Omaggio Pizzeria

Background: 
Omaggio means "tribute" in Italian, and Omaggio Pizzeria in the Metropolitan Center in Midtown, Charlotte is just that--a tribute to the simple and flavorful cuisine of Rome. Owner Daniel Siragusa moved from Rome with his family when he was three, and he has maintained a strong connection to his family's roots ever since. 

Omaggio has pizza, pasta, sandwiches, salads, and homemade soups. Recently, Siragusa invited us out to try some menu items, including their seasonal spring pizza. We liked it so much, that we came back the following week with Jason's grandma! At 96, she is the toughest critic we know, and we were sure that Omaggio would pass her strict muster. We were right--she loved it!

On our two visits, we have tried a couple of appetizers, pizza, and pasta. Their pizza is now one of our Charlotte favorites. The thin Roman-style crust is a welcome change from all of the Neapolitan pizza we have had in our lives lately. Check out all of the delicious things we tried below!

Eat This: 

Burrata

Proscuitto San Daniele & Burrata

up close & personal 

Bruschette

originale & truffle

Parmigiana

tomato sauce, homemade Italian sausage, fior di latte (fresh mozzarella), roasted eggplant, shaved parmigiano reggiano

Fior di Zucca

whole milk mozzarella, ricotta, zucchini, zucchini flower, salt, pepper, EVOO

Pepperoni

tomato sauce, whole milk mozzarella, pepperoni (delicious baby pepperoni!)

Ortolana

tomato sauce, whole milk mozzarela, roasted red peppers, eggplant, zuucchini

Bolognese

with spaghetti (sub for rigatoni) 

Garlic Rolls

Hey Mikey! She likes it!

Dessert: 
The tiramisu and cannolis are made in-house, and we tried the tiramisu on our first visit. It was the fluffiest and most flavorful we have had this side of the Atlantic.  We also tried their peach and lemon sorbets, and those were also fabulous. 

A thing of beauty is a joy forever

House-made Tiramisu

as fluffy as a cloud

Peach Sorbet

with house-made whipped cream

Lemon Sorbet

Grandma's favorite!

Drink: 
Omaggio offers soft drinks, beer, wine, and really good Illy brand coffee and espresso. 

Americano

Atmosphere: 
Casual, light, bright, and clean. There is also a lovely patio dining area.  

Roman Hospitality: 
Siragusa and his staff provide top notch service, and this is one of the biggest draws. You are treated like family at Omaggio, and that's a rare and precious thing in our city's rapidly growing restaurant scene. 

Frankie's Notes: 
When Grandma likes a restaurant, you know it is top notch; I didn't share even a bite of those garlic rolls with anyone; We love all of the decorative bikes at Charlotte restaurants; The tiramisu at Omaggio is so good it will make your forget your own name; We are starting a petition for more flowers on pizza; Does Omaggio get the baby pepperoni from miniature pigs? 

Disclaimer: [Some of these] meal[s] were provided free of charge in exchange for an honest and unbiased review. All opinions are our own, and we were not compensated for this review.

 

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DeSano Pizzeria

Background: 
DeSano Pizzeria is a small chain with locations in California, Texas, Tennessee, and North Carolina. All DeSano locations adhere to the strict guidelines required to be called Napoletana pizza. There are specifics on crust, type/temperature of ovens, tomatoes, cheese; the process to be a certified Napoletana pizza is intense, and for a good reason: the pizzas are delicious. They are so delicious, in fact, that Tom Brady and Gisele are known to break their strict diets in order to enjoy a pie every now and again. 

There are two DeSano locations in Charlotte, one in Midtown and one in Waverly. We have been to the Midtown location several times, on one occasion we went as part of a blog even hosted by our favorite, Stephanie from LifebyChipsahoyt. 

Certified Napoletana ovens 

Eat This: 
Well, you gotta get the pizza, obviously. Our favorites are the lasagna pizza and the classic marghertia. 

Lasagna 

San Marzano tomato sauce, meatballs, ricotta, garlic, scamorza, mozzarella di bufala, pecorino romano

VERDURA  

Broccoli rabe, mushrooms, Vesuvian cherry tomatoes, garlic, scamorza, mozzarella di bufala, pecorino romano

NAPOLETANA

Broccoli rabe, sausage, scamorza, mozzarella di bufala, pecorino romano

One of the best parts about DeSano is that you can order any pie Carnevale style, which means they bake ricotta into the crust for a classy stuffed-crust experience. It's only fifty cents, so we can't see any reason why you would not take this option. Also, it turns your pizza into an infinitely Instagrammable star shape. 

You're a star

...shaped pizza!

In addition to pizzas, DeSano also has incredible meatballs, calzones, and salads. I often see people grabbing meatballs to take home to add to a pasta, but when we order them, I usually just eat them straight up as a side. 

Spinach salad

For health!

The Midtown location also offers a weekend brunch special where you can get cold pizza and a Bloody Mary bar. If you are not into cold pizza, then they will also heat it up for you, but we think this is such a cool and unique offering!

Cold pizza and a bloody mary

For what ails you on Sunday mornigns

Dessert: 
Okay, ya'll. Here is our favorite thing about DeSano. They will serve you cannoli filling in a bowl. This is ostensibly a gluten-free option, but we really just dig cannoli filling. Proceed with caution, however. As this is an off-menu item, we have found what we get to be rather inconsistent (a giant bowl compared to a small bowl, chocolate chips mixed in compared to on top, cashiers not knowing how to ring this up, etc.), however, it is worth the gamble, because when it's good, it's good. Seriously, we fight one another over these bowls, so I recommend getting two. 

Straight. up.

Cannoli in a bowl

You can also go classic, in a shell cannoli, if you're into that sort of thing. 

Classic cannoli

Image courtesy of Roamilicious 

One thing we haven't tried, and we have major FOMO, is DeSano's dessert pizza. Look at this beauty!

Uh, Yeah

Image courtesy of Austin.com

Drink: 
DeSano Midtown has a full bar, as well as fun specialty drinks like Mexican coke and San Pellegrino sparkling fruit beverages. Molto Italiano!

Bloody Mary

A classic

Atmosphere: 
The DeSano in Midtown is huge. The kitchen is open, and there is a bar and an enclosed patio. You order at the counter. The one in Midtown is not usually very full, as it seems most of their business is from take-out orders. 

Italiano Hospitality: 
The counter service is very friendly, and the pizza makers work quickly to get you eating in no time. 

OMG is that my pizza?!

Trust the process

Frankie's Notes: 
If Tom Brady deigns to get off of his pretentious throne to grab carry out pizza, then you know it's got to be good; We like to get pizza two or three times a week, which inspired our Pizza Wars podcast episode; There are no losers in the game of pizza; Why don't they bake Nutella into the crust of the dessert pizza?!; Why don't we bake Nutella into everything and thus create world peace in our time? 

Disclaimer: [Some of these] meal[s] were provided free of charge in exchange for an honest and unbiased review. All opinions are our own, and we were not compensated for this review.

 

Ollie's Bites: Charlotte's Best Bar Eats

This article first appeared on Localeur's website--check them out for travel recommendations! Localeur features in-the-know locals giving food, drink, and recreation recommendations from all over the world!

Selwyn Avenue Pub

Pizza so good that MJ orders it

Selwyn Avenue Pub is a Charlotte institution. Located in the heart of Myers Park, this part indoor/part outdoor bar and grill has plenty of large-screen TVs and shady trees and is packed on beautiful fall game days. They are famous for their transfusion drink--vodka, grape juice, and sprite--and for their delicious pizza. The pizza is so good that local Michael Jordan is known to stop in often for a pie. Other solid menu items include their chicken wings and sliders. Parking can be a beast here, so an Uber is highly recommended.

Lebowski’s Neighborhood Grill

Wangs//Image courtesy of Charlotte Agenda 

Tuesday night trivia at Lebowski’s in Dilworth is the best Charlotte trivia in terms of the quality of both food and trivia questions, but in order to keep it possible to get a table, let’s keep that between us, okay? This bar with Buffalo roots does all of the Upstate New York favorites justice, like roast beef on ‘weck and the very best chicken wings this side of the Anchor Bar. Wash it all down with The Dude’s favorite--a White Russian. Be mindful that if you are going on Tuesday, for trivia or just to eat and imbibe, reservations are a must. And that’s not just like, my opinion, man.

The Cellar at Duckworth’s

Truffle fries//Image courtesy of Loop Charlotte

Below sports bar Duckworth’s in Uptown Charlotte lies a hidden speakeasy gem. The Cellar has a variety of seating from high tops to cozy booths, but I always choose a spot at the bar. Here you can watch the master mixologists craft inventive cocktails like my favorite, the Cellar Smash, which is essentially a grown up “slushie” with ginger, citrus, and elderflower. To soak up all of those delicious drinks, you can’t go wrong with the tuna tartare with wonton crisps, truffle fries, or the truffle mac and cheese. The Cellar also offers full entrees, but the shareables and small plates are the way to go here. The Cellar is a decidedly more upscale locale for bar bites--if you are looking for a more traditional bar experience, Duckworth’s upstairs has tons of TVs and great food, as well.   

VBGB Beer Hall & Garden

Giant pretzel//Image courtesy of Charlotte Agenda 

VBGB, located in the AvidXchange Music Factory, is a playground for grown-ups. Fun happenings include life-size games like Jenga and Connect Four, a covered patio, trivia on Thursday nights, and a DJ on Friday and Saturday nights. The food is not your typical bar fare, in that most of it is homemade and much of it is somewhat healthy--like the nitrate-free brats or quinoa salad. However, my favorite menu item is the biergarten classic: a jumbo pretzel with a side of homemade beer cheese. Don’t forget to sample all of the varieties of mustard lined up in the condiment station, too.

Dandelion Market

What's this color called, because I love it?//Image courtesy of Dandelion Market

Dandelion Market Uptown is a great bar to get a little bit of everything. Earlier in the evening, the bar is laid back and rather quiet (especially downstairs), but come 10pm or so, this place gets bumping--literally: the floor upstairs shakes a little when everyone starts dancing, but that just adds to the fun, right? The food here is a cut above for bar bites--don’t sleep on the potato croquettes with cheddar and bacon, prosciutto crostinis, or the brussels sprouts. And although I’ve never done it, but have always wanted to, you can even order the entire menu for $295.

Brixx Wood Fired Pizza

Background:
Brixx is well-known in the Charlotte area as a dependable spot for delicious wood fired pizzas, as well as pasta, salads, and sandwiches. In addition to North Carolina, Brixx is in ten other states, including our friends right across the border, South Carolina. Brixx kindly invited us out one afternoon a couple of weeks ago for their grand opening in the new Kinglsey neighborhood in Ft. Mill. Kingsley is seriously lovely--it is owned by the Springs family and the design and architecture calls to mind the rich history of textile factories in this area, the most prominent of which was owned by the Springs family themselves. Kingsley is a mixed-use development with shopping, housing, and several restaurants. The Kingsley Brixx is a standout lunch and dinner spot in this already bustling neighborhood. 

All shiny & new

Brixx recently added seven new sandwiches made on focaccia bread, the recipe for which was developed by James Beard Award winner Peter Reinhart, who is basically the supreme god of bread. Seriously, he has his own TED Talk on bread, so his expertise is definitely to be trusted. Check out everything we tried below! 

Eat This: 
In an effort to order outside of the box, we decided to try the Korean BBQ Meatballs for an appetizer. I truthfully did not have high expectations for these--they were Jason's idea, but they were winners! We devoured them in .25 seconds. 

Korean BBQ Meatballs

House made meatballs sautéed in Korean BBQ sauce with fresh pineapple, green onions, sesame seeds, and Sriracha

Meatballs so good that Jason needed to catch his breath

Of course, we had to try one of their new sandwiches. Jason went with the muffuletta. 

Brixx Muffuletta

House-made olive tapenade, shaved prosciutto, pepperoni, & fontina cheese topped with a fresh spring mix dressed with vinaigrette on fresh-baked focaccia

Fortunately, this new Brixx is super close to Jason's work, so we have both been back again already. Brixx Kingsley is quickly becoming our new favorite lunch spot in the Ft. Mill/Rock Hill area. 

On one of these subsequent visits, I tried the new turkey sandwich. I had not been able to stop thinking about it after my blog buddy Stephanie (LifebyChipsAhoyt on Instagram) posted it--her picture made it look so good. And trust me--it's not just the picture. This is an amazing sandwich and now my go-to order at Brixx. 

Turkey & Pecan-Cranberry Chutney

Thick carved turkey with sliced Asian pears and pecan cranberry chutney topped with honey-herb arugula on fresh-baked focaccia

The dressing on this bad boy really makes it. Some turkey sandwiches can veer into the dry territory, but this one doesn't even come close thanks to the vinaigrette and the chutney. I think next time I might even ask for extra chutney on the side, because that's just who I am. Jason has had the mozzarella sandwich a couple of times when he visited with co-workers (no picture--guess he doesn't want to get too "blogg-y" around his work buds. Rude!), and that's his new fave. 

And we can't forget the pizza! Everyone knows Brixx pizza is awesome, but did you know they offer regular and whole wheat crust, and that both of these options are vegan? They also offer vegan cheese if you want to make your whole pie vegan-friendly. I am a card-holding member of Cheese Lovers Anonymous though, so I went with the classic Margherita pizza. 

Margherita Pizza

Fresh, house-made mozzarella, Roma tomatoes, and fresh basil on an olive oil base

The pizza was so good! Looking at it makes me want another one right now. Very few restaurants make their mozzarella in house, so this is a truly special pizza. 

Dessert: 
We didn't have dessert on our visits, but by perusing their menu, I see they have a S'MORES PIZZA! I am definitely getting this on our next trip. Have any of your tried that?! If so, please leave a comment describing it in great detail. Thanks in advance.  

No dessert pizza, but check out this picture of Jason SMIZING! Tyra would be so proud.

Drink: 
Brixx offers 24 craft beers on tap, most of them local. They also offer 14 different varieties of wine and speciality cocktails. We didn't drink on this visit, but since this location is open until 1 am six nights of the week, this would be a great place to grab an evening adult beverage. 

Atmosphere: 
This location of Brixx is much more bright and open than other locations we've visited--there are lots of windows that allow natural light in the dining area. There is also an outdoor seating area that seats sixty people, and it will be amazing once fall rolls around. 

It was shady under there, but since the temperature outside was approximately 200 degrees farenheit, we sat inside.

Wood Fired Hospitality: 
On all of our visits, not just the one where they were expecting us, the servers and hosts/hostesses were so welcoming and friendly. The food comes out super fast, which makes this a great choice for a lunch break during the work week. 

Where the magic happens

Frankie's Notes: 
A comically blue Carolina sky makes your feel like maybe you are living in The Truman Show; Jason orders his tomato and mozzarella sandwiches without tomato because he is a monster; Does Tyra offer an online course in smizing? If so, I would like to enroll ASAP; Ordering meatballs always feels like a gamble, but those tasted like they were made by your Korean Nona; "Grandma's Cooking"/Asian fusion would be a great concept for a restaurant; I will be getting a s'mores pizza for a lunch dessert in the near future; Lunch dessert is a highly underrated activity that I partake in regularly. 

Disclaimer: This meal was provided free of charge in exchange for an honest and unbiased review. All opinions are our own, and we were not compensated for this review. 

 

Selwyn Pub

This article also appeared in the May/June 2017 edition of Epicurean Charlotte magazine. 

A cold beer, Bee Sting wings, and lounging in the sunshine on a sunny Carolina afternoon? That’s just what the doctor ordered--Doc Foster, that is. Regulars of Selwyn Avenue Pub will know Jim Foster as Doc, the co-owner of Myers Park’s number-one neighborhood destination for gathering with friends to eat, drink, and cheer on a Duke vs Carolina game. It’s no happy accident that Selwyn Avenue Pub is the premier destination for those searching for a grown up bar in Charlotte. Doc and and his father, Jim Foster Sr., also known as “Coach,” credit their long-lasting success with listening to their customers since they opened the pub in 1990. As Doc puts it, “We have stayed in business for 27 years because we listen to our customers--we want people to feel welcome and comfortable. What you see here is the result of 27 years of improv with audience participation.”

Buffalo Chicken Wrap

Bee Sting Wings

The results of customer input can be seen everywhere from the menu (customers asked for the Ahi Tuna Wrap that’s now one of their best selling items), to the enclosed TVs on the patio (a customer suggested the alcove for housing the TVs back in the early 90s when no other bars had outdoor televisions). The customers are the heart and soul of Selwyn Pub and play a central part in its identity. “We want people to feel welcome here, and to feel comfortable,” Doc says, and he believes it’s impossible to become stale in the restaurant business unless “you become tone deaf” to your customers’ demands. Doc has watched many fads in the Charlotte dining scene come and go, but he and Coach maintain a steady focus on a business model that cultivates longevity and customer loyalty. The equation is simple, says Doc: “If you want to hang out in Myers Park with a lot of nice people, we’re it.”

New awning vibes

Slider nation

There is a comfortable familiarity about Selwyn Pub that resonates with its customers, but Doc never stops innovating. Case in point? A brand new retractable awning (AKA the “Selwyn Pubadrome”) was recently installed to replicate the beloved oak tree that had to come down in November of 2015. Doc knows how important the tree was to so many of his customers, and he did everything he could to salvage it. The tree, he notes, had more “check-ups” than his own children. Ultimately, however, all of the experts Doc consulted agreed that the tree could not be saved, and the soil was not amenable to planting a fresh tree in that spot. Doc spent many hours searching for a viable replacement that could replicate the feel of the tree, if not the exact look. The new awning provides many qualities the tree provided-- the sun shines through when the awning is out and allows in some warmth, but it will block heavy rain and much of the blistering heat of the sun’s rays in the height of summer. The awning stands tall at 11 feet high, so it never feels suffocating, and it maintains the patio’s open and breezy feel . Doc feels that the awning “keeps the spirit of the tree” in that the patio remains a comfortable gathering spot for the Myers Park community, and he knows his customers will be relieved to not have to cover their beers and race inside when a summer rainstorm blows in. Along with the awning, the outdoor heaters and comfy new seat cushions will ensure that Selwyn Pub remains a year-round destination (yes, all year--even on Christmas and “snow days”).

Class 'n Sass

Once you are comfortable and climate-controlled no matter the weather, it’s time to focus on food, and diners know Selwyn as a reliable spot for quality pub food. The focus, Doc says, is on “shareable items, because they support our main purpose--people come here to meet their friends.” The food, like the pub itself is “communal” and Doc and his father know that customers crave simple and high quality menu items, so their focus is straightforward: “Buy absolutely the best ingredients and don’t screw it up.” What does this mean in practice? Angus chuck beef for hamburgers, fresh not frozen hand-breaded chicken tenders, sashimi grade Ahi tuna, and Boar’s Head meat products. Their most popular item, according to everyone from the rich and famous of Charlotte to the Myers Park teenage set, cast a unanimous vote: that pizza. With unlimited free toppings and a thin and crispy crust, you really can’t go wrong with a Selwyn Avenue Pub pizza.

Veggie Pizza 

Dougbert's Dirty Martini

Doc is the first to admit that the menu is a bit schizophrenic, but it’s merely the result of listening to customers’ demands over 27 years. Initially, Doc and Coach, who are of Irish heritage, had the idea of opening up “a little Irish pub in the neighborhood.” They quickly found, however, that as much as people enjoy Irish food here and there, or as a novelty on March 17th, most customers don’t crave that type of food on a day to day basis while they watch the game with a beer. So, true to their mission, they switched up their menu to what the customers craved. And while it’s mostly wings and pizza, sometimes it’s that fancy tuna wrap that’s now a bestseller, or anything else a customer might suggest in the near future. Selwyn is unpretentious quality at affordable prices. What to wash it down with, beyond the beer, of course? “Many people” Doc says, “are surprised at our wine menu--it is a wide selection of high quality wines at pub prices.” The drink options range from ciders to cocktails to a refreshing Sauvignon Blanc.

Jim "Doc" Foster 

If you’re looking to peruse a menu online, though, you won’t have any luck; “the customers” Doc says, “are our social network.” One of Doc’s daughters did hook up the pub with a Snapchat Geofilter, but that’s as far their media presence goes. This philosophy meshes with one of the challenges Doc often finds himself pondering in his other gig, where he is a tenured professor of Law and Ethics at Queens University’s McColl School of Business. He notes that for all of the social media savvy today’s students demonstrate, they sometimes struggle with talking to one another face to face, and he believes that Selwyn Avenue Pub provides that place of social connection. Selwyn Avenue Pub harkens back to an earlier time of the village green, where people would gather together to discuss local issues and politics face to face, and not over Facebook or text; “People come here primarily because they want to socialize with their friends and meet new people, and we provide that comforting and inviting place for them to do that.” Doc believes that people crave that gathering place in their community, and Selwyn Avenue Pub is more than pleased to provide that space for the Myers Park and Charlotte community.

Did you see Selwyn Pub on Southern Charm?!

The only snafu? The notorious parking situation: “We proudly acknowledge that we’ve got the worst parking in the state,” Doc says with a laugh, but he notes that the upside is that everyone who manages to get here is “paying us the greatest compliment--they had to go through a lot to get here” he jokes. But seriously--take an Uber or hitch a ride with a friend and get down to Selwyn Avenue Pub ASAP to enjoy a few of those quintessential sunny southern afternoons this summer. And don’t waste any time, as Doc notes, “your friends are already here.”

 

Firestorm Pizza

Background: 
Firestorm Pizza is a build-your-own pizza and salad concept started by Chris Berman. Berman has three locations of Firestorm, one in Winston-Salem, one in Mooresville, and his newest spot in Northlake which opened in January of 2017.  I visited the Northlake location with my dearest friend Daniela after Firestorm so generously invited me out to sample some of their pizza. 

Fresh to death

What makes Firestorm stand out? The customer service, cleanliness, and the quality of the food and beverages. We had the best time making our own pizza with the fun staff at Firestorm!

Oh no--creepy blogger syndrome happening again! 

Eat This: 
Once we all got outfitted with gloves and hats, we got to go behind the counter at Firestorm to actually make our own pizzas! On a typical visit, the friendly staff will do all of this for you without you lifting a finger, but it was awesome to get a behind-the-scenes look at how the pizza gets made. 

Hi, Destyn!

The process begins with the dough. You can get regular white flour, whole wheat, or gluten-free dough. The dough rounds are flattened using this nifty little dough press! 

Once your dough is flat, it is perforated so it doesn't bubble up in the pizza oven.

Let me perforate ya

Then, it's on to the most fun part--picking your toppings! Toppings are included in one flat cost at Firestorm--so feel free to load up! 

Aunt Ms. Coach D AKA The Real Jewcan loading up those toppings!

Then it's into the oven for your little baby pizza! They start the pizzas near the back of the oven so the crust cooks up nicely, and then they move the pizza around for optimal browning. 

Cuttin' up

Daniela's final masterpiece

I go hard on the banana peppers

In addition to pizza, Firestorm offers salads which you can also create yourself, and, my personal favorite thing at any pizza joint--garlic knots! 

Dessert: 
Firestorm also bakes up their own chocolate chip cookies. We didn't try one on this visit, but we were definitely tempted. Next time! 

They also offer Cheerwine and root beer floats! 

Drink: 
In addition to the above floats, we can't forget about the beer! One of the coolest parts of Firestorm's concept is their tap system. They have twelve regional beers on tap and they have a nifty card system that they use to charge you for how much beer you want. You load up your card with a dollar amount, and then you can scan your card, which will keep track of how many ounces you have purchased. If you want more, no big deal! Just go back and load up your card again! This is a fun way to get to try lots of different options--maybe you could get a half glass each of two varieties you have your eye on!  I tried SweetWater's "Goin' Coastal" pineapple IPA. It was super delicious, and I don't typically like beer!

Atmosphere: 
The Firestorm at Northlake is very clean and has lots of cool touches--one of my favorite parts was that they offered "half boxes" by the utensil area so you didn't have to bother with going back up to the counter to get a box for the rest of your pizza. 

Italiano Hospitality: 
The staff at Firestorm were so kind and knowledgeable, and they were very patient with having so many bloggers and Instagrammers invade their store during peak dinner hours. I could tell we weren't getting special treatment--everyone who came in while we where there was receiving the same level of awesome service. 

Frankie's Notes: 
The weirdest part of going to blog events is having to introduce yourself with your blog name or Instagram handle; In this vein, a very special shout out to the gal behind "Put It In Your Mouth;" There is a lot of pressure to make a good looking pizza when you are surrounded by so many creative types--I feel like my pizza deserves a gold star for effort; A pour-your-own tap counter is like a Coke Freestyle for grown-ups; I always wish fruity beers tasted more like fruit juice, and I am disappointed when they taste more like beer; Do they make alcoholic fruit juice? 

Disclaimer: This meal was provided free of charge in exchange for an honest and unbiased review. All opinions are our own, and we were not compensated for this review.