So, for about a year now, every time I
would see John and Gina, they'd somehow work it into the conversation
how they just had to take me to this restaurant called Monte's. It's
this pizzeria/restaurant they discovered on Carroll Street around the
corner from their tattoo shop. (I was going to call it a tattoo
“parlor” but it just sounds ridiculous in my head.) This Monte's
had been mentioned to me at least a dozen times and I had completely
given up any hope of ever setting foot inside the establishment.
After all this time, I should be forgiven is I thought this place was
as real as the Easter Bunny, Brian Johnson's Canadian girlfriend (If
you don't get that, you may be too young to be reading this.) or a
compassionate conservative. However, on the day after we all went to
a raucous 40th birthday party where some of us danced with
plastic skeletons and we drank Bay Ridge dry of whiskey... After
Gina spent the day making her stunning debut as a runway model...
After John and I made our spectacular debut what looked to many as
gay parents, I was finally gifted with a visit to this Snuffleupagus
of restaurants. And it was worth the wait.
As with most places John and Gina
frequent, when you walk in, you're greeted with a handshake and a
smile. John immediately becomes the mayor of pretty much any place
he visits more than 5 times. Monte's was no different. All of the
staff were very friendly. The waiter made it a point to include John
and Gina's 3-year old, Chloe...who seemed to be pretty thrilled with
the margherita pizza that she had. The only complaint I can even
think of about the restaurant was that it was a bit dimly lit for my
tastes.
 |
| The Bresaola Pie...ours had a lot more spinach. |
We adults decided on a small pizza as
an appetizer and then regular entrees for dinner. I was told
immediately after agreeing to this idea that we were getting the
Bresaola pizza and that was that. When you're given a a “suggestion”
as fervently as I was given that one, you don't argue. Am I ever
glad that I didn't. Before I even bother telling you what was on the
pizza, let me tell you how amazing the crust was. Monte's makes
their pizzas in a wood-fired oven and the crust is just perfect.
It's slightly chewy with a little bit of crunch to it in places and
just slightly tangy. Typing the words is making me yearn for it.
OK...so the Bresaola pizza has mozzarella, mushrooms, baby spinach,
bresaola (which is Italian air-dried beef for those of you not in the
know), parmagiano cheese and truffle oil. This was a magnificent
pizza. Normally, I'm annoyed by salad-ish type pizza with a bunch of
leaves all over it. It just doesn't look like pizza. And when they
brought this pizza out and I saw it, I was annoyed. Then I ate and I
didn't care at all what it looked like. I just wanted to eat
it...forever. John and I also split a few really excellent
Prosciutto Balls. A lot of places make them and they're disgusting
greasy cheese balls. This were actually perfect. No grease at all.
Crunchy outside and creamy heaven inside. If you hadn't guessed, I
was already loving Monte's.
Not to be forgotten, we did get
entrees. John and Gina both had Rigatoni Bolognese that I didn't get
to try, but their plates were as clean as when they came out of the
dishwasher when they were done. That's got to say something. I had
Garganelli All'anatra which was a bigger penne-like pasta with
roasted duck ragu, truffle oil and mascarpone cheese. Unlike the
pizza, I could not eat this every day...but I was thrilled to be
eating it on Sunday. So fantastically rich and indulgent. The duck
was incredibly tasty. I'm not always a fan of mascarpone, as it can
be too sweet for my taste. Not in this case at all. This was almost
an alfredo gone wild.
To give you an idea of the impact this
excellent food had, the majority of this sprang fully-formed from my
brain like Athena the goddess of wisdom at 2am. I jotted most of
this down deliriously in the dark on a pad I keep on my bedside
table. I promise you I will be going back to try more of this menu.
I can't wait to eat more pizza!
451 Carroll Street
Brooklyn, NY, 11215
718-852-7800
Just tell 'em John and Gina sent you.
I'm sure they'll know who you mean.
