Half Full moves over while Patty’s moves in
The bad news about the original Half Full Pizzeria on Market Street in Lewes was that the entire restaurant - including kitchen, bathrooms, everything - was only 500 square feet. That’s about four medium-sized walk-in closets. The good news about the original Half Full Pizzeria on Market Street in Lewes was that the entire restaurant - including kitchen, bathrooms, everything - was only 500 square feet. People loved it! And owners Matt DiSabatino, Ian Crandall and their wives knew it. So the challenge was to create a more technically manageable Half Full that still had the same “feel.” Last week’s shakedown dinner party was proof positive that they had accomplished that very thing.
The more manageable Half Full is just around the corner, facing Second Street, where Bank and Second streets meet. And it’s conveniently adjacent to Matt and Ian’s other Lewes eatery, Kindle. When I first walked into the new Half Full, I was transported back to the old location: same wall color, same tchotchkes on the walls, similar tables and seating … except that it seemed just a bit … bigger. In reality, the dining room of the new restaurant is about the same size as the entire old one. Nice work! (I respond well to optical illusions.)
But wait - there’s more! In addition to an increase in breathing and eating room, their built-from-scratch kitchen can now put out a greater variety of items. Not only are the popularly rectangular pizzas still on the menu, but Matt and Ian are now offering a selection of fresh salads and soups. I had the pleasure of hijacking a Romp Through The Garden salad from a passing server (no servers were harmed during this process) and, in spite of the menu’s crowing that it was vegan the gluten free, it was quite good! The stars of the show were the pickled green beans, the broccolini and a particularly bracing roasted tomato vinaigrette. You can also choose from the Not Your Average Caesar, the All American (granny smiths and spicy toasted pecans do the heavy lifting on this one) and a cold board with sopressata, Kalamatas and some tasty cheeses.
I was also lucky enough to snag a couple of the little bowls of soup. The Roasted Tomato with Tarragon and the Curried Cauliflower were both spectacular. I didn’t get any of the chowder, but I am prepared to return in order to try that - just for you. See the sacrifices I make for my readers?
All 13 pizzas remain on the menu, and you can select from 28 (count ‘em - 28) different toppings. My favorite from the original Half Full is the Mushroom Basil and the Midnight Moon (named after the tangy chevre that graces the pie).
Another thing I love about Half Full is that they use sopressata as a topping rather than pepperoni. No offense to pepperoni - it has served me well over the years - but the thinner sopressata has a more intense taste and crisps up in the oven. The new Half Full is open Sunday through Thursday from 4 ‘til 10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday ‘til 11.
By the way, I had the pleasure of breaking the news last week that the old Half Full will not be empty for very long. The delightful Patty Jacobs from Patty’s Carryout in Georgetown will be turning that spot into her second location! And believe it or not, in spite of the diminutive size, she will have more sit-down dining space than her existing store on S. Bedford Street between 16 Mile Brewery and the Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles. Patty’s, Half Full and Lewes: A marriage made in foodie heaven.
Bob Yesbek is a serial foodie and can be reached at byesbek@CapeGazette.com.
