Growing up, my parents were strict about our meals. We were required to eat two vegetables each night, with at least one of them being green, and we couldn't leave the table unless we had gulped down a glass of milk. But every Friday night, we would get a pizza and a two-liter bottle of soda, and my brother and I were allowed to pick out one movie each at the Blockbuster next door to the pizza place.
Things haven't changed too much since then. I've swapped the soda for red wine and can now stream my movies with the click of a button. It's remarkable how a slice of cheesy, crusty goodness can be so gratifying.
In our cover feature, Slices of Heaven (page 38), we highlight the 20 best pizzas in town. From thick, Chicago-style deep dish to thin-as-a-cracker crust topped with the works, we've covered the pizza gamut. There are yummy vegetarian options, too, like the Squash Blossom pizza served at Vivo 53. Writer Celestina Blok spent weeks visiting all 20 establishments to ensure the pizzas were up to the hype they receive. Being a fitness instructor, luckily those extra calories didn't do her any damage.
Approximately 3 billion pizzas will be sold in the U.S. this year, with each American eating an average of 46 slices (23 pounds). We implore that you let 20 of those slices be from the local joints found in this issue.
