I mentioned in my last blog post (link here) that multiple blog posts are needed to cover our Purchased Pizza and Post Offices of 2022-23 season in Florida. This post continues the focus on the Sarasota/Venice, FL area.
The pizza reviewed are from Angelo’s Italian Market in Venice, FL.
- Full Purchased Pizza Table of 93 Pizzeria Reviews (click here).
But let me start with a Nebalatan Word of the Day and a quick Post Office Update.
Nebalatan Word of the Day
Stunad (pronounced – stoo-NAAD) – moron, crazy, idiot, (likely real Italian word – stonato)
- Used in context with Ma (Grandma Joanne)
- Me – “I think he’s a real asshole”
- Ma – “Ya, he’s stunad. Vafangoo!”
Stunad is one of several words with the same meaning. My guess, there are so many words in Nebalatan that mean “crazy person” because there are so many crazies, the Nebalatans needed a way to distinguish one from the other!
Arcada, FL Post Office – ONE OF MY ALL TIME FAVORITES
The Arcadia, FL is my favorite PO in FL (so far, but Gainesville is cool but no longer operating as a PO) and one of my favorites overall. It’s another stunning Louis Simon, WPA building from 1936.
Starting on the exterior, I’m not sure if the facade material is stone, solid concrete, or some concrete skin, but it’s texture and color provide an excellent contrast to the patinaed metalwork and white trimmed wood. The sconces adjacent to the front door and window barring are rare artisan metalwork. And the painted bald eagle above the door is a highlight!
The interior houses an incredible bass relief depicting ol’ time Orange Farming. What makes this artwork extra special and unusual is the Native American and women are shown at near eye level as the farmer (typically a white male in the day). This is not something one might expect in the south, especially at that time. Whereas much of the Northern WPA PO artwork depicts the white men over the Native Americans and women.
More Florida Purchased Pizza Reviews – 22-23 Season
- Full Purchased Pizza Table of 93 Pizzeria Reviews (click here).
Angelo’s Italian Market (website)- Venice, FL – 4/29/23
| Style | Rating | Go Back? | Dough | Sauce | Cheese | Presentation | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York | Good | Yes | very nicely cooked, a little bottom char (I wonder how with gas, slow cook oven) | very light | very good cheese taste despite the sausage, eggplant, and onions | craft box, generic, but high quality | We really love Angelo’s Rustica Pizza! Always consistently good, not great, although VERY expensive |
Angelo’s is our favorite genuine Italian joint in the Sarasota area. I frequently stop on my bike rides for espresso and a cornetto (Southern Italian croissant) and to talk Serie A calcio (soccer). Their food closely resembles what you find in Italy, although some changes have been made for the Italian-Americans that claim to be Italian but have never been to Italy!
When we order pizza, it’s usually their Rustica Pizza. Their pizza is New York-style in one concession to the Italian-Americans, but Emilio, the owner, when he emigrated from Sicily, started in a NY deli in CT. Overall, the experience of their friendly staff, mostly Italian immigrants too, is quite good, and we enjoy the Rustica’s distinctive flavors.
The crust stood out with its perfect cooking, exhibiting a slight char on the bottom. I’m curious about the technique used— especially since they employ a gas oven with a slow cooking process. The result was a crust that was light and crispy, complementing the toppings wonderfully.
Speaking of toppings, the Rustica includes sausage, eggplant, and onions. Even with those spicy toppings, the cheese taste still shone through. It blended well with the other ingredients, contributing to a delicious combination of flavors. The sauce, too, added to the overall appeal of the pizza, enhancing its taste without overpowering the other elements.
As for the presentation, the pizza arrived in a craft box, which gave it a somewhat generic appearance. However, the quality of the pizza itself was undeniably high. It showcased a perfect fusion of flavors and textures, making each bite a delightful experience.
Our past experiences with Angelo’s Rustica Pizza have been consistently good. Although we wouldn’t classify it as outstanding, it has never disappointed us. It’s worth noting that this delightful pizza comes at a price—it’s quite expensive. Despite the cost, we find ourselves returning to Angelo’s for their reliably delicious New York-style pizza.
In conclusion, if you’re willing to indulge in a high-quality pizza experience and don’t mind the price tag, Angelo’s Rustica Pizza is worth a visit. Its skillfully cooked crust, well-balanced toppings, and overall excellent taste make it a favorite among New York-style pizza enthusiasts.
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