The Brooklyn Paper / John N. Barclay

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Plenty of pizza places are named for their owner — Joe’s in Park Slope and Carmine’s in Greenpoint come to mind — but none have gone so far as Vinny Vella’s, the newest slice shop in Williamsburg.

“If I don’t sell any pizza, I’ll make it into a museum,” said Vella (pictured at right), an actor who has appeared in “Casino,” “Analyze That” and “The Sopranos.” He probably could; the space boasts movie posters, memorabilia and, the piece de resistance, a 6- x 8-foot portrait of Vella himself set right into the floor.

However enticing the floor might be, we recommend keeping both eyes on the menu. Vella prides himself on using fresh ingredients in dishes like chicken parmigiana and specialty pies like “Analyze This,” with tomato sauce, cheese, broccoli rabe and garlic. Even regular slices are prepared with fresh mozzarella and homemade tomato sauce, and at only $2, are a lot less than those offered at pizza parlors with lesser ingredients.

So why would the lifelong resident of Manhattan’s Little Italy come to Williamsburg to toss his dough?

“It’s up-and-coming,” Vella told GO Brooklyn, “and there were no pizzerias in the area. Also, I got the rent for peanuts.”

And while peanuts aren’t on the menu, there are definitely enough other specialties to try.

©2007 Community Newspaper Group