This column reports on exemplary offerings from area restaurants.
Last winter, when I saw that the Gold Fox had become the “Gold Fox Restaurant and House of Pizza,” I laughed. We tend to call them pizzerias in this country, so the name seemed a little out there, like finding “the House of Windsor” in Newburgh. Besides, since I’m first generation American, with Italian-born parents and pretty much olive oil in my veins, it was clear to me that a place with a knack for wings and beer should probably stick to wings and beer.
It was my husband who insisted we try the pizza, and Gold Fox, I am so sorry! This pizza, unbelievably, is excellent, a very European pizza with a thin crust that manages to achieve the holy grail of pizza crusts; it is both chewy and crunchy at the same time, with generous toppings that travel across most of the pizza real estate instead of leaving that huge pillow of white dough so many pizzas tend to sport around their edges. Gold Fox owner George Vlamis made the pizzas himself for the first six months and has now trained someone to take over the role. That first night I had the Greek and my husband had the Meat Lover’s. We have now been back a number of times to try others of their 14 flavors, which include Seafood, Buffalo Chicken, Veggie Lover’s, Eggplant and The White Vampire (lots of roasted garlic). They range from $6.95 to $12.95 for a 10” personal pie and from $13.95 to $22.95 for a large 18” pie, but during Happy Hour, from 3:00 to 7:00 Monday through Friday, all personal pizza’s are $7.00, and they often have “Super Specials” for takeout only, like a Large 18” one topping pizza, 12 wings and a two liter soda, all for $19.95.
And, by the way, they call it a ten inch pie but it’s actually a foot in diameter, and the so-called 18-inch is really 19 inches. More good news is that The Gold Fox Restaurant and House of Pizza offers free delivery on their full menu within a radius of seven miles, though they charge two dollars for delivery of orders under $20, and while they’re making all these big changes, they are also now serving a full breakfast menu every Saturday and Sunday from 7AM until noon.
Now, the Gold Fox’s ad says “Best Pizza on the Planet.” That’s a pretty indefensible claim, but they had to do something to get your attention, because this pizza deserves your attention. 600 Route 208, Gardiner (at Ireland Corners), 845-255-3700.