Big Apple pie comes to town

A fresh slice of New York City debuted in downtown Burbank on Monday, with the grand opening of N.Y.P.D. Pizza on South San Fernando Boulevard.

The pizza parlor and delicatessen promises an authentic New York-style restaurant experience, one that’s been transported to the West Coast by two natives of Queens, New York.

“It’s pizza with an attitude,” said New York Pizza Development President and Chief Operating Officer Paul Russo, who is also a record producer.

When Russo moved to Orlando, Fla., about 15 years ago, he noticed a lack of the kind of quality pizza that he was accustomed to in the Big Apple.

In 1996, Russo established New York Pizza Development with partner and fellow music-industry executive Lou Pearlman, and the two opened their first N.Y.P.D Pizza in Orlando.

After the overwhelming success of their Orlando location ? including nine-consecutive “Best Pizza in Town” honors from the Orlando Weekly ? Russo and Pearlman pursued franchising opportunities, which led them to open their first California restaurant in Burbank, Russo said.

N.Y.P.D Pizza is slated to open 15 more franchises in Southern California over the next three years, including one in Fullerton and one in Fontana, said George Grout, Burbank franchise co-owner and store manager.

Premium ingredients create the quality taste of N.Y.P.D.’s pizza, Grout said.

“This is the best pizza I’ve ever eaten ? either in New York or out of New York,” he said.

The pizzas are hand-tossed, topped with 100% mozzarella cheese and a special spiced tomato sauce, then baked in brick ovens.

In addition to 16 specialty pizzas on the menu, N.Y.P.D. Pizza boasts a full-service deli, including appetizers, soups, salads, calzones and hero sandwiches.

Russo expects N.Y.P.D. Pizza will become a strong presence in downtown Burbank.

“Our restaurants represent an era of days gone by as the neighborhood pizzeria with great food and an upbeat atmosphere,” he said. “We are not your typical cookie-cutter franchise.”

N.Y.P.D Pizza is open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. and offers dine-in, take-out, catering and delivery service throughout Burbank for a $1.50 surcharge.