Yes, I am back with another pizza write-up right here in New Jersey. Coming from America’s headquarters for pizza, Brooklyn, there is no better food than the glorious marriage of doe, tomato sauce and melted mozzarella.  

Here are two places–SQR Artisan Pizza and Annabella II–I visited in Union and Morris counties that I really enjoyed. 

Buon appetito, pizza lovers. 

SQR Artisan Pizza — 35 Union Pl., Summit, N.J.

Opened approximately two years ago, SQR Artisan Pizza, as you probably already guessed, does not make round slices. But what it does is create a delicious variety of pan- crafted, thin-crusted pizza (the crust goes through a 72-hour fermentation process), from its Tomato Pie (whole milk and fresh mozzarella, parmigiano, basil, olive oil, topped with crushed tomatoes) to the Margarita (crushed tomatoes, fresh mozzarella and basil) and the White Pie (fresh mozzarella, ricotta and extra virgin olive oil), it is all lip-smacking tasty.

We had the Margarita and Melanzana–crushed tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, artichokes (instead of broccoli), mushrooms, kalamata olives. Crispy crust, savory sauce, and a wonderful blend of fresh ingredients formed a symphony of awesomeness.

And the Margarita was just as splendid, as the mozzarella and basil worked so harmoniously well together.

SQR Pizza also serves gluten-free options, for people with gluten intolerances and sensitivities, but make sure to ask if the pizza is baked in a separate oven. You do not want any cross contamination. It can cause a measure of gastric issues.

Annabella’s II — located at 401 Speedwell Avenue. Morris Plains, N.J.

I usually have a steadfast rule of not purchasing pizza right as a place is closing. You don’t always get its best pizza, as it’s usually the leftovers, which was probably sitting there for some time. 

But I couldn’t resist a hankering for some cheesy goodness from Annabella’s II, a pizza joint I had not eaten at in the past. So, I ordered three offerings: sausage, white, and square (I was not a vegetarian at the time).

Hey, I was hungry, but I digress. 

Annabella’s Pizza II crafted the sausage slice with the meat baked right into it, just the way I like it. While the pizza did droop a bit, the fact that the sausage abounded, caused the extra weight to make the pizza flop. But, overall, it was a tasty slice. 

Next, the white slice was up to the task, made with quality mozzarella and creamy ricotta, with the crispy crust complementing the pizza. 

Last but not least was the Sicilian-Style (square) delight, which checked off all the boxes for flavorsome pizza. Delicious cheese, just the right amount of doe, and the same savory sauce used on the other varieties reminded me of a Brooklyn square. 

I will have to visit Anabella’s II during a busier time when the pizza is piping hot-out-of-the-oven, mouth-watering ready to enjoy. Plus, to sample its other Italian specialties. 

Please visit Anabella’s II other location at 329 Smith Road in Parsippany. For more information, check out eatatannabellas.com and on Facebook. 

– Jerry Del Priore