Taste The 518: Blu Pizza at City Beer Hall

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Happy Tuesday, Capital District! Today, we’re taking you to Albany’s City Beer Hall for Neapolitan-style pizza that’s the chef’s kiss 🤌 And a historic 1866 townhouse in Center Square is our Home of the Week 🏡 

Let’s dish it up 🍕 

—Phat X. Chiem & Karley Sullivan

Taste The 518: Blu Pizza at City Beer Hall

Zane Cacace has always been something of a wandering spirit. The Westchester County native has lived in LA and Denver. He spent months traveling across America by car, then abroad in Southeast Asia, finally landing in Italy.

In Milan, he met an Italian girl—of course. Zane not only fell in love, he also developed a passion for Neapolitan pizza. The couple befriended the owner of a pizzeria who let Zane apprentice in the restaurant for a few months. He picked up pizza making in Denver, but in Milan, he would learn the secrets of this classic style of Italian pizza.

Lucky for us, Zane’s wanderlust didn’t stop him from moving back to New York, where he’s now slinging pies as head pizzaiola at Blu Pizza.

Blu Pizza is operating as the new popup concept at Albany’s City Beer Hall, which is ending its longtime free pizza-with-beer offer to make way for Zane’s artisan creations. Zane is a childhood friend of the City Beer Hall owners.

Last week, The 518 was invited to a private tasting at Blu Pizza. Let me tell you: Zane makes a mean pie. His pizza is a combination of Neapolitan and New York styles. After a 48-hour fermentation process, the dough is pushed into a 650-degree oven for 5-6 minutes. What comes out is glorious: Thin, NY-style slices with crispy-charred edges that are not soggy in the middle, and topped with a perfect balance of cheese and sauce. It’s so simple, yet profound in the way the clean, bright sauce and premium ingredients pop in your mouth.

“The sauce is very stripped down,” says Zane, 32. “I wanted a very tomato-forward flavor without a lot of additives like dried basil or sugar. It’s just tomato ground with salt.”

Zane cares deeply about elevating the pizza experience (not coincidentally, his great-grandfather opened an East Harlem pizzeria after arriving from Italy). His pies are paired with a side of house-made garlic confit and a particular brand of artisan pepper flakes that he discovered in Denver. These pizzas are a far cry from the restaurant’s previous bar-food version (now available only after 10 pm on Friday and Saturday).

Blu Pizza’s signature pizza is topped with Gorgonzola cheese, but it’s not overly assertive and nicely balanced. There are also basic cheese and pepperoni versions, and Zane will be experimenting with seasonal ingredients like pear, arugula and walnuts.

This “Eat, Pray, Love” story has a happy ending. That Italian girl? Yep, they’re still together. Zane hopes to bring his girlfriend to America soon. (Wanna see a photo of Zane? Check out our Instagram post!)

The deets: Blu Pizza at City Beer Hall, 42 Howard St, Albany. Wed-Sat, 4-9p. Pizzas starting at $15. Includes a free pint of beer! That, my friend, is a bargain.

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🍽️ Restaurant Roundup: Good eats are coming! Suwun Thai Home Cooking opened this week in the former Cuckoo’s Nest spot in Albany’s Pine Hills neighborhood. By mid-October, local cafe favorite Uncommon Grounds will expand to the Empire State Plaza concourse, filling the former Au Bon Pain space and joining another Capital foodie favorite, Herbie’s Burgers. Finally, in November, Roy Rojas’ restaurant group will open La Polleria Peruvian Rotisserie at 216 Lark Street in Albany, and Las Margaritas Mexican Cantina at 710 Loudon Road in Latham [Times Union]

💰️ Did you know that over 60% of Albany’s properties are tax-exempt? The city is currently contesting a 20-year-old agreement with Avila Retirement Community, which exempts the nonprofit senior living facility from paying full property taxes for 99 years. While Avila markets itself as a “premier” retirement community, the tax exemption was originally intended for organizations that provide housing for low-income individuals. It is unclear how much Avila charges per month, but there are no below market units offered at their facility. Meanwhile, Avila residents are worried that a tax increase will mean higher rents. [Times Union]

🐇 In Albany, Troy and nearby areas, we’re seeing more rabbits and guinea pigs roaming free. The rise in abandoned pets is common during what animal rescue groups call the "dump season," as many rabbits are bought or adopted around Easter and then left behind when they start being able to have babies of their own. Don’t buy bunnies unless you really want to keep ‘em, folks. [Times Union]

This historic townhome in Center Square blends Old-World charm with modern touches. The bright, open-concept living space features stunning exposed brick across all three levels, and a vaulted ceiling with skylight. The kitchen boasts a new counter-depth Frigidaire stainless steel refrigerator, range with hood, and a new Maytag washer and dryer. Sliding doors lead to a deck overlooking a serene, garden-like backyard.

With ample storage, walk-in closets, and the potential for a third bedroom, this gem of a home offers both character and versatility. Plus, the location is unbeatable—just a short walk to Washington Park and all the hotspots on Lark Street.

The deets: 2 bd, 2 ba, 1800 sf. Asking: $339,000. Days on market: 6. See the full listing here.

🎟️ WHAT’S HAPPENING

Note: Our full weekend roundup publishes on Thursdays. Check your inboxes!

🎵 Jelly Roll performs tonight the MVP Arena. Doors open at 5:30 pm. Tix are still available.

🌮 Queer Men’s Taco Tuesday in Hoosick Falls features damn good tacos, live music after 7 pm, and darts downstairs.

🍻 On Wednesday, it’s Oktoberfest at the Empire State Plaza. Expect traditional German foods, authentic music, a stein-holding contest, and vendors! 10a-2p, free. Also: Wolff’s Biergarten in Albany is throwing its 2024 Oktoberfest on Saturday.

😂 The Van Dyck Music Club in Schenectady kicks off its inaugural Capital Region Funniest Comic competition on Wednesday [News10]

🌃 On Friday, get out to Troy Night Out when downtown businesses stay open late. Then at 8 pm, head over to RPI for a very cool drone show in honor of the college’s bicentennial! The show is free, but you must RSVP.

🎃 On Saturday, the 9th Annual Saratoga Giant PumpkinFest is your chance to see some ginorous gourds. Downtown Saratoga, 10a-3p, free.

🎣 Saturday is Free Fishing Day in NY State, which means you can fish without a license.

🍎 On Sat and Sun, the 30th Annual Capital Apple & Wine Festival takes place in Chatham. Tix are $17 online, $22 at gate; children under 17 free.

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