Flash back to summer 2010.  Mozzarelli’s and I were acquaintances then, their frequent free pizza samples were the highlight on my 15 minute walk home from the subway.  The food was nothing special, in fact the only thing that set them apart from the other pizza joints littering 23rd street was a sign advertising gluten-free products.

Flash forward to November 2010 and my diagnosis.  That sign carried a whole new weight.  Mozzarelli’s was the first establishment I knew of in New York City that sold gluten-free products.  One day, when the fridge was empty and I was in need of a quick, inexpensive meal, I called Mozzarrelli’s to place an order for a pie.  Not only did they not deliver to my apartment even though the boundaries were less than a block away, their prices were outrageous.  I hung up the phone, swore that I’d never give them business, and never looked back.

Flash forward again to Tuesday.  I was on my way to my food writing course at the Institute of Culinary Education on 23rd street (more on that later) and needed a quick bite to eat -what better than a slice of pizza?  Even though it pained me slightly, I bit the bullet and bought a $4.95 slice of gluten-free artichoke and spinach pizza from Mozzarelli’s.  I was hoping to be transported back to the time before gluten-free when I tasted the most unusual but delicious combination of foods at Artichoke Pizza.  I wanted so much for this slice to be creamy garlicky goodness, but it fell seriously short.  Mozzarrelli’s artichoke and spinach pie looks like the famous 14th street midnight snack, but that’s where the similarities end.  My pizza was lukewarm and bland.  The only flavor that came through was the slight bitterness of the spinach and artichoke, which was overcooked. The cheese was a confusing mixture of mozzarella and mystery dairy product.  The only good thing about this pizza was the crust, was was in fact, great.  It was crisp on the edges and firm in the middle, without a trace of xanthan-gum’s trademark bitter aftertaste.  A great gluten-free crust is nothing to sneeze at.  Had the flavor and toppings been better on my slice, this pizza could have been magnificent.

Was I disappointed?  Yes.  Was it a bad experience?  No.  Mozzarelli’s is perfect for the gluten-free New Yorker who desperately misses being able to simply, grab a slice of pizza.  I am that New Yorker and if you are too, Mozzarelli’s is your pizza joint.  Heck,  I’ll probably even return to sample another mediocre  slice just for the novelty.

How about you?  Do you miss participating in the quintessential New York eating experience?  Would you eat mediocre pizza just to relive it?