This is my favorite pizza. I've been to Apizza Scholls, other idie pizza places, the chains, and other Pizzicato locations-- this is still my favorite by far. The dough has herbs or something incorporated into it, so it is better tasting than other pizza dough. It's a thin crust, but not cracker-like, baked evenly all the way across the pie so the center holds the toppings nearly as well as the crust edge. \r
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This location offers a variety of pies by the slice all day - not just during lunch hour like other locations. I've eaten at Murray Hill and PSU stores; the same food at this location just tastes better to me. Pizza and salads ingredients are fresh and ripe and high qulaity, the salad dressings offer great flavors, and the serving sizes are plentiful. \r
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The pizzas here run traditional to seasonal, but definitely gourmet combinations using locally-obtained ingredients. Lots of toppings and choices of sauces and cheese (or not) if you want to make your own combination, but the menu choices are all oustanding flavors. The fennel sausage they make is awesome. \r
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There are a range of beers and wine available, as well as a fairly wide assortment of other bottled beverages. \r
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Service isn't exceptional, but it's limited-- you order at the counter and someone brings your slice or pie when it's ready. Counter persons are always welcoming (if not exuberant), and the servers are polite and helpful.\r
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One caveat is that I've never been here during a typical lunch or dinner rush hour, so I don't know how well they handle crowds. The sound level is very good for this type of place. I'm hypersensitive to music and noise, and I can't tolerate a place whose music, both volume (loud) and selection (bizarre alternative/hip hop), caters to the cooks and servers rather than the customers. The background music here is truly in the background, as it should be.\r
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One other caveat - I've never personally had the panini, though friends I've brought here have and have expressed high levels of satisfaction with them. When you start with excellent ingredients, it's easy to turn out a great product. \r
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All in all, I highly recommend this particular Pizzicato location for a casual dining experience.
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