A Secret Pizza Night Cap at La Grassa
A secret late night pizza adventure to grab a corner slice. Mark and I venture venture to The Vandal to grab late night La Grassa
Hi there!
La Grassa has been popping up at The Vandal the past few Saturday nights. I’ve included it in the newsletter a few times hoping that would inspire you, the reader, to go out and get some great last night pizza. Never in a million years did I think I’d ever get a chance to saunter down to The Vandal after hours for some pizza. And for me, After Hours is 8 p.m. EST.
My pizza pal Mark and I started our journey at the Brillobox, which we affectionally call Brillo. Brillo is a spot we’ve been going to for over a decade and in our younger days I might’ve been in their hall of fame for Miller High Life consumption. Those long neck bottles are divine and the liquid coming out of there is a pureed ambrosia.
This past Saturday Mark and I met at Brillo to watch the Steelers quickly and quietly exit the NFL Playoff picture, as is tradition. The game was pathetic, sad, we finished our loaded nachos and Mark suggested we hit the road - “I saw La Grassa is going to be at The Vandal tonight?” And that’s all that needed to be said. We were soon slipping and sliding down Main St on a frozen Saturday night eager to eat corner slices of pizza.
We were two starving hunters thirsty for a crunchy, warm corner slice. Complete pizza sychiphants some may say. And there’s nothing wrong with that when you think about it. Mark had never had La Grassa before and only heard tales of their legendary corner slices. La Grassa is an injection of interesting new pizza in the city and their approach to presentation, toppings and style help them stand apart from the rest of the pizza world. It’s certainly worth braving the cold and a late night for.
After hours, La Grassa takes over the kitchen of The Vandal on Butler St in Lawrenceville. When I was in college a friend of mine and I would similarly take over a radio station after hours. We had a midnight slot, but every time we went to the station we faced difficult getting in and on the air. We wondered later if we actually had permission to put on a radio show or we simply trespassed, but everyone was cool with it. Similar vibes here.
Eric of La Grassa was running a bit late, but Mark and I held down the bar grabbing a Negroni and a beer. Some sort of German pilsner. Just what we needed after a few hours of drinking at Brillo. Another clump of dog that would pay dividends tomorrow
On the menu were three pizza options and two non-pizza options. Two red options and a white for the pizza, all the signature La Grassa rectangle. Mark and I settled on The Standard. An appropriate choice as the Steeler’s season came to an end as the wise words of Mike Tomlin rang out: The Standard is The Standard. An obtuse and warped mantra that baffles more than it inspires. This is the kind of phrase a court jester would make up to avoid execution.
Here, the standard was very clear. It was a simple pepperoni pizza from La Grassa. Though instead of listing pepperoni as an ingredient they list it as “rose grande” which is great for people who shop for pizza ingredients on the regular, confusing for anyone else. Especially because pepperoni is mentioned as an add for another pizza. Unless pepperoni and rose grande are different? Hard to say, but maybe the confusion of the standard is an homage to Mike Tomlin’s infamous saying
As we waited for the pizza, a few other patrons came in from the cold. The dimly lit Vandal was a cool backdrop to late night pizza. It seemed like we were breaking a rule or part of a cool underground pizza club. Not many knew about this venture, but the ones that did were enthusiastic about the late night pizza opportunity. Finally, some late night food that might be the competition the Butler st Wendy’s needs to up their late night game.
The standard arrived and mark and I plunged in. Each bite was accompanied by a crunch. The rose grande was hitting, the crust was delicious, sauce was nice and tangy, though mark did think it was a tad too sweet for him. But after the first few bites the savory nature of the pizza caught up with us. The salt, meat, and cheese builds and builds on itself. The presence of the pepperoni becomes too much and the caramelized cheese around the edges is over powering. The pizza trains were slowing down.
It’s a great pizza, but I wonder if the Diavola would’ve been a better pick. The addition of hot honey might be the perfect compliment to a savory pizza, finding some balance and cutting that rich flavor.
In another life where I’m up late, prowling around town, this would be a regular haunt for me. It’s low key, subtle, and at $18- $20 for a pizza it’s a perfect pizza night cap. Something to settle the stomach before a long slumber. Not to mention it’s a cool spot, intimate, great cocktails and a fun spot to be.
I’m continually impressed with La Grassa’s growth and persistence. Finding ways to get their pizza out to as many people as possible, working with local shops to make things happen. I’ve been told they have some fun collabs on the horizon so keep an eye out for more opportunities to find their pizza around town.
If you’re reading this tonight, La Grassa is popping up at The Vandal at 10 p.m. tonight to 1 a.m.. Maybe I’ll see you there?
Check out La Grassa for more info.
Secret late night pizza? Hey if you’re out there give it a try.
Pizza ya later!
-Dan Tallarico, Pizza Journalist
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