Where can you enjoy kosher pizza and a vintage film to the tune of a circa 1912 Wurlitzer? Try Angelino’s in San Jose.
“It’s really like you are back in the 1920s or 1930s with the music of the pipe organ,” said Rami Tabibian, part owner of Angelino’s, home to the only such Wurlitzer in San Jose.
The 27-year-old establishment is also the only pizzeria in the region offering Greek-style, vegetarian and cheese pizzas that have been certified kosher.
“We’re the only mass producer of kosher pizza in Northern California,” said Tabibian, who began producing kosher pizzas about six months ago, receiving certification from Rabbi Allan Berkowitz of San Jose’s Congregation Sinai, a synagogue that calls itself traditional, rather than Orthodox.
While the restaurant itself is not technically a kosher establishment because it also offers nonkosher fare, the ingredients, preparation and utensils used in making and serving the kosher pizzas are certified as meeting kosher standards, according to Berkowitz.
His synagogue regularly orders kosher pizza from Angelino’s.
The certification, Berkowitz said, “is not a blanket supervision of all of [Tabibian’s] pizza. We’ve made an arrangement whereby he can make kosher pizza.”
Born in Iran, Tabibian studied in Israel and went to England, where he worked in the kosher-food industry for 13 years before moving to the South Bay three years ago.
“I met the family because they had a wedding here at Temple Sinai. That’s when Rami and I discussed the idea of kosher pizzas,” the rabbi said.
Tabibian had his work cut out for him. The cheese on the pizzas had to meet kosher standards; cheeses with setting agents containing animal by-products could not be used. The rabbi then had to inspect the oven temperatures, the sauce recipe, and finally he inspected each of the kitchen utensils separately.
Although Angelino’s is still struggling to increase its name-regognition, the restaurant’s owners are optimistic about the future. They count their relationship with Sinai’s congregants as one of their most important achievements so far. In fact, Angelino’s now plans to provide pizzas for Sinai’s Jewish singles events and for the Addison-Penzak Jewish Community Center of Greater San Jose. In addition, the pizzeria is currently supplying a number of synagogues and Jewish institutions in the Bay Area.
“We are doing OK so far, but we want to branch out,” said Tabibian.
The restaurant itself is home to three organists who play the Wurlitzer four nights a week. Maintaining the organ requires a great deal of energy and capital, yet Angelino’s owners say the instrument is an invaluable asset.
For many Jews in the area, those who keep kosher and those who don’t, the lively combination of music, classic silent films and pizza makes Angelino’s an ideal family restaurant.
“I have an 8-year-old son and Angelino’s is a great place to take him for a fun night out,” said San Jose resident Adir Miller.
In the spirit of its multicultural approach, Angelino’s is also slated to host a Welsh choir that will perform in San Jose.
Berkowitz said the availability of kosher pizza has been a real boon to the area.
“I’m very appreciative. It’s been a very big help to my synagogue,” he said. “This is a good thing.”