Pizza at Mario’s #TBT

It was still my first week in Albuquerque when I got my first taste of good pizza in a while.

As earlier noted on this blog, finding decent pizza in Bacolod City is a rarity—of course, as pointed out in “Quality pizza in Bacolod City?,” Cafe Saira, located in the Eroreco section of town, was an exception. However, just knowing we were having pizza, I was already certain it would be better than what most of my hometown had to offer.

The plan was to hit up Mario’s for dinner, an Albuquerque staple since 1972, which now boasts four locations across the city. The restaurant was founded by Mario and Anna Burgarello, a couple of Brooklynites who vacationed in Albuquerque and fell in love with the area as the climate was said to remind them of their native Sicily.

The original restaurant was called Mario and Joe’s Restaurant, which, according to their website: [Used] Mama Anna’s “made from scratch” old family Sicilian Recipes.

Started the meal with a glass of Elephants on Parade, a beer produced by the Bosque Brewing Company, a local microbrewery with taprooms in Albuquerque, Bernalillo, and Las Cruces; along with a public house opening soon along Eubank Boulevard.

The wheat ale is described as “packed with raspberry puree and colored with a Sandia sunset.” Thoroughly enjoyed the subtle sweetness, which made it a really refreshing brew.

While in New Mexico, I made an effort to try as many local brews as possible and this was definitely a favorite.

Now, back to the food.

For me, it’s difficult to visit an Italian restaurant without ordering calamari. It was one of the first things I looked for once I began perusing the menu.

The calamari was served freshly fried with a nice, crisp batter and a delicious marinara sauce.

When it comes to the pizza, Mario’s offers over 20 different pies, along with a “Create Your Own” option. All of their pizzas are “hand-tossed” and “New York style.” They also range in size from 12 inches to 26 inches.

Another go-to with regard to pizza, particularly if it’s the first time visiting a place, is ordering their meatiest pie. I went with the mega meat.

The pizza was delicious. Covered in heaps of pepperoni, Italian sausage, ham, seasoned beef, and meatballs—along with a nice crust—this was definitely one to savor.

Once dinner was over, I headed over to the area that immediately caught my eye upon entering the restaurant: the gelato stand.

Walking up and down the display case, trying to figure out the flavor I was craving, there was one that jumped out at me. With its brilliant blue hue, I went with the birthday cake gelato.

It was sweet and creamy, and a perfect end to the meal.

The quality food is precisely why Mario’s has lasted so long in New Mexico. I only wish I was able to visit again to give their other offerings a try.

Gelato in Rome

During a walking tour of Rome, the group stopped at the Trevi Fountain for lunch. After enjoying a stromboli for lunch at a small spot a couple blocks down from the fountain, stopped at Gelateria Cecere on the way back for gelato.

Walking into the tiny establishment, which occupied the corner of a building, customers are greeted with a wide freezer display with heaps of flavors, along with a backdrop of multicolored cups – a different color for each size.

Seeking out which flavor was calling, went with the pistacchiosa – it was not the standard pistachio. Beyond the creamy texture of the gelato, the delicious pistachio taste, and the sprinkling of chopped pistachios, there was also a ribbon of pistachio spread that snaked through the scoops.

It was the kind of thing that could potentially swear one off the typical pistachio.

According to a TripAdvisor review, “The pistachio gelato is unlike any I have ever had and, believe me, it is my favourite dessert.”