This post officially marks the start of the sixth year of Chiu on This. Unbelievable. I can't do the most minor things consistently for five days, so the fact that I've kept this blog going for a full five years - albeit with sporadic postings - leaves me a bit dumbfounded.
The guy who helped start it all is the original Friend of Chiu on This, Rick, whose emailed review was the source of my very first post. I thought it would therefore be fitting to have a recent email exchange with Rick kick off year six of what I still consider my silly endeavor.
Heck, I am a "seasoned" Zagat critic (289 reviews to date) but have no experience with Yelp but, at the kind invitation of the owner of Stuzzi, agreed to submit a review.
Tremendous authentic Neapolitan pizza and clearly the best pizza in the Richmond area. I have tried six pies so far and favorites are the basic margherita, the roasted wild mushrooms and the sopressata salami. Only disappointment, and I qualify that by setting the bar really high, has been the little neck clam and mussel pie. Hint - leave off the cheese and mussels and add more clams ala Pepe's in New Haven and you will then have a real gem offered no where else in the area.
The dining area music is much too loud and the musical choices are inappropriate for one to fully experience the pleasure of dining on such wonderful Italian pies. Why not think about popping some Italian tunes in that CD player and crank the volume down so that I can have a conversation with my date over how great the food is?
[I queried Rick as to whether he ate six pies in one sitting, which would be impressive but probably painful.] Six pies over the course of multiple visits - hey, it is only 6 blocks from our house and their house red wine is only $20 a bottle.
[I mentioned a restaurant in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, that I used to go to which stated clearly in the menu that they wouldn't serve parmesan cheese to diners who ordered seafood dishes.] Yeah, cheese on seafood? Our favorite Richmond Italian eats are at a place called Mamma Zu and they are known for their brash rudeness in refusing a rube's attempt at asking for grated cheese on their seafood entrees. Always very entertaining to watch their interaction with the brusque waitresses.
Thanks again, Rick! Here's to many more years of great eating experiences!
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