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This Week News wrote Pie-maker gets his pizza hand ready again
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
By Gary Seman Jr.
Bill Yerkes is at it again. After a brief hiatus from making traditional Napoli-style pizzas, Yerkes is again ready to put a pie in your face.
Yerkes is subletting Eleni-Christina Bakery in the evenings for his latest pizza enterprise, bonoTOGO (as in “to go”) — just in time for the Gallery Hop on Saturday. Although the place’s address is 641 N. High St., the storefront actually faces Russell Street, about 60 feet west of the main drag.
What a great idea- bakery during the morning/afternoon and pizza joint in the evening. Menus for this place were taped above the mailboxes where I live last night. Selection and prices look great. I hope it works out for them.
while you all go eat Russian foods, I’m in for a my first visit to the wacky pizza guy!
The five cheese with arugula is stunningly good. I’d pay extra just to see Bill Yerkes, but it’s the other way around, he’s always giving me free stuff.
Bill ordered new boxes for the popular three-pizzas-for-$20-deal, he says they’ll be in soon and are different than all other pizza boxes in the universe.
Last weekend there was a cute girl photog shooting for Columbus Alive, Bill has the coolest looking staff on the High Street strip (sorry, SNT!). Finally someone on High Street with an original idea.
I’m going to take my mom here tonight… I haven’t been yet, but I’ve been drooling since this thread started.
Got another date with the cyclist here tonight!
PS =
The crepes are crazy sexy.
If I went to Bono on a first date, and the date bought me a crepe – I’d probably have to bed down with him on the spot.
didn’t make it due to the rain. :( Will try again tonight.
The crepes are crazy sexy.
If I went to Bono on a first date, and the date bought me a crepe – I’d probably have to bed down with him on the spot.
Well those crepes just moved to the top of my list, thanks.
NOVA may want to include this scene in an episode on the mating rituals of modern humans.
By G.A. Benton
June 26, 2008
Bono is operated by an unbridled personality named Bill Yerkes. I met Bill a couple of years ago, and right after hello, he began recounting the vast fields of wild oats he’d sown in his bad-boy past. The guy is a gas, a wild and crazy character who might’ve lifted himself out of the pages of an Augusten Burroughs book because he refused to be held down in ink. He’s too alive for that.
And too passionate about genuine pizza to let a recent series of unfortunate events prevent him from continuing to produce delicious pies the right way. The Italian Way. The way this self-described “Pizza Nazi” learned by living in Italy for many years.
READ MORE
About to go to BONOTOGO on a double date. See you soon.
Enjoyed ours tonight. The bianca, funghi and 5 cheese.
Appreciated the complimentary espresso stand outside – although 8pm is a little late for me to be drinking espresso! Our place will be spotless in no time!
We arrived there tonight, happily, in a momentary lull. We managed to get our order in just before lots of other folks arrived and did the same. Split a #15 — I forget the name, but it’s the one with the sun-dried tomatoes, olives, and hard-boiled eggs. Awesome. Afterward, Carlos came out and asked whether he could make us a crepe. Twist my arm….
What a crepe, by the way! Really one of the best I’ve had. Nothing particularly airy about it — it had all the silky seriousness of a dessert that really means business. The drizzle of chocolate syrup gave the nutella a nice edge.
Great people, great food. Go there a lot.
Our double date turned into a triple date as we made it to BONOTOGO at about 11 last night. Very nice as it was actually sprinkling rain, but we sat outside on the side walk and the BONOTOGO rain gods did not let a drop fall on us. :D
We ate 7 pizzas among the 6 of us. I only ate amongst three of the pizzas: The Hulk, The Barry White and the Funghi.
The Hulk: Only had one slice since this was my girlfriend’s choice. It was topped which what I believe to be dandelion leaves, but maybe only in sight since they were not bitter as dandelion… anyway the Hulk gas a bunch of green veggies. Tasted great and was a good pie/delightful presentation, but not the particular zing I look for in a pizza.
The Barry White: Ate about 3/4 of this and shared the rest. Very robust, tasty white pizza with as Andrew Hall said, “cheese that tastes like cheese.” Awesome Awesome awesome. Try this one out guys.
The Fughi: My second time ordering it, and it was better than the first time. More ‘srooms, more sauce and more kick than before. My favorite BONOTOGO pie.
All three pizzas had the best crust of the three times I have visited- Warm, crisp edges with a lighter. doughier interior.
The atmosphere was very nice as the street was closed motorized traffic due to ComFest (attn: Coleman and posse, keep Russel closed), only a few cars rolled through.. mostly ComFest workers I am sure. But the street closure really made for a quieter and less aggressive atmosphere where I could here more birds chirping and walkers strolled down the middle of the lane.
Oh and the service is very personal with Carlos being attune to every customer’s need.. being sassy, funny, and dependable all at once. Plus we had fun with the toys on the tables.
BONOTOGO- A+ Check ‘em out this weekend.
Appreciated the complimentary espresso stand outside – although 8pm is a little late for me to be drinking espresso! Our place will be spotless in no time!
COMPLIMENTARY ESPRESSO?!?!
i didn’t think pizza could get any better… i’m hungry
Roland sent out the call to arms. Four of us responded.
Got to Bono and were sitting down to eat when BrianG and Stacky appeared.
As they were getting settled in, michaelcoyote and his bro biked up.
Bono was definitely getting the CU love tonight. I think we might have ordered one of every pizza that they make….
Oh, and look out for the cherry bomb! I saw the cherry tomatoes but I didn’t see the “bomb,” so I took a bite. Day-umn! Seriously good, but not for the faint of heart! Until tonight it never crossed my mind that anyone would make a pizza that spicy. Don’t get me wrong — I’m really glad that someone does, and that the option exists. It may actually be my new favorite, when I’m in the right mood. But if you’re asking yourself, “How hot would they really make a pizza?” — the answer is, pretty friggin’ hot. I asked Carlos what the bomb part was and he said, “That comes tomorrow.” After we all finished laughing, he gave the real answer: “Fresh habañeros.” Looked at the slice, and yup.
Out of all the favor shown towards Bono in this thread, this description has sold me the most.
Thank you, Bear. I’m like so there.
Last night was my first time to Bono and the pizza was awesome. The leftovers aren’t too bad this morning either.
I’m usually not a big fan of spicy food, but I have to agree with Bear and say that the Cherry Bomb was excellent. Tried a maple crepe which was also very good.
Big kudos to the staff as well: Carlos and Liz were very friendly and entertaining.
I really liked the Cherry Bomb pizza.
My favorite Bono pizza is the number 2, AKA San Giorgio. This is not because I laugh everytime I say it. It’s got lots of meaty goodness. The San Giorgio has tomato sauce, mozzarella, pepperoni, and sausage.
I can see this place being a CU hangout. We bumped into a bunch of people just camping out on the sidewalk there.
Last night was only my second time to Bono. I really enjoyed it the first time and couldn’t wait to get back. All of the pizza that I tasted was excellent, though I did notice that the Bianco (I think that is the name) had a slightly different mix of toppings from the first time I tried it. Sorely missing this time was what seemed to have been unmelted shavings of a Parmesan-like cheese that really worked well with the other toppings.
I was too much of a wuss to try the cherry bomb. How is everyone’s “day after” experience going??
It was great finally getting to meet the legendary Bear and Coleen. The Layer Cake wine Bear picked up at Europia was great. I don’t think wine gets any more full-bodied than that.
I hope Bono eventually set up more tables outside because its definitely shaping up to be a regular CU crowd hangout.
I picked up 3 pizzas after work last night. Got home to realize that the #7 we ordered was taken to be #17. I’m not a vegatable guy at all, but damn, that thing was good.
No regrets on the cherry bomb, thanks for checking Cab (and nice to meet you!) :D
Cravings for this one are sure to begin in oh, say… well, actually I’d take another slice right now.
Each pizza had something that made it pop, but I think the Cipollini (sp?) would have to be at the top of my list because carmelized onions make me feel like dancin’.
And those sexy nutella crepes were gobbled up so fast I didn’t even get a nibble. Next time it’ll be all about the crepe and the Colleen!