When you think “Casino Royale,†you think James Bond, right? After a visit to Pinocchio in Pound Ridge that just might change.
The Casino Royale is Pinocchio’s pizza version of Clams Casino — a crispy pie topped with baby clams, slab bacon, tomatoes, white wine, garlic and roasted red peppers. It’s just like the clams appetizer at your favorite checkered-clothed Italian restaurant — only better. A lot better. So good, in fact, that the Casino Royale won the top award for best seafood pizza in the 2008 North Atlantic Pizza Show.    Â
And that’s not the only award Pinocchio has to its name. Bruno DiFabio, who owns Pinocchio, Amore Pizza in Scarsdale and two branches of Pinocchio Pizza in Connecticut, is the 2009 U.S. champion, a six-time World Pizza champion, and he won the Best Traditional Pizza medal at the 2010 World Games at the Las Vegas Pizza Expo. (Yes, there is such a thing.)?   Â
He has 16 medals in all, and has appeared on “Rachael Ray†and “The Today Show.†As if that wasn’t enough, this year, Food & Wine magazine named his restaurant on the West Coast, Tony’s Pizza Napoletana, one of the best new Italian spots in the country.   Â
Royale, indeed!   Â
Their secret to the crispiest crust is in the special rotating oven designed for them.  The continuously rotating tables inside the convection-like oven that is run at about 500 degrees, enables the crust to evenly cook to a nice crunch.  We also enjoyed the sugary Zeppoli for a warm and special treat on a cold day.   Â
There are other locations where you can try Pinocchio’s Pizza, but here, we love that they deliver. All locations are run by family members who take pizza very seriously. In Westchester, Amore in Scarsdale, and in Connecituc, just over the border try, Pinocchio’s in New Canaan or Stefano’s Pizza in Wilton.   Â
69 Westchester Ave., Pound Ridge, 914-764-4500Â Â Â Â Â
— Donna Monaco Olsen    Â
