Party Report: The F&F Pizza Sessions Night #1

We kicked off summer in the backyard of Frankies with Mark Iacono + Christian Petroni (and we're doing it again on June 9th)

Photos by Megan Gindi

Earlier this week, in celebration of summer, pizza, and just about everything else we hold dear, we threw down in the back garden of Frankies for the inaugural night of the F&F Pizza Sessions. And by garden, we mean the entire place — a warren of rooms, bars, backyards, and everything else comprising the Franks’ culinary empire on the corner of Court and Fifth Streets in Carroll Gardens. What a spot 🤌. To kick the sessions off, the Franks invited friends Mark Iacono (yup, of Lucali fame) and Christian Petroni, who both posted up with their own pizza stations for the party.

“I gotta say, Mark hit it out of the park with his garlic caper slice, and Christian’s Sicilian was a banger,” said Frank Falcinelli, presiding over the party in the back garden while looking crisp in a blue chore coat (a coat that was the envy of Petroni, who recently commissioned one for himself in a XXL). Bobby Caldwell spilled out of the speakers. An engaged couple slunk over to ask Falcinelli if they could throw their wedding at Frankies. He smiled and laughed and gave them a nod, then added: “I got married here!”

As for the Franks team’s pizza, Falcinelli said, “on our end, the nona square was pretty stellar.” If there was a clear winner, he wouldn’t say, but he relishes the golden run of pizza competition currently happening in the city.

“I think pizza is always on the rise. The more quality, fantastic pizza there is, the better it is for everyone. Just like with coffee, just like with wine, just like with hospitality, just like with cars and planes. When the competition and quality is good, it’s good for everybody.”

We’re running it back for round 2

That competition resumes on Monday, June 9th for the second round of the F&F Pizza Sessions. This time, the Franks are casting their nets a little further afield, bringing in friends Chris Bianco of Phoenix, Arizona’s Pizzeria Bianco (a pizzaiolo who the New York Times once said makes what “just might be the best pizza in America”), and sisters Carola and Victoria Santoro of Argentina’s Ti Amo Pizzeria — named one of the world’s 50 best. Short of hopping a flight to Phoenix, and another to Buenos Aires, this is your best shot to taste these masters’ once-in-a-lifetime pies.

Tickets are $150 per person, and grant you an all-access pass to incredible slices and pies from the guests of honor, Frankies classics, F&F Restaurant & Bar’s signature arancini — plus unlimited signature cocktails, wine, and more. Grab yours before they run out.