Fantastic...This is my other top current NYC culinary obsession, my favorite new NYC pizzeria in recent memory. They're really hitting all the marks perfectly here in terms of food, decor service and perhaps most importantly taking into account it's location,... vibes. Ridgewood has notoriously been rated in the media as one of the worlds coolest neighborhoods currently, and for my money this just might be the most effortlessly cool spot in said hood.
Starting with the food and specifically the pizza, as it's the backbone of the establishment, it's pretty damn incredible, not the least due to the fact that it's cooked in a state of the art, eco-friendly ELECTRIC oven. The relatively lower temperatures results in delicious crusts that are solidly in the classic NY Style tradition in terms of thickness and consistency, making them a solid and delicious base for a multitude of delicious toppings. The pies are likewise also quite large, akin to a whole pie from a classic neighborhood pizzeria as opposed to the smaller ones usually put out in other more artisanal spots. On each occasion here my parties have always left with delicious leftover slices to enjoy at home. Every pizza I've had the pleasure of trying has been uniformly delicious. The red pies I've sampled , specifically the classic Regular blessed with perfectly fresh basil as well as the cheesier and spicier and cheesier Big Cheese which is boosted by the flavorful addition of fontina cheese and chili, both deliciously channel classic corner shop flavors married with top quality ingredients and techniques. The white pies , however I've found to be a more of a jumping off point for more unbridled creatively. From a recent white special loaded with spicy Soppressata and tons of fresh scallions and béchamel, to a earthy and deeply rich mushroom pie centered around extremely fresh oyster and maitake shrooms, and, probably my favorite and more mind enhancing pie, the Hot Potato pie, with gorgeous potatoes mingling with provolone and pecorino, more fresh scallions and deliciously spicy globs of n'juda, the skinless amorphous sausage sometimes referred to as the Italian version of Mexican Chorizo. Haven't been able to get that pie off my mind since eating it. Really really looking forward to getting the chance to try the highly coveted spicy XL calzone, which seemingly rightly has appeared on a high majority of tables on each occasion I've been there, as well as the more under the radar Monday only offering of their version of the great Clam Pie.
It must be noted that just as great as the pizza on offer here, which again is immediately among the ranks of the cities best, are the SALADS. Indeed I'm hard pressed to think of another pizzeria, or most any other establishment of any kind that have impressed me as much with their salads, whoever the produce plug is here must be protected and retained at all cost! The freshness of the produce is startling, sugar snap pies and mint tasting as if they were pulled from the dirt immediately before plating and blend brilliantly with salty and fatty guanciale and sharp fiore sardo. The real crowd pleasure that inspired the proverbial "best I've ever had" line around the table on each occasion it's been ordered in my present however, is definitely the Caesar, think everything you love about the classic salad gone EXTRA, the best freshest little gem I can ever remember coming loaded with tons of super high quality parm and drenched in a decadent made to order dressing loaded with deep pungent Anchovy packed flavor. Juries still out if this salad is any more or less healthy than the pies themselves but it's certainly just as delicious and crave inducing. Wash it all down with a perfectly prepared cocktail or if you're so inclined and high minded a carefully curated glass of natural wine.
The interior is stylish yet comfortable perfectly befitting it's stature as a neighborhood spot for the coolest of neighborhoods, and the staff is as hip and as stylish as imaginable while somehow miraculously also being uniformly professional and effortlessly engaging and gregarious. I know who would think it possible for both things to be true at the same time! The outdoor seating is truly of the most bare-bones and DIY a setup as possible with plastic picnic tables but should you decide to sit there you'll be rewarded with some of the best people watching imaginable on one of the most bustling and vibrant intersections in the boroughs. We were disappointed to have finished up our meal just a few minutes to late to make the 8 o'clock closing of the nearby ice cream window a few doors that had some really unique and delicious looking flavors available but that's just one more thing to look forward to on future visits here. Get here as fast as you can if and get a look at and taste of the current pulse of NYC pizza greatness. read more