and a handsome rug picturing a plucky Italian chef (incidentally, the rug also tripped a kid and sent his pizza flying...). Their moderately sized dining room was very comfortable for our party of four, and our table was meticulously set with admittedly gaudy ceramic plates right before our pizza hit the table. We suspect they knew that they were being rated, as other patrons in the restaurant seemed to be eating off fine paper goods.

Pizza. Its a good thing that we were eating off of regular plates, because this pizza would have turned the paper ones translucent. Aside from the divisive greasiness factor however, Springdale makes an excellent pizza. What stood out most were the incredible flavors present in their sauce. Well seasoned, fresh, and tasting of fresh crushed tomatoes, Springdale's sauce is some of the best we've come across so far. Their thin crust was baked to a fluffy and breadlike consistency while the cheese remained warm and gooey throughout the meal. The sausage topping we ordered was very generous albeit a bit lacking in flavor and came in the form of large, meaty chunks. Texture did suffer a bit, as the airy crust began to soak up some of the aforementioned grease by the second slice, but overall, we were very happy with this pie.

The bottom line. Springdale offers a traditional father/son pizzeria experience, making up for minor gaudiness with an excellent pizza.

Establishment: 18/30
Pizza: 23/30
Hits the Spot: 8.5/10
Large Cheese: $11.50

AWARDS WON:

2009 – Tournament Finalist (8th place)

This restaurant can proudly call itself a dining staple of many households in the area with both its take-out and dine-in options. We remember John the Baker most fondly as the host of the pizza parties from our childhood and considering its longevity, much of Stamford can probably say the same. As a true family restaurant, John the Baker offers much more than just pizza on its lengthy menu and is very accommodating to many different tastes.

Establishment. To get this out of the way, John the Baker has one of the worst on-site parking situations we've seen with a couple cramped stalls in front that necessitate backing out onto one of Stamford's busier streets upon leaving (if you luck out and find a spot, that is). That said, there's not too many more bad things to say about this establishment. After trotting over from the bank parking lot across the street, we were welcomed by a friendly staff and a low-lit, inviting dining room. With plenty of seating options for large and small parties and a comprehensive menu of traditional Italian fare, John the Baker has all of its bases covered. We would have appreciated a more attentive waitstaff, as we waited a little too long for refills and our bill, but it was a great experience overall at a restaurant that we would happily revisit.

Pizza. John the Baker makes a very, very good pizza. While the relatively under-flavored crust leaves something to be desired, it was cooked with the perfect amount of char and crispness. The cheese was tasty and of very good quality while the sauce was phenomenally well seasoned. The flavors in this pizza were very robust and came together nicely, however, this pie hit the table hot out of the oven and was a bit too gooey so we had to give it a chance to really set up and cool slightly. The sausage topping we ordered was about average and lacked the flavor to supplement the rest of the pizza but overall, we were very impressed with John the Baker's product save for these few minor details.

The bottom line. John the Baker is a great place to go for an excellent pizza and has much to offer as a family restaurant as well.

Establishment: 22/30
Pizza: 23/30
Hits the Spot: 9/10
Large Cheese: $12.00

AWARDS WON:

2009 – Best of Bull’s Head

2009 – Tournament Finalist (3rd place)

The self-proclaimed "authority on fine dining," Spazzio Restaurant & Pizza is (quite unsurprisingly) a restaurant first and a pizzeria second. Offering an exquisite dine-in experience as well as fast, high quality dine-out options, Spazzio clearly specializes in the customer service and detail that one would expect of a fine Italian restaurant. They also make a pretty good pizza.

Establishment. Spazzio has a large, extravagant dining room (by Pizza Tour standards, at least) with friendly service, complementary dinner rolls, and cloth napkins; the three pillars of class. This restaurant really stands out as one of the nicest establishments we've been to yet, providing all sorts of unnecessary amenities that one could not possibly expect of a pizzeria including a pepper mill boy, a cheese grater guy, and a fully stocked bar. That said, Spazzio also offers traditional Italian fare on a menu that goes far beyond pizza.

Pizza. Spazzio's pizza was very good, but still left something to be desired. The crust was very flavorful and uniquely yeasty, the cheese was of very high quality, and the sauce was perfectly seasoned. In fact, the flavor of the pie was unbelievable, however the texture was like that of a basset hound's ear. This pizza crust was perfectly thin but so far from crisp that it almost felt undercooked, behaving more like dough than a true crust. Coupled with its extremely hot temperature, Spazzio's floppy pizza proved rather difficult to eat. Save for a single shortcoming however, this pie was excellent and flavorful with ingredients of the highest quality.

The bottom line. Spazzio is a fine Italian restaurant that serves a less-than-crisp but otherwise very good, extremely flavorful pizza.

Establishment: 27/30
Pizza: 22/30
Hits the Spot: 8/10
Large Cheese: $12.00

AWARDS WON:

2009 – Best Establishment

Located on Stillwater Ave., Lucy's Pizza Parlor's harsh exterior may cause you to rethink your dining choice for the evening. You might be right, as Lucy's is a pizza parlor in name only and you will surely be taking out and eating at home. Regardless, Lucy's offers a unique product and specialty pies you're unlikely to come across at many other pizzerias.

Establishment. Lucy's Pizza Parlor clearly does not cater to the eat-in customer. Equipped with a Plexiglas shield and locked door between the counter and the waiting area, this pizza parlor seems to be very well prepared for anything short of a Gestapo-style ransacking. Needless to say, Lucy's is anything but warm and welcoming. Nonetheless, what we could gather about the service as our pizza was being slipped through a conveniently sized slot in the shield was more than favorable. In fact, Lucy's also has a very diverse menu, complete with the first (and presumably, only) Indian Spicy pizza we've seen on The Tour and shouldn't be judged by its cover so quickly.

Pizza. Lucy's pizza was one of the best looking pies we've seen. It's golden crust, perfectly browned cheese, and artful distribution of hot peppers made for a masterpiece of a pizza. That said, it was a bizarre but delightfully unique one to say the least. The crust had an odd, airy consistency (not unlike that of a sponge) yet remained crispy while the rather tasty cheese was served very crisp, forming a strange cheese shell that tended to cling to adjacent slices and tear them asunder. The sauce was also moderately flavorful. However, the texture was widely derided as its breadlike consistency was nothing like that of any respectable pizza any of us have ever tasted and negatively affected the overall product. It was weird. Strangely, everything came together to make a halfway decent pie that defied our better judgment.

The bottom line. Lucy's Pizza Parlor will make you feel as if you've taken your life into your own hands, but Lucy's pizza is decent albeit highly unconventional.

Establishment: 9/30
Pizza: 17/30
Hits the Spot: 7/10
Large Cheese: $11.25

AWARDS WON:

2009 – Most Bulletproof

Hope Pizza is another of the go-to restaurants for at least one of our judges (see Ridgeway Pizza), and with good reason. Located on Hope Street, Hope Pizza Restaurant is a fantastic establishment with very good pizza that you'll definitely enjoy.

Establishment. Hope Pizza is a family staple in Stamford with a menu that goes beyond simply pizza with a very well-rounded offering. A Greek diner ambiance and ample seating set the stage for a wonderful dining experience complete with top-notch service and a family-friendly atmosphere. Their relatively generous parking lot fills up fast on a Friday night as loyal patrons arrive in droves, often with children in tow. The only negative that we can manage to scrape together is that the booths sit peculiarly low relative to the tables, and we're grasping at straws with that one.

Pizza. Hope's pizza is excellent to say the least. With a perfect Greek-style buttery crust, quality cheese, and expertly seasoned sauce, this pizza arrived at the table screamingly hot and stayed as such until we could not eat any more. The toppings (pepperoncini, pronounced "banana peppers") were both unique and very good. As with most Greek pizzas however, Hope falls into the "stupid square slices" category, adversely affecting both its otherwise flawless texture and ingredient slip on (or more accurately, off of) the center squares. Greek tradition be damned, those middle pieces are an abomination and we have yet to devise an effective consumption technique. These last-to-be-picked crustless slices are like the kids no one wants to pick for their team in wiffle ball. In the big picture though, this is a minor nick on a very good pizza that should be tried by all.

The bottom line. Hope Pizza Restaurant is the blueprint for good Greek pizza in Stamford that the whole family will enjoy time and time again.

Establishment: 24/30
Pizza: 24/30
Hits the Spot: 9/10
Large Cheese: $12.50

AWARDS WON:

2009 – Best Greek Pizza

2009 – Tournament Finalist (5th place)

This place is very fun. Vinny's Backyard Restaurant has a lot of character and offers a unique product at the very least. Located off the beaten path in Springdale amidst embroidery and custom signs shops, Vinny's offers the best of both worlds with a full, spacious bar equipped with TVs in the round as well as a conventional sit-down area with table service.

Establishment. Vinny's has a playful atmosphere unlike anything we've seen thus far, resembling (unsurprisingly) a backyard barbecue. Never to be shorted on wall trinkets, both the bar and dining room are loaded to the ceiling with a collection that would put the Applebee's to shame. The menu is very diverse, offering 12" bar pizzas, wings, ribs in the style of the defunct Fireside Restaurant, and daily specials. The wait staff was quick and attentive (also quick to charge for refills and not so quick to deliver the check...I had to slip that in) and tables were bussed at a lightning quick pace. We weren't too happy with the proximity of tables to one another or to entering customers but all in all, Vinny's establishment has been far and away our favorite.

Pizza. To be blunt, Vinny's isn't going to win any awards for their pizza. The crust is extremely thin and crackeresque and serves only as a vehicle for cheese and sauce, neither of which is anything to write home about. If a cracker crust is what you're looking for, you've come to the right place, otherwise, you'll be disappointed with the texture as well. It came as no surprise to us when our paper thin pizza cooled to room temperature on its tumultuous journey from the oven to the table. On the upside, this made for a very high resistance to the dreaded ingredient slip.

The bottom line. Vinny's is an excellent bar and grill with a bold, local flair and and an unparalleled dining room experience (also, they happen to serve pizza).

Establishment: 26/30
Pizza: 17/30
Hits the Spot: 7/10
Large Cheese: $8.00 (12")

AWARDS WON:

2009 – Most Fun