Mr.Pizza's Distinguished Guest

While I was at Santillo's pizza in Elizabeth, who should walk in but my pal Alan Richman, the most decorated food writer in the world...

Most decorated food writer in the world?

Yup, 14 James Beard Journalism awards and a National Magazine Award. They should name the Beard honor for Richman at this point.

Anyway, ever since Richman named America's Best Pizzas in an issue of GQ last year (but named none in NJ), I have been after him to visit Al Santillo. Lo and behold, he finally made it, on a spring Saturday.

There I am with my wife and son, chatting with Santillo, and who should walk in, with a young lady friend, but Richman.

Small world. Big pizza.

Richman loved Santillo, and dug the pizza as well. To get the great man's take on the great pizza, "The Far Side of the Hudson," click this link:

http://www.gq.com/blogs/the-q/2010/04/the-far-side-of-the-hudson.html

That's Richman interviewing Santillo at left.