L&B Spumoni Gardens, originally uploaded by Aaron Landry.

After an unsuccessful attempt to visit Totonno Pizzeria Napolitano in Coney Island, I wandered around and then with a storm rolling in I jumped on a N train and made my way to a historic slice of Brooklyn's pizza history, L&B Spumoni Gardens.

I was surprised as to how large of an operation they are: a pizzeria, restaurant, a separate section for Italian ices to go and a large tent with rows of red and white benches. I felt like I was at a Brooklyn version of pizza Oktoberfest. Also, to say that the dress here is "casual" may be implying something more dressy than it is.

I got what they're known for and what everyone else there seemed to be eating: their square sliced Sicilian pizza. Before I show the pizza, I should warn you that it is the most foul-looking piece of pizza I've ever photographed. Ready? Here.

As ugly as this thing might be, it was actually quite tasty. A very chewy and thick piece. All the oil from the cheese and and some of the sauce atop of it was soaked into the crust. I have to say, I was surprised! It's one of the only two stops on A Slice of Brooklyn's Pizza Tour and after experiencing it myself, I see it is for good reason.

L&B Spumoni Gardens
2725 86th St
Brooklyn, NY 11223
718.449.1230

Tomato, Buffalo Mozzarella and Basil Pizza at Franny's, originally uploaded by Aaron Landry.

I've been meaning to catch up with my cousin Bridget and her husband Travis while I'm in New York so I invited them to the Cupcakes Take the Cake Picnic in Central Park last weekend. Unfortunately due to my lack of water and hiking a few too many miles through Manhattan on a hot and steamy day, I became ill from heat exhaustion and wasn't very fun. Right after they arrived, I left in a taxi to cool off and get better. Sorry.

Anyway, I made up for it today by taking them out to Franny's which is just north of Prospect Park in Brooklyn. Franny's pride themselves on their environmentally conscious business and they generally source locally grown and organic ingredients.

We were seated in the back patio where you are teased by their wood fire oven on the way through. I was told that their pizzas were small but in my opinion, they are not. They are served Neapolitan style and uncut but they're larger than most of this style that I've had. I ordered their tomato, buffalo mozzarella and basil pizza, which is their take on the Margherita. Bridget and Travis ordered a couple other pizzas and the first thing I noticed, other than the size was how difficult the crust was to cut! I had a fun time trying to use my knife without shaking the table and Bridget joked about how she felt if she slipped the wrong way the pizza would fly off the plate. It wouldn't be hard being the plates were smaller than the pizza itself. None of this got in the way with enjoying the very fresh cheese, mildly sweet sauce and basil. The crust, on the edges was chewy and even just smelling the pizza was satisfying. Heck, just looking at it was satisfying. Very balanced overall and a pizza I'd strongly recommend. It's a good and very tasty take on Neapolitan style and just as important, it's supporting sustainable and environmentally friendly practices. I wish there were a lot more places that ran like this around here (such as Habana Outpost which I visited later in the day).

We took our time eating and chatting and by the end, this pizza eater couldn't even finish it. Bridget and Travis were able to take a half pizza home too. Go, and bring an appetite.

Franny's
295 Flatbush Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11217
718-230-0221

The Classic at Oven, originally uploaded by Aaron Landry.

Even though I had been to Grimaldi's a few years ago, it is one of those places I keep getting told I have to visit again. No doubt, it is great pizza, but I can't say I was thrilled about going down just to say I had it again. So I went and was greeted by a long queue. I decided to go down and take a couple photos and when I came back the line was longer.

Thankfully I remembered that Oven was just a few blocks away so I decided to go there instead -- and I'm glad I did! It was empty when I arrived mid-afternoon on a weekday and I was served promptly. No waiting at all. I ordered their Classic.

The fresh dough bubbled up and made a thicker crust that's quite chewy. The tomato-basil sauce was very tasty but there wasn't much cheese. In fact, it seemed like there was more basil than cheese. No problem though because it was overall quite yummy, and not very similar to other pizzas I've had in New York. They're beautiful too.

Towards the end, even though I was the only patron it was difficult to get my server to come back. To give him the benefit of the doubt it seemed like he was training a new employee in. A lot to eat and I took more than half of it back to where I'm staying to share. Good pizza and atmosphere -- I'd take a date here.

Oven
60 Henry St
Brooklyn, NY 11201
718-468-6836‎

Di Fara Pizza, originally uploaded by Aaron Landry.

Di Fara is regarded by many as the best pizza in the world. I was skeptical seeing the run-down exterior on Avenue J in Brooklyn. Inside are a few folding tables, some chairs and the legendary Dom DeMarco in a stylish hat was busy making pies. I came at a lucky time on a Wednesday afternoon as often there are very long waiting lines. Inside were regulars on a first-name basis with Dom and his daughter. I ordered a plain slice and sat down.

The slice smelled fantastic. The cheeses, mozzarella di bufala, fior di latte and Grana Padano are hand graded and absolutely delicious and the basil, which is cut with a scissors, was tasty and fresh. Their own sauce is fantastic and the crust is crispy and just a tad bit chewy on the edges. Perfect. I couldn't resist and went back up to the counter and said I needed another one. Everyone inside laughed and smiled at my statement (I'm serious), likely seeing I was yet one more guy put under the trance of Di Fara's slices in the 44 years they've been open. Four bucks for one of the best slices of pizza in the world -- quite worth it. See more on Di Fara at Epicurious and the Di Fara tag on Slice. Di Fara Pizza 1424 Avenue J Brooklyn NY 11230 718-258-1367