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Matt Compton, co-owner of Arb Pizza answers the phone. Someone wants to know if his pizza is true new york pizza. "I'll tell you what," he exclaims. "If you don't like it, come back here, throw on the floor and I'll make you new one."
Welcome to The Arb Pizza Cafe, Studio City's newest sidewalk pizza joint on Ventura Blvd. near Laurel Canyon a few doors down from Laurel Tavern. In the two weeks since it's been open, it has already gained notoriety on Yelp (six reviews, all with five stars).
This is quality greasy pizza, the way it should be. Co-owner and cook Paul Gabrys is from Bushwick in Brooklyn, near the border of Queens. He came out here five years ago and began working in production for the History Channel with Compton, who is from Ann Arbor, Michigan (get it, Arb Pizza?). But he always wanted to open a pizza joint so seven "long" months ago they began working towards opening a restaurant.
And here they are, already impressing New Yorkers, they say. "When you get good feedback from them, that's when I think you know we're on to something," Compton said. "I mean, when they come back and when they say, 'listen, that's the closest thing to a real New York Pizza you can get, that's when you know you're on to something."
Part of what may impress foodies is not just the great crust, but Gabrys' choice of cheese. To him, there are only certain styles of shredded of cheese that belong on pizzas. If you can't find that, then why open a pizza place?
Slices run $3 with 14-inch pies starting at $14.99. But if you want the true thin crust, get the 18-inch (starts at $16.99). They also have garlic knots, sandwiches (they make the bread) and potato chips, all homemade at Arb.
