Creators of Lucali BYGB—the name that was once the hottest topic in town—has opened a new eatery inspired by the iconic New York pizzerias. Proper Slice BYGB is the latest hole-in-the-wall concept right along the crook of a back alley in Telok Ayer, serving up bigger-than-palm-sized pizza slices
Just spot the bright orange acrylic sign at the back alley of Amoy Street, with a few awkward high wooden tables gracing the apprehensive space.
I’ll admit I made the mistake of visiting during noon, where the sun blazed down so intensely, it could almost fry an egg. Pro tip: head down when the sun’s going down for a more enjoyable experience.
Now that we’ve located Proper Slice BYGB, it was time to locate where the magic happens. Unlike what you’d normally find in New York City, behind a silver door is where you’ll find proper slices (pun very much intended).
I mean, it does look dodgy with just one glance, but what lies behind the door, will surprise you. Quite like the door in Narnia, I would say.
Enter and you’ll find yourself snug in a dimly lit shack, filled with the heavenly aroma of hot and fresh pizzas out of the oven. The menu is straight to the point, with six classic flavours to choose from and a range of sides you’d typically find at any Italian pizzeria.
What I tried
It’s probably no surprise that the crowd crowned the Pepperoni (S$10) slice as the star of the show. For what it’s worth, it seemed like a stretch for a thin slice. Well, take a bite and you might just think twice.
There was a smokiness and savouriness from the pepperoni slices that I thoroughly enjoyed, especially when paired with the melting cheese and rich tomato sauce. While my pizza-lovin’ companions felt the pepperonis were a tad too crisp, it was just how I fancied it to be, giving the humble slice an extra texture that was oh-so-addictive. Yum, yum and more yum.
The underdog of the hearty lunch goes to the Spinach & Ricotta (S$10)—hands down.
Instead of the traditional tomato base, this sinful slice was cream-based, topped with spinach, ricotta and artichoke bits. The creaminess of the cheese eases the bitter notes of the charred spinach, making this a combination you never knew you needed to try. A debate for round two is definitely on the table.
What makes a New York slice so unique is in the combination of the thin crust, cheese and tomato base. We thought we’d give to typically-skipped Veggie (S$10) slice a chance for us to determine if Proper Slice BYGB has what it takes to deliver a slice of NYC.
Don’t be fooled by the simplicity of the ingredients here, it was delicious. A simple description indeed but it’s one where words can only say so much. What comes next is for you to try it for yourself. I only wished I had the cool New York breeze and never-ending honking from yellow cabs, as I fold a slice like this at a quarter of the price.
Deviating from the slices, we munched on the classic Italian pizzeria snack, Garlic Knot (S$5). Just as the name suggests, find strips of pizza dough tied in a knot, baked and topped with melted butter, garlic, herbs, and parmesan cheese, with a side of marinara dipping sauce.
Perhaps the delectable slices raised the bar, but these were pretty run-of-the-mill for us. The garlic flavour could be stronger but we’ll give it the benefit of the doubt, considering it could have been drowned out by the savouriness of the pizza slices we munched on simultaneously.
Final thoughts
Overall, these are slices that certainly fare better than its other counterpart Lucali BYGB. Consider Proper Slice BYGB your next sun-down dinner or supper spot in town. It’s open till midnight, with fresh, hot slices outta the oven. While it is pricier than your average slice, it certainly pays for a scrumptious experience.
Disclaimer: I’ve never been to New York and enjoyed one of these slices in the cold winter, but this might just be the closest I’ll get to that reality. Once the sun’s down, swing by the back alley of Gemmill lane to enjoy a proper slice of New York pizza at this hole-in-the-wall concept.
Expected damage: S$8 – S$10 per pax
Other articles you might like:
Tipo Pizzeria e Trattoria, Bugis: “Raise your eyebrows, then your standards”
Price: $
Our Rating: 4 / 5
Proper Slice BYGB
110 Amoy Street, #01-02 (Entrance off Gemmill Lane), Singapore 069930
Proper Slice BYGB
110 Amoy Street, #01-02 (Entrance off Gemmill Lane), Singapore 069930
