For context, this was my fav place prior to today. The pizza itself is delicious but the staff are unsanitary and rude. Around 12:40 today, I order 2 slices. I watched the cashier take the person before me's money, take my order, then touch all 4 slices of pizza with his hands as he put them in the oven. When I pointed out that he just touched the food with dirty hands, he said "okay 🤷🏿♀️" like he didn't even care. I thought it was a language barrier, as he was clearly spanish-speaking, so I pointed it out again. Other customers behind me noticed, and he still didn't care. This was at the walk up window, so I went inside to the bar area and asked for a manager. When he saw that I did that, only then did he wash his hands AND put on gloves. Oh, NOW you understand what I was saying?? How convenient! I asked the auburn haired bartender with the Russian accent for a manager, and she there's no manager in until 9 at night (btw, that's bad business. How can a business be run well with no manager a majority of the day? Maybe if they hired one, someone would be there to ensure sanitation practices, hmmm?) When I told her about the lack of gloves, she said "what am I supposed to do about it?" WOW. I replied "well you could tell the manager when they come in." She looked at me like I had 3 heads and said "NO" with an attitude. She clearly didn't think it was a problem either, or at the very least didnt care because it wasnt her job or food. I said "so you have no issue with this either?" And she replied "well you could put it online." What manager trained you to tell unhappy customers to put their complaints online?? Well ma'am, that's EXACTLY what I'm doing! I'm also reporting this place to the Health Dept, not just for sanitation reasons, but for not caring when it was pointed out to them. Since there is no manager there during the day, the health inspector should have no problems getting inside to inspect it, how about that? The service was so poor, I almost started to feel bad for the manager. It seems like even if they were properly trained, they wouldn't care enough to follow the training anyway. I'll admit, on the way out, I made sure to say VERY loudly "wow, no one cares about them handling the pizza with dirty hands??" I got satisfaction from the look of horror on at least 2 patrons' faces. For this, they deserve every customer they lose. If I choose to spend $7 on a single slice from you, the LEAST you could do is make sure I don't get sick from eating it! I don't even know if I want to eat at another location. If this is what they do to the food when we're watching, imagine what they do when we don't. I'm truly disappointed, as it's hard to find a good pizza shop these days. The pizza is great, but is going to be ruined by employees that don't care. It's not their store, why should they, I guess? They're just there to cash a paycheck. The manager needs to pull the cameras ASAP and fire the offenders. If a food establishment doesn't take food safety with the utmost seriousness, why even join the industry??? This entire situation is unacceptable; you're playing with people's lives like we didn't just go through a whole...
Read moreThe pepperoni slice at this pizzeria was a culinary masterpiece. The pepperoni, crisped to perfection at the edges, provided a delightful smokiness that complemented the gooey, melted cheese. The crust, thin and crispy, added a satisfying crunch, making each bite a textural delight.
As for the vodka slice, it was a revelation. The creamy vodka sauce, rich and flavorful, coated the crust in a velvety layer that harmonized beautifully with the melted cheese. The sauce was infused with just the right amount of herbs and spices, creating a symphony of tastes on the palate.
Together, these slices showcased the craftsmanship of the pizzeria's chefs. The attention to detail in the ingredients and the skillful execution of each element resulted in a pizza experience that transcended the ordinary. Whether you're a traditionalist or seeking a culinary adventure, the pepperoni and vodka slices at this establishment are sure to leave your taste buds thoroughly satisfied.
The Staten Island pizza slice from Artichoke Basil left much to be desired during my recent tasting experience. Despite expectations, the slice proved disappointing due to its unimpressive presentation and lack of cohesion in flavors.
From the outset, the slice appeared messy and disorganized. The toppings seemed haphazardly arranged, resulting in an unsightly appearance that did not align with the expected standards of a quality pizza. The lack of attention to detail in its presentation was immediately apparent and detracted from the overall appeal.
Moreover, the slice's inconsistency and lack of coherence in flavors were apparent upon tasting. The ingredients failed to harmonize, leading to a disjointed combination that did not complement each other. This lack of synergy in taste left an underwhelming impression and failed to deliver the anticipated satisfaction.
Additionally, the structural integrity of the slice posed a challenge. Its unruly nature made it difficult to consume without everything falling apart, resulting in a messy eating experience. The slice's inability to maintain its form further contributed to the overall dissatisfaction with the culinary offering.
In conclusion, Artichoke Basil's Staten Island pizza slice fell short of expectations, primarily due to its messy presentation, lack of flavor cohesion, and structural instability. The disjointed combination of toppings and the overall disarray detracted from the enjoyment typically associated with a well-crafted...
Read moreHello, I want to share my experience at this pizzeria. I have been visiting this place for 5 years and I even have pictures from many of the times I’ve come here. This past weekend I went with my husband, our best friend, her mom, and her sister. We always choose a table and the service is usually excellent, especially from an older gentleman, I believe he is from Puerto Rico, who is always very kind, and another gentleman who welcomes customers, who is also very attentive. The reason I am writing this review is because this time I was very surprised by the service. We ordered meatballs, but they were served frozen. We politely asked the waitress if she could heat them up. She came back with the plate boiling hot, but with a very bad attitude. My husband was the one trying the meatballs, and he noticed they did not taste like real meat. They tasted like a substitute, more like vegan meat, so he left the entire plate. In the end, we paid for the large pizza and other items, but when I told the waitress that the meatballs did not taste like meat, she responded with a mocking attitude, rolling her eyes and saying, “Those are meatballs, can’t you see?” I understand that we all can have a bad day, but her behavior was very unpleasant. I want to clarify that I will return, because I like the pizza, and I plan to speak directly with the owner, who I believe is one of the two kind gentlemen I mentioned earlier. I am a chef, and I can assure you that those meatballs were not real meat. I’m writing this as a warning for other customers: please double-check if you order that dish. As for the service, if the same waitress serves me again, I will leave the table. Normally I am generous with tips, but this time I left the minimum because I did not feel...
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