Lights, Camera, Pizza

Ivan Kane swaps burgers and shakes for the New York-style pizza of his youth in new Easton concept

By Sarah Sole / Photos by Aaron Massey

The latest evolution of Ivan Kane’s Forty Deuce has given its owner the chance to realize a longtime dream, trading burgers and shakes for a food more squarely associated with his New York roots.

“It’s all about the fold, it’s all about the crunch, it’s all about the crust,” said Kane. “What we’re doing is legit, authentic New York pizza.”

After opening last month, Ivan Kane’s Forty Deuce New York Pizzeria & Bar, at 3959 Brighton Rose Square in Easton, is the product of renovations that began in mid-January. A cafe no longer, the space now has an atmosphere that more easily lends itself to the upstairs speakeasy.

"What we're doing is legit, authentic new York pizza"

“It’s really all about the party at 40 Deuce,” Kane said.

When Kane set out to change up his establishment, he decided he wanted to do something that was more organic to what he was doing upstairs. The speakeasy has enjoyed an expanded entertainment menu. Friday and Saturday nights, the space is known for its burlesque supper club experience, while on Wednesdays, the venue shows double feature movies via a super-sized, high-def video wall. This past month, the speakeasy also launched a Ladies Night live Magic Mike show.

Inside Ivan Kane's Forty Deuce

To that end, Kane wanted a bar-like atmosphere on the first floor, where his speakeasy patrons could stop to grab a slice before heading home for the night.

“I’m just tying the whole experience together,” he said.

Cheese Pizza served at Ivan Kane's Forty Deuce

To create authentic, New York-style pizza, Kane did his homework, meticulously researching recipes and working with individuals he described as “New York pizza royalty.” Medium and large pizzas are available by the pie or the slice.

The Times Square features the standard tomato sauce and mozzarella cheese, while the Soho is a margherita pizza with buffalo mozzarella, diced tomatoes, basil, and tomato sauce. Other staples include the Gotham (vegetarian), the Checker Cab (Hawaiian), and the Midnight Cowboy (BBQ chicken). The menu is rounded out with salads and a handful of sides including buffalo chicken wings, mozzarella sticks, garlic knots, and Italian cheesy bread. Sweets include cinnamon knots, warm chocolate chip cookies, and of course, New York-style cheesecake.

"It's really all about the party at Forty Deuce"

Kane put the same amount of effort into the interior renovation as he did into his menu, creating a space with dimmer lights and a playful bar that will feature DJs during the week. Hours are also shifting to a more late-night atmosphere to better support the speakeasy.

Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, the pizzeria will be open from 4 p.m. to midnight. The space will be open from 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. on Fridays and from noon to midnight on Sundays. After 8 p.m., the venue will switch to 21 and over entry.

For Kane, the changes are in keeping with Easton’s continued expansion of its nightlife corridor.

“That’s really what this area was created for,” he said.

Pizzas served at Ivan Kane's Forty Deuce