Pizza Quest
by Quinn O’Callaghan

For a long time I’d wanted to go on a Dutchess County pizza adventure, sampling pizzas from towns across the area.My friend Ned was going to drive me about Dutchess, and we went into the ordeal thinking that we were going to have a magical, fun-filled adventure through Pizzaland.

Our hopes were cut short after our first stop. An acquaintance in Rhinebeck had suggested that on our trip we try out a particular pizza place in Hyde Park. The dining room was cold, my slice of pizza long and eerily white, and not crispy. Another place in Poughkeepsie served hot but pedestrian pizza and was unwelcoming—and had the TV tuned to a loud kids’ show instead of Sunday’s NFL pre-game.

Thankfully, eating at Bacio’s, near Vassar in Poughkeepsie, was a different story.The place was calm, restful and well lighted.The pizza came quickly, delivered by a cheerful waitress.Our slices were artful, with a thin, crispy crust. Most importantly, the slices of pepperoni on Ned’s slice were real, andthe atmosphere friendly. Bacio’s is definitely a good place to enjoy a slice of pizza, take your family to dinner, or break up with your girlfriend over a nice, moderately priced meal.

After our adventures farther south, we returned to more familiar ground. Village Pizza is Red Hook’s pizza epicenter. At this point in my life I may not be able to recite my social security number from heart, but I can draw you a pretty accurate diagram of Village Pizza. This establishment was the ultimate recipient of most funds given to me on my confirmation and 15th and 16th birthdays.Village almost always has Bruce Springsteen on the radio, which leads me to associate him immediately with pizza, rather than working-class rock ‘n’ roll.My slice was in my hands within three minutes.The sauce was tangy, without the taste of any particular spice, and the cheese was yellow, gooey and plentiful. My only negative comment is that I left my mitten on the table.

Palatine Pizza is a very solitary, little pizza place in far off Germantown and when we arrived, I immediately started drafting up new names.“Anchorage Joe’s Pizza Outpost” was my favorite.All the business was handled by one very smiley young woman.The eating area itself was tiny and hazy and wooden, and made me feel so comfortable I could have taken anap.The slice was vast, with a nice stringy cheese and a heavy, but palatable note of oregano. Yeah, Palatine is quaint, but they make a good slice of pizza.

When we entered Salvatore’s in Red Hook and took a seat, I felt welcome. Sal’s is my favorite place for a slice.No alien aromas, the TV was displaying the Ravens-Patriots game, my slice of pizza betrayed a taste of citrus, and the mozzarella was flavorful. Home is where your slice is, I suppose.