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Inventor of grilled pizza now topping pies with watermelon

September 22, 2002

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NEW YORK -- Vincent Scotto, who invented the grilled pizza while working as the chef at Al Forno in Providence, R.I., is pushing the creative edge again as the co-owner and chef of Gonzo, a new Italian restaurant in Manhattan.

Intrigued by a rumor that Gonzo served a watermelon-topped pizza, New York Observer food critic Moira Hodgson had to try it for herself.

The pizza arrived grilled, as expected, and topped with slivers of prosciutto, oiled arugula leaves, thin shavings of Parmesan and hidden bits of watermelon. Hodgson wrote that the melon "added a fruity note that complemented both the ham and the cheese, cutting their saltiness. It was a great combination, and we all agreed it was one of the best pizzas we'd ever tasted."

While there, Hodgson also sampled a pizza Margherita topped not with fresh mozzarella, but a blend of Bel Paese and Romano cheeses, and another pie topped with mashed potatoes and corn.