Gruppo Thin Crust is the thinnest in the streets

Gruppo Pizza really represents the true meaning of “A slice of life”, by bringing a heartbeat to pizza. In the East Village, right by my sister’s old apartment, There lies Gruppo Thin Crust pizzeria. When I first came in I didn’t really want to be there, but my parents were treating Rachel and me and I couldn’t turn up on the offer. I immediately fell in love after my first slice of their Meat Lovers pie.  The Meat Lover's is pizza topped with sweet and hot italian sausage and thin sliced pepperoni. Their other pies make it hard to come to a final decision. 

The restaurant has a warmth to it that makes you feel welcomed to relax and enjoy a nice hot meal. Their House pies are what they are known for with all pies served with a thin crisp crust. Each pie has a creative twist to them that separates them from other pizzerias. The salads have unique ingredients like “Baby spinach, cranberries, candied pecans, pears with lemon, vinaigrette, dressing that when combined make up the Spinach Salad which is a step ahead in a new direction of salad.

When I recently made my visit, I ordered a personal size Salsiccia Dolce pie. It had a sweet taste to it from the sweet Italian sausage and caramelized onions that created the top layer of the pie. The layer of basil was refreshing and brought the other ingredients together  to create a rich overall taste. After four slices I felt like I couldn't eat anymore but I still couldn't stop myself from eat the remaining slices.

                     

    This is the Salsiccia Dolce pie.

How could I turn down such a great pizza? 

    

   

                                                                The Meat Lover's pie .

If I was president and had an official stamp that allowed me to stamp “approve” on every important document; this review would receive that stamp of approval.

Personal pies range from eight dollars and fifty cents to twelve dollars and fifty cents depending on the pie.

Salads range from five dollars to eight dollars.

You can even customize a pie with a starting price of seven dollars for a nine-inch personal pie or fourteen dollars for a large sixteen-inch pie.

You have a wide selection of toppings to choose from, such as sweet red peppers, marinated diced tomatoes and Portobello mushrooms.  

Stop in or get it delivered. Just try the pizza already.

Deliveries are made from 11:30 am to 10 pm every day.

Need to know the address? 

Just keep reading.

 The address is:

186 Avenue B, between eleventh and twelfth.

New York, NY, 10009

Need to know how to get there?

Take the L train to fourteenth and First Avenue.

                 

                           

                             

Island Choice Restaurant is way up there

I came across Island Choice Restaurant over the summer and instantly knew that this was a place I had to return to.  Island Choice Restaurant in Harlem has mouth-watering Caribbean food that often gets passed up over higher-end restaurants. Don’t pass up on the opportunity. Trust me.  When you walk in aromas of curry chicken, ox-tail and cooked cabbage smack you in the face in the best way possible (yes, it IS possible to get smacked in a good way).

With huge windows overlooking Adam Clayton Boulevard, you get a free show with every meal. Fortunately, I was able to experience an entertaining show and even witnessed a motorcyclist ride his dirt bike right into the bodega across the street like it was the norm. Additionally, I was able to see a live performance by a little girl singing Rihanna’s “Please Don’t Stop the Music.” By the time I walked out I had a funny story to tell my friends and a memory that will stay with me until the next time.

Looking at the menu there were so many great combinations of platters I could choose from. After examining the menu a great deal, I went with the pepper steak, mac n’ cheese and rice. What a great choice it was. 

The steak was tender enough to cut with a plastic fork, which made eating easy and allowed me to shovel the food in my mouth just a tad bit quicker. Thin strips of red pepper and onions were intertwined within the steak forcing you to enjoy every component with each bite. 

Don’t even get me started with the mac n’ cheese. It tastes better then my mom’s version of homemade mac n’ cheese (also known as Velveeta packages). Having Island Choice’s homemade version of this was a great way to enjoy the classic kids meal that I never had. It was simple and right to the point. The rice was seasoned with curry and had a plentiful supply of red beans that brought it life. With so much on my plate I couldn’t even finish it all. I was able to bring the excess food home and was able to relive the good times once again.

The price for my medium sized dish and a Snapple came out to $11.50.

Their prices range from fifty-cent dumplings to fourteen-dollar curry shrimp dinners.

Hey, if you ask me that’s pretty reasonable.

Come on in craving excellent Caribbean food and walk out stuffed with a second meal for later.

The exact location:

On the corner of Adam Clayton Blvd. and W119th Street.

New York, NY 10026

Hours:

Monday-Saturday 6:30a.m- 11 p.m

Sunday- 6:30 a.m- 9 p.m

Contact:

212-866-3136

Prosperity Dumplings, also known as God's gift to society

Eldridge st. in the Lower East Side could be considered the mecca of dumplings. The block has a few of the best dumplings spots in the city, all of which charge reasonable prices for their goods. There is one spot that stands out from the rest and features a vibrant yellow sign and dark blue writing. They go by the name Prosperity Dumplings. Like many other hidden "hole in the wall" restaurants, Prosperity Dumplings has a long line that comes right out of the front door. If I put dumplings in terms of Darwin’s theory of “survival of the fittest.” Prosperity would come out on the top with their dominant dumplings, leaving the others in the dust.

Prosperity is known for their pork-fried dumplings that are sold at a rate of five for one dollar. That’s right, five dumplings for only one dollar. Dumplings feature pork and are accented with chives to give it a rich taste. The dumplings are then wrapped in dough and fried right in a skillet right in front of you. Become a local by eating them with soy sauce, and a little bit of spicy Sriracha, too.

The best thing about this joint is that they constantly work to make more dumplings in order to keep up with the high demand. They rarely run out (don’t worry; if you wanted an order of forty dumplings, they will indeed grant your request).

Walk in like you’ve been eating dumplings your whole life and order these three essentials:

1. One order of dumplings
2. Warmed up sesame pancake
3. One can of soda.

 

One might ask, “How much would something of this caliber cost?” I'll tell you...

Three dollars. Yeah, that’s right.

THREE DOLLARS!

Stop in for a snack, for lunch, a date, or catering for any Jewish holiday. (Just joking, Pork is definitely not kosher.

If you are in the area, it's worth the visit.

The exact location:

46 Eldridge St

(Between Canal & Hester St)

New York, NY 10002

A new chapter

This is The Loud Pack's first posting. I will be starting to venture off throughout the city shortly. My goal: to taste some of the finest dishes made in new york city. Reviews of my experiences will be posted on the blog. Photographs, a taste review, and contact information for you subscribers to visit the restaurant yourself.
-Jake