R.I.P. Vinny Vella’s Pizza

My local pizza place was a gem.  They made this creamy vodka pie so delicous that it became the only answer I had for that eternal question, “What do you want to eat?”  And beyond that it was owned by career mob-movie extra, Vinny Vella, who felt it necessary to plaster the interior with on set photos of himself with everyone from Sharon Stone (in Casino) to Billy Crystal (in Analyze That).  It was both charming and ridiculous.

The other day I go in and get a large vodka pie… for myself… for lunch, and they say, “here’s the new menu”, and stick it in the side of my pizza box.  “Ok”, I’m thinking, “I guess prices are going up.”  I go home, cue up a downloaded Oscar screener, and take a bite.

This is not the delicious vodka slice I’m accustomed to.  It’s engrained in my sense memory.  I know I’ve been duped.  That’s when I see the new menu.  It looks pretty much the same as the old one, but instead of Vinny Vella’s smiling mug, there’s some other cartoony mafioso looking back at me.  And now it’s called Better Fella’s.

Wtf.

Not only is it a horrible name (it’s like they were trying to save money by keeping the “ella” at the end).  Not only does their new cover guy wear two stupid shiny rings.  But now the pizza sucks.  And for that, I shall never forgive them.

Also R.I.P.: Slices (Park Slope) and Brick Oven Gallery AKA B.O.G. (Williamsburg)

-dave