For National Pizza Day, here's some fresh CT pizza news

Reporter Josh LaBella takes a look at some of Fairfield's favorite pizzerias, including Colony Grill, Nauti Dolphin and Frank Pepe's.

"Connecticut, with a number of different styles, pound for pound, is better than anything else in the country," said Ken Martin, co-owner of Colony Grill, which has a location in Fairfield. "New York and New Jersey may have something to say about that, but I love Connecticut pizza and it's really, really exceptional."

Pizza spots showed up in Connecticut Magazine's recent "Best Of" lists, including CT's best hidden gems. 

Among the honorees:

• Dante's Pizza in New Canaan
• Grigg Street Pizza in Greenwich
• Little Oak Cafe in Canton
• The Little Rendezvous in Meriden 

Pizza is back on the menu in Hartford as Connecticut lawmakers again file legislation to make one of the state’s most popular foods the official state food of Connecticut. The bill to designate pizza as the state food has been referred to the Joint Committee on Government Administration and Elections. 

Saag paneer, navratan korma, chicken tikka masala and boti kebab in pizza form? Find it at the new location of Darbar Indian in Branford. The restaurant took over the former Assaggio space on Montowese Avenue, and will celebrate its grand opening March 3.

The South Windsor pizzeria, recently featured in Connecticut Magazine, is the second restaurant from Dave Noad and Camille Malaspina, who met and fell in love while working together at a Simsbury pizzeria years ago. Oakland Pizza Co., like their original Camille's Wood-Fired Pizza in Tolland, features thin-crust pies, seasonally-inspired salads, creative small plates and a few comforting pasta dishes.

Reporter Chatwan Mongkol spent an evening at New Haven Pizza School, as Connecticut pizza expert Frank Zabski led a three-hour class on how to make the famous pizza from scratch. 

Zabski began the class by sharing stories about himself, how New Haven pizza was a “love at first bite,” and a brief history of pizza. Then, he went over everything from how to make a dough, how to mix the sauce, how to assemble, how to bake and how to cut. 

As someone who likes to talk and teach, Zabski said opening a pizza school was a way to fulfill his passion. Besides the group class in New Haven, he also has a mobile school with which he can take a wood-fired oven and his knowledge to a student’s house.

Actress Gwyneth Paltrow stopped into Sally's Apizza in New Haven in late November, dining with friends and taking photos with employees.

"We were of course so excited to have Gwyneth Paltrow at the New Haven location," Sally's marketing manager Kat Manning said in a message. "She was so nice and was kind enough to take a picture with a few of our team members and even signed a box."

"For all the amazing people @ [Sally's], thank you for the most perfect pizza," Paltrow wrote on the cardboard pizza box, finishing with "Much love" and her signature. 

Atticus Market was recently featured in Connecticut Magazine. The location in New Haven's East Rock neighborhood launched its weekly pizza nights in late 2021, with a core menu of classic styles and rotating weekly specials.

“I started this whole thing trying to replicate Sally’s,” said CEO Charlie Negaro Jr., naming his favorite Wooster Street pizzeria. Instead, he and his team at Atticus have carved out their own pizza niche, which they call "New Haven-ish."