Day 21, 2026: Keepers (W. Village, NYC)

exterior

DAY 21: OCTOBER 21st, 2026 

LOCATION: Keepers (34 8th Ave, New York, NY 10014)

GUEST(S): Ryan Ertrachter, Robin Rothman

ORDER: 2 slices of Classic NY, 2 slices of Vodka Chicky Parm (breaded chicken cutlets, vodka sauce, stracciatella), 1 slice of Spartichoke (spinach, artichoke)

REVIEW: 

More bar pie than bar.

Opened in the West Village in the middle of 2026 as an homage to barkeeps, Keepers opted to offer a full bar with a side of ultra-thin pizza. “Bar pies,” as they have come to be known, have been around for nearly a century, providing the necessary absorption to keep the drinks flowing. One thing Keepers didn't predict is just how popular these glistening pizzas would become. Thanks in large part to Instagram, these photogenic delicacies have outshined the impressive arsenal of customized Negronis on the menu. These hot pies are hotter than hotcakes!   

Despite being brand new, Keepers is packed every night and hasn't yet figured out how to handle all that popularity. Expect a wait and don't be surprised if the estimated time is a bit inaccurate. The primarily young professionals come for the pizza and stay for the clamorous yet vibrant vibes. Perhaps the trend pendulum is starting to swing back from thick Detroit-style to the thin bar pie, and Keepers just happens to be churning out some of the best-tasting versions of it in the city.   

I recommend bringing a guest and having the two of you order a classic pie alongside one of their handful of unique signatures. You can't go wrong with either the chicken-and-vodka-sauce-topped Vodka Chicky Parm or the spinach-and-artichoke-layered Spartichoke. It's a marvel to watch so many pizzas being made in such a tiny prep station, though it certainly helps that the tortilla-flat dough bases are prepped offsite. Given their lack of heavy girth, Keepers' bar pies are surprisingly filling and guilt-free at the same time!   

 

PHOTOS:

Slice of Vodka Chicky Parm

Classic NY pie

Vodka Chicky Parm pie

cross section of a slice

underside

Day 21

slice of Spartichoke

Spartichoke pie

the bar

dining area

VIDEO:

coming soon

MISCELLANEOUS:

Sean Taylor, Ryan Ertrachter, Robin Rothman

1. Ryan Ertrachter has sustained multiple concussions from being flung off horses.

2. Robin Rothman rides her Citibike everywhere. Ask her about her collapsible helmet she keeps in her purse.

3. After pizza, Ryan Ertrachter, Robin Rothman and I went across the street for gelato at Gentile and now I want to finish every meal there.

RATING:

 4.05/5

• VALUE:
   3/5


• AMBIENCE:
   2.5/3


• TASTE:
   9/10


• SERVICE:
   2.5/3

17/21 = .810 x 5 = 4.05

Day 20, 2026: Aria Nova Pizzeria (W. Village, NYC)

exterior

DAY 20: OCTOBER 20th, 2026 

LOCATION: Aria Nova Pizzeria (190 Bleecker St, New York, NY 10012)

GUEST(S): Russ Feder, Jon Monje

ORDER: 1/2 slice of Vodka Arrabbiata Pizza (Spicy vodka sauce, fresh mozzarella, Calabrian chili, basil), 1/2 slice of Aria Nova (Marinara), 1/3 slice of Big Mac (ground beef, cheddar, sliced pickles, sesame seeds, and our special dressing), 1/3 slice of Grandma (tomatoes, basil, olive oil, mozzarella), 1/3 slice of Grandma with pepperoni (San Marzano tomatoes, cheddar crust, cup-and-char pepperoni, burrata mozzarella, basil), 1/3 slice of cheese, 1/3 slice of Pesto Margherita (Homemade pesto, San Marzano tomatoes, burrata & fresh mozzarella, basil), 1/3 slice of Truffle Mushroom

REVIEW: 

New air to old classics.

Italian for "New Air," Aria Nova brings a refreshingly new take on signature New York slices in this cozy West Village nook where Bleecker Street meets MacDougal. You're going to want to get one of each, starting with the Vodka Arrabbiata—easily the spiciest slice of pizza I have ever eaten. The fresh mozzarella and cream within the vodka sauce do what they can, but nothing is cutting the serious zip of the Calabrian chili and crushed red pepper. Meanwhile, the traditional Margherita and authentic grandma square come equipped with a generous amount of tomato sauce, extra virgin olive oil, freshly cut basil, and no less than three different cheeses.

Everything here is top-notch, though being located right in the center of one of the hippest parts of the city means these premium ingredients do come at a premium price. Bring a full wallet—and make sure your bladder is empty before you arrive, because there are no public restrooms on-site. Nearby residents are in luck, though, as they can easily order pies to-go and toss them in the oven to crisp them back up at home. At the end of the day, my favorite part of visiting Aria Nova is knowing that the staff genuinely loves the craft of pizza making, and that passion is apparent in every delicious bite.

PHOTOS:

sandwich board with Beer deals

underside

day 20

underside and cross-section of slice

Big Mac slice

divvied up slices to share

large pie, half Aria Nova, half Vodka Arrabbiata

Slice of Grandma with Pepperoni

slice of Big Mac

Slice of Pesto Margherita

slice of Grandma

Slice of cheese

slice of Mushroom Truffle

all the slices

menu

interior

beer selection

other slice/calzone slice options

slice options

VIDEO:

coming soon

MISCELLANEOUS:

Sean Taylor, Russ Feder, Jon Monje

1. Russ Feder and I are die-hard Mets fans but don't wish it on anyone else. It's a rollercoaster ride every season and tends to lead to an unhappy ending.

2. Jon Monje owns more Wo Hop T-shirts than the company sells!

RATING:

 3.88/5

• VALUE:
   3.5/5


• AMBIENCE:
   2/3


• TASTE:
   8.5/10


• SERVICE: N/A

14/18 = .778 x 5 = 3.88