photos courtesy of cell phone technology

HHP Review: FERRARO’S PIZZERIA & PUB (3 glasses)

The first DNA Happy Hour of 2011 was at a place most probably didn’t even realize was open - Ferraro’s Pizzeria & Pub, in the Pinch District in the location where the High Point Pinch had a long and successful run. Excuse us if you will, but when we drink we tend to wax nostalgic about, well, once popular bars that have fallen victim to progress, changing times, and, in some cases, just bad business practices. The excuse we claim for this short diversion is that it is history - this is an educational endeavor. Back in the day, before South Main, even before Beale Street really took off, aside from Sleep out Louie’s [R.I.P.] the happy hour (and later) destination was often the Pinch District - The North End [Westy’s], Mulligans’ [Mulligan’s], and the hot spot - the High Point Pinch. The High Point started as a local pub in Highpoint Terrace, opened the small bar in the early to mid 80's, and soon expanded into the back room, where bands played most weekend nights, often to a packed house. There were also one or two street parties a year with live bands and, this is the truth, crowds in the four figures. It was a happening place.

Then things happened elsewhere; bars opened all over Downtown, the Pyramid closed, and The Pinch was pretty much abandoned. The High Point changed hands and the low point came in the summer of 2009 when it was shut down as a public nuisance by the MPD Organized Crime Unit. Seems that the police were called to the premises some 23 times in the preceding year, and undercover officers bought drugs at least six times and observed drug use by customers and employees. But Jake Schorr has persevered at Westy’s and Mulligan’s has managed to hang on, hopefully for better things to come. We look forward to the day when North Main is once again closed off for one wild and crazy St. Patty’s Day street party.

In the meantime Andrea Ferraro has opened a nice little Italian restaurant serving “east coast” Italian and New York style pizza. Picture Tony Soprano folding over a piece and stuffing it in his mouth. The layout, including bar, is the same as the old High Point, and it is very casual. They offer a nice selection of imported beers and they are all $1 off at happy hour. However, be forewarned that they do not have a liquor license - so martini drinkers should look elsewhere. On the other hand, you can bring your own wine and there is no corkage fee - a huge savings in these days of $8/glass wine. Oh, and our waitress was easy on the eyes - always a happy hour plus.

But the highlight of the evening had to be the biggest pizza ever seen in these parts. We’re talking manhole cover here. 28 inches. If I remember high school geometry right, that’s over 615 square inches; that’s in excess of 4 1/4 square feet! You picture it in your mind but when half the kitchen staff brings it out it is a shocking sight to behold. Everyone in the place was gawking in disbelief; this is not just pizza - it’s a fun event to experience and tell stories of. And, it was excellent pizza to boot. Five of us shared it, getting half meat and half veggie, and at around $35, it was a mega deal too. You’ve got to get some people together and try this out.

We had a great time at Ferraro’s but it hasn’t caught on as a happy hour location quite yet. Venture out from your usual places and give this place a chance because it has HH potential.  

- Bill Denton