As a native New Yorker, I admit that I am a huge pizza snob! I have lived in many different cities, and have never seemed to find pizza that I have liked, except for New York Pizza. Well, my jet setters, that all changed this weekend. My brother-in-law, Pete, grew up in Connecticut and has always raved about how good the pizza is there. Being the snob that I am about pizza, I never really believed it, but was still intrigued to taste what he always talks about. Yesterday, Rich and I drove with his parents ... Read More »]]>

As a native New Yorker, I admit that I am a huge pizza snob! I have lived in many different cities, and have never seemed to find pizza that I have liked, except for New York Pizza. Well, my jet setters, that all changed this weekend. My brother-in-law, Pete, grew up in Connecticut and has always raved about how good the pizza is there. Being the snob that I am about pizza, I never really believed it, but was still intrigued to taste what he always talks about. Yesterday, Rich and I drove with his parents to New Haven, Connecticut to Frank Pepe’s Pizzeria Napoletana and I was amazed!!!

Frank Pepe’s is located on Wooster Street, which is often called the “Little Italy” street of New Haven.

Along this street you can find quite a few Italian restaurants, Pizzerias, and Pastry Shops. I had done a lot of reading about Pepe’s before we went and learned that there is often a long line outside. We lucked out, and only waited about 15 minutes before we got seated.

Pepe’s has been around since 1925, and cooks the original Tomato Pie. This is a pizza that only comes with tomato sauce and grated Parmesan cheese on top…oh my gosh…it was one of the best pizzas I have ever tried!

Their dough is thin, crunchy, crusty, a little sweet and very light. Mozzarella cheese is even considered a topping at Pepe’s, so we ordered one Tomato Pie, one pie with half mozzarella and half pepperoni, one with sausage, peppers & onions…

And one of their White Clam Pies… I also had read a lot about this pie, and it was delicious. If you are a clam lover, this is for you! It’s loaded with big clams, which gives it a nice salty bite. Almost every pizza that we saw coming out of their oven was a White Clam Pie…this is what they are famous for besides the Tomato Pie! Slice, after slice, and none of us could stop eating! Pete, I have to give it to you, New Haven has awesome pizza! I can’t believe it, but I am a New York Pizza Snob No More!

Written By, Lori McNally, Chic Galleria Magazine

A native of Greenwich, CT and graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, Eddie Ross began his career working in television, first as a food editor on Martha Stewart Living and later as Associate Design Director for all in-house production at Food Network.

After a two-year stint running his own catering company, where he continued to refine his skills in decorating and entertaining, Eddie made the move to publishing. As Associate Decorating Editor at House Beautiful, he produced the popular “Weekend Shopper,” a monthly article in which he’d travel to flea markets around the country, giving new life to old things.

As ... Read More »]]>

A native of Greenwich, CT and graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, Eddie Ross began his career working in television, first as a food editor on Martha Stewart Living and later as Associate Design Director for all in-house production at Food Network.

After a two-year stint running his own catering company, where he continued to refine his skills in decorating and entertaining, Eddie made the move to publishing. As Associate Decorating Editor at House Beautiful, he produced the popular “Weekend Shopper,” a monthly article in which he’d travel to flea markets around the country, giving new life to old things.

As the Senior Style Editor of Martha Stewart Living , Eddie continued to inspire readers with clever ways of integrating vintage furniture and objects into clean, classic design. From decorating and entertaining to food styling and flowers, Eddie produced consistently elegant stories that related to a variety of people’s tastes and budgets.

In 2008, after an appearance on season two of Bravo’s Top Design, Eddie left the publishing world to start a lifestyle company, along with partner Jaithan Kochar, a graduate of Stanford University and the Rhode Island School of Design. Based in upstate New York, Eddie Ross, Inc. offers styling services, guided flea market shopping trips, and vintage tabletop and giftware via Etsy. Together, they also produce a daily blog at eddieross.com with inspirational tips and information on how to decorate and entertain both beautifully and affordably.

In October 2009, Eddie appeared on the HGTV special Halloween Block Party in which he transformed the classic tale, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, into a beautiful, budget-friendly party to remember.

For those of you who watched HGTV’s Celebrity Holiday Homes a few weeks ago, Eddie did an incredible job decorating the home of Kathie Lee and Frank Gifford in Greenwich, CT.  Being a long time resident of Greenwich myself at one time, I couldn’t wait to contact Eddie to talk with him about his busy schedule.  While decorating and preparing for a holiday party at his home with partner, Jaithan Kochar, Eddie chatted with me about decorating the Gifford home in the middle of the summer.  The boats in the water and leaves on the trees gave that secret away.  We talked about the schools he attended in Greenwich and the time he spent in culinary school.  He also told me about upcoming projects and events in the works.  Most recently, Eddie is teaming with Larson-Juhl for a  Tea at Two framing workshop January 9 in Atlanta.

Eddie was kind and gracious and every bit the person you saw on the TV special. Thank you Eddie for multi-tasking during the holidays by  talking to me and preparing for a party at the same time.

Visit Eddie Ross at http://www.etsy.com/shop/eddieross and http://www.eddieross.com.

I now torture my own children with these morning greetings on their birthdays.  I’m not sure if they exactly appreciate it right now, but it’s ... Read More »]]>

Birthdays are special in my family.  As a child, my mom always greeted my birthday with a smile and a song.  Even now, my first phone call bright and early on my birthday is from my Dad.  I think he secretly always wants to be the first to wish me Happy Birthday.  This is preceded by my mom singing through the receiver at the top of her lungs.  Always a great way to start the day.

I now torture my own children with these morning greetings on their birthdays.  I’m not sure if they exactly appreciate it right now, but it’s my hope that deep down they do.  Teenagers have a way of scrunching up their faces in disgust even though they love the attention.  So this morning I’m excited to wish my wonderful son Austin a very Happy 20th Birthday! Since he’s been home for the holidays, he has reminded me every time I try to “mother” him that he is an adult.  “Mom, I’m 20 now!”, has been his response to my request to be careful on the icy roads, to go to bed before midnight and to stop eating so much junk food.

Austin was born on a very cold, snowy morning in Greenwich, Connecticut and it wasn’t exactly easy.  I won’t go into details, but let’s just it wasn’t a day in Binney Park.  My family had traveled to stay with me during the holidays and my mom often jokes that she thought she was going to have to “boil water” at Christmas Eve mass.  I was two weeks overdue already and my Jewish OBGYN just couldn’t help but tease me about a Christmas baby.  “I’m available that day!” he used to joke every time I’d make an office visit. He was so cute, I didn’t mind the harassment.  My husband’s birthday was the day after Christmas and he was hoping to share the day with his new son. However, both days past and no baby. My Dad and brother had to leave to get back to work in Oklahoma.  Mom stayed and kept me company until finally the doctor decided to start the process.

I spent several days at Greenwich hospital with Austin.  We watched the ball drop on New Year’s Eve from my hospital bed and I celebrated 1990 alone with my beautiful new baby.  I still remember it like it was yesterday.  Twenty years later, I wait for him to get up so I can greet him with a smile and song.  He has brought such joy to me these past 20 years!  Yes, he is an adult now, but he will always be my baby boy.  Happy Birthday Austin!