18 JANUARY C R Y D E R P O I N T Raisin Salad The Pizza Club: A Fresh Start BY LIAM LA GUERRE When Alan Rabinowitz decided to open a pizzeria on Francis Lewis Boulevard in Flushing about eight months ago, he didn’t know the building he planned to open in had a dark reputation. Shortly after opening, he started to learn of rumors that the site, which was a pizzeria before, failed because the pizza was low quality and because residents saw shady characters lingering inside. “We really didn’t know how bad the reputation was,” Rabinowitz said. “But when we first opened up, people wouldn’t even walk in here. If I knew that, I wouldn’t have even opened here.” With that in mind, Rabinowitz and his business partner decided to introduce deals to appeal to customers and build new relationships in the community, such as giving free pizza to nearby Holy Cross High School when the football and basketball team wins games. Their specials have been successful so far and Rabinowitz said the restaurant has been breaking even in recent weeks. Like most pizzerias, The Pizza Club emphasizes the world-famous Italian specialty. Rabinowitz offers various toppings for a wide array of pizzas, such as Hawaiian pie with pineapple and ham or the penne alla vodka pie. The pizzas have flaky crust and are covered with a savory sauce and topped with fresh mozzarella. A regular 18-inch cheese pizza costs $15 on a normal day. But, on Mondays, anyone who orders an 18-inch pie between 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. will pay a price consistent with the time they called. Calling at 6:32 p.m. for example, would make the price just $6.32. It’s just one of The Pizza Club’s deals to appeal to more customers. THE COURIER/File photo The Scobee Diner site in Little Neck has been vacant since the beloved eatery closed in 2010. 18 cryder point courier | january 2014 | WWW.QUEENSCOURIER.COM “The line goes through the door,” Rabinowitz said. Besides normal slices, The Pizza Club offers squares, such as garlicky grandma slices and savory upside down pizzas, which are made by putting mozzarella on the dough first, followed by the sauce and a layer of sprinkled cheese. Then, there is the Pizza Club’s original treat; the pizza muffin. Using a cupcake pan, pizza dough is baked as it would be for a muffin, then layers of cheese, sauce and toppings, such as pepperoni or buffalo chicken, are added. It’s a unique look for a pizza, with a delicious and familiar taste. “You always have to be on top of the game and keep changing things up, especially at this location,” Rabinowitz said. And, for those not interested in pizza, the restaurant may have something for you too. The Pizza Club also offers salads, heroes, rolls, wings, wraps, baked ziti, and even Junior’s cheesecake, a delicacy from the well-known Brooklyn restaurant. SCOBEE A MEMORY Variance approved, facility planned BY MELISSA CHAN The city’s Board of Standards and Appeals (BSA) has approved a variance that would pave the way for a new building at the former Scobee Diner site in Little Neck. The variance gives new owner Lion Bee Equities permission to move the vacant restaurant’s parking lot to the back of the property, converting some spaces in a residential zone to commercial spots. Lion Bee Equities officials say the move, adopted by the BSA on December 10, will improve safety and decrease traffic near the 252-29 Northern Boulevard site. The variance was given the green light last summer by Community Board 11 and then-Queens Borough President Helen Marshall. Larger plans for the Great Neck-based company include demolishing the diner and transforming the site into a two-story mixed commercial and community facility with a CitiBank on the first floor and a dentist’s office on the second. There will be 17 parking spaces in the new lot, including one handicapped space. Scobee closed in 2010, when restaurant owners failed to reach agreement on purchasing the property from the landowners. The plans now go to the city’s Department of Buildings for review. The department recently approved permits for E. Gluck Corp., a Long Island City-based watch manufacturer, to move into the long vacant site of the former Leviton building along Little Neck Parkway, according to Community Board 11. DINING OUT THE PIZZA CLUB 718-281-0444 25-71 Francis Lewis Boulevard, Flushing, NY, 11358 Hours: 11am-9 pm, 7 days a week Free Delivery Wheelchair: Yes Take out: Yes Catering: Yes Credit Cards: Yes Pizza Muffins Upside Down Slice An array of offerings
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