Pizzeria Giove- New Dorp, Staten Island

Now let me tell you about this relatively new place in New Dorp called Pizzeria Giove! They opened their doors on February 2011 and serve beautiful thin pies. I been a regular here since June and the Giove Brothers are nothing short of accommodating.

I been around long enough that they call me by first name after reviewing them under my Tumblr blog. They have a dual oven system where the first part is all wood burning and the bottom part is reminiscent to a gas oven. The main man, Giorgio Giove was featured on "Throwdown with Bobby Flay" where he beat Bobby Flay with his Variopinta pie with Stracciatella, Pancetta, Zucchini and a garlic and herb infused cheese.

Pizzeria Giove has a nice atmosphere and televisions that for the most part playing the food network getting you hungry while you wait for their pies.

After having a conversation about pizza and different styles Giorgio hates coal oven places that made the bigger guys ("Lombardi's" and "Grimaldi's") so popular, as well as the puffy neapolitan pies such as "Pizzarte" and "Forcella". He does love one thing however, his regulars and competition.

I'm really big on calzones, I can say I love them. After seeing no calzones on Giove's menu I went crazy. I asked Giorgio why it's not on the menu, he simply said "Cheese doesn't melt well enough". I challenged him...I went to both Donatella's and Pizzarte to try their calzones, and little did I know, It melted in a wood burning oven! (Coal on the other hand was not!). I showed Giorgio the pictures and he caved in.

Now I will be talking about two items: The baked calzone and the Margherita.

We'll start with the calzone! The Calzone was beyond perfect. It had a nice charred taste that left me for wanting more. The Brothers just used Mozzarella and their San Marzano tomato sauce to give it that zing. Cheese was melted well enough (I guess not to Giorgio's standard) and the texture was nice. This got a solid 9 out of my scale. I am sad to say though IT IS NOT ON THE MENU.

The Margherita is one of my favorites on Staten Island. It has a thin crust along with fresh mozzarella, san marzano sauce and basil. Now please if you come here DO NOT GET THE PLAIN CHEESE PIE. If you want the plain cheese pie go to Brothers on Forest Ave. These guys are known for their specialty pies  and Margherita. The plain cheese pie was way to greasy and had a weird texture to it (but that's okay cause Giorgio DISLIKES making it and he advises his customers to get the Margherita.

And just for fun after discussing Forcella, Giorgio made a Pizze Frite!! Which is basically fried pizza! Not on the menu as well.










Now Pizzeria Giove is my number one spot on Staten Island and second on my overall list under Di Fara's. They have everything I look for in a local pizza spot, an amazing staff and beyond amazing food. Over the course from my first visit in June to now I seen this place get busier. I'm proud I am a regular here. Don't skimp out on the paninis and the specialty pies. Who knows about the calzone, if you request it he will maybe finally put it on the menu!!!