Well folks, we still can’t dine out, so one more week of takeout. It may come in a square box, but the shape of heaven is round.
There have been many arguments over who has the best pizza in Sudbury. Favourites? Speedy delivery? Location? Quantity? Consistency? Sauce? Cheese? Oh, my!
What does make the perfect pizza? Shouldn’t it be about the pie? So many say it starts with the fundamentals: great crust, fresh ingredients and love.
Some trek to New York for thin crust, others seek out deep dish in Chicago. So stylistically different you can spend years searching for nirvana. After all that still it may remain elusive, or last just one bite. An amazing variety of parameters result in the ultimate expression of pizza pleasure: chains and franchises, independents and artisanal; it is a worthy quest.
For my part let me share the newest one in the mix, Pizzeria Roma (or on Facebook) in Sudbury. Add it to your repertoire and give it a chance to be on your speed dial.
Roberto Ferrucci is no novice, having started learning the art of the pizza at his uncle’s side in New York.
“I was 10 year old. Every time our family visited, he taught me more. He is now living back in Ponza, an island off the coast of Latina, our family home. After high school, I moved to New York for two years learning from the masters at the legendary Louie and Ernie's Pizza in the Bronx. They taught me the drizzle olive oil was an essential. Olive oil is the godsend of life.”
“I love Canadian pizza,” admits Ferrucci. He continues with “But” because he knows it can be grander. “I am the only one in town with a 100-per-cent wood-burning oven. Oak and maple are the fuel. There is some wonderful variability, which leads to perfection. We have no rolling pins here.”
Extra flavour comes from the capriciousness of the embers. This is not industrial mass production.
“I measure carefully with a desired temperature of 550 to 600F… you need a little fire not just the heat and coals.”
Maybe there is some alchemy, because It sure tastes like magic.
With a background in business administration, Ferrucci understands how to run an organization, and he knows his way around a kitchen, too.
“I’ve been following this dream for years. These last two have been building toward this. Sudbury is hungry for what we offer now.”
Opening in the middle of a pandemic has been called bold and contrarian. Ferrucci laughs because he recognizes he is doing it all his way.
“I only do 12- and 15-inch sizes. It’s just what I believe works best. The Roma is one of our signatures, with sun-dried tomatoes and Calabrese salami with arugula and sweet chili sauce on top to finish. It is my personal favourite.”
What of other choices? The Mediterranean is a seafood pizza of scallops, shrimp, crab-meat.
“We get people calling back and saying it is the best they’ve ever tasted. Check the comments on Facebook. They finish and can’t wait for the next time.”
Add Let’s Eat Meat (essentially a meat lover’s with capicola, bacon, pepperoni Italian sausage and more) and to please everyone Vegetarian is on the menu also. Assembled with red onions, green peppers, mushrooms and sweet peppers.
”Of course, you can customize any to meet your preferences, (and) yes, I even have anchovies if you wish,” Ferrucci said.
But how is that initial bite? “Corn meal for the base creates texture and crunch. It is the first thing your tongue touches.” Seriously fantastic!
On Nov. 26, using Facebook and little else, Pizzeria Roma was opened with little fanfare, but high enthusiasm.
“We’ve come to the end of our supplies early some days. We have so many customers validating what we do well. Word of mouth means more than anything else in this industry.”
With Italian beverages, veal parmigiana or meatball sandwiches (and even a mouth-watering Porketta on New Year’s Day) the other options ensure Roma is fast becoming a homerun for Ferrucci.
Ferrucci insists I order The Godfather.
“The toppings intertwine with each other … Calabrese salami, Italian sausage, green peppers, mushrooms. I use strained Italian tomatoes and a proprietary blend of spices and herbs. Fresh basil is another key in what we do. Don’t forget the olive oil! Think European style meets New York. Wait for our Sicilian coming in the next month. I’m still perfecting it.”
Pizza is the perfect food to share. We know we can’t get together yet, but you can order two and do a surprise door delivery to a friend.
It is the spirit of the pie!
So let me ask you, whom do you want to share with?
Pizzeria Roma
1894 Lasalle Blvd. in the New Sudbury corridor at Lansing
Tel: (705) 222-7662 or 222-ROMA
Pre-ordering is a good suggestion
11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday
Hugh Kruzel is a committed foodie and a freelance writer in Greater Sudbury. Let’s Eat is made possible by our Community Leaders Program. Are you an advertiser? Learn more about our Community Leaders Program here.
