Author: Alison Kjeldgaard
I don’t know about you, but I’m tired of riding my bike all the way to Casa Bianca dreaming of a delicious, cheesy pepperoni pizza with a crispy thin crust only to realize that it’s a Monday, and I have to dejectedly tell myself on the long ride home that my growling stomach is just going to have to settle for the last broken crumbs at the bottom of a pizza flavored Pringles can instead. On the days that I’m feeling lazy, devouring a grease-drenched Dominos pizza and convincing myself that at least the hot green pepper on the side (currently burning holes through my stomach) has nutritional value leaves me unable to move for the rest of the night.
However, my situation is looking up; delicious and healthier competition is in town. When I first arrived at Brownstone Pizzeria, ravenous and sweaty from the 95-degree weather, I was greeted by whirring fans (AC coming soon) and the staff’s friendly smiles. Having managed Oxy’s own Tiger Cooler two years prior, Brownstone’s manager, Richard Carrillo, knows exactly what we want. Brownstone Pizzeria is not only open seven days a week, but serves its pizza with fresh produce. Say goodbye to those nasty canned mushrooms that so many pizzerias use; Brownstone serves a variety of fresh toppings, including diced pineapples, bell peppers and red onions.
After talking about the restaurant and how their pizza compares to the other pizzerias in the area (Carrillo replied simply, “Ours is the best. No one can compare.”), I got to try it for myself. Carrillo suggested the Margherita pizza with fresh Roma tomatoes and basil, so I ordered a large slice with a cold drink. I sat in one of the window alcoves built into the front of the restaurant to wait for my order. The atmosphere of the restaurant is very inviting, with sepia-toned photos of New York landmarks, Dell flat-screened televisions on the walls, small wooden tables with candles in the center and a dark wood floor.
Still in its first year of business, Brownstone opened last October after the rental space underwent major renovation. Partnered with Dell, the A&E reality TV show We Mean Business (airing its first episode tomorrow) provided all of the funding necessary to start the pizzeria. The show is about jump-starting struggling small businesses by redesigning the space and giving the owners tips on increasing profits and bringing in new customers. With cameras everywhere, the show’s designers tore up old linoleum tile, painted the walls with bright, friendly colors and installed a fully functional kitchen over the course of four hectic days. The end result is a newly designed pizzeria ready to bring in many new customers.
My pizza came quickly and I enjoyed every bite. On top of the fresh melted mozzarella and creamy tomato sauce, the Roma tomatoes tasted cool and juicy, while the basil added extra flavor. The New York style crust was crispy, not soggy and chewy like Dominos. Unlike Casa Bianca, who makes their pizza crust with cornmeal, Brownstone uses only flour, making for a deliciously crispy, yet still soft and pillowy crust. I’m definitely going back again soon.
Carrillo hasn’t forgotten about his Oxy days since he offers a 10% student discount on top of his already reasonable prices. Without the discount, slices of pizza range from $2.50 to $3.50, while whole pizzas are $15.95 to $20.95. Although this is more expensive than Italiano’s or Domino’s, the quality of the pizza makes up for it.
Pastas are also on the menu, including baked ziti and cheese ravioli. Spicy buffalo wings, meatballs and cheesy focaccia garlic bread are delicious starter options. Brownstone also offers panini, subs and various soups and salads. Lunch specials are offered Mondays through Fridays from 11:30 – 3:30 when you can get two slices of cheese pizza and a drink for $4.95.
Although the pizzeria is only open until 9 p.m. as of now, the restaurant will acquire a liquor license in October and will stock up on wines and beers to drink with your pizza. This addition will make Brownstone a nice place to hang out and grab an early drink on the weekends.
Located just east of Eagle Rock on Colorado, Brownstone is a delicious alternative to other pizzerias in the area. So if you have a craving for pizza, stop by to try something new. Brownstone does not have delivery services available yet, but if you want to call in orders ahead of time, the number is (323) 25-PIZZA.
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