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Best Pizza by the Pie
Una Pizza Napoletana, 349 E. 12th Street 212-477-9950
San Marzano tomatoes, ultra-fresh buffalo milk mozzarella, stone ground wheat flour, Sicilian olive oil and Sicilian sea salt all add up to a pizza that would make a Napolitana pizzaiolo say, "Madonna!". The brick oven, wood-fired and perfectly charred pizza, available in only four different pies (the Marinara—no cheese, the Margherita—a Marinara with buffalo mozzarella, the Bianca—Margherita with no tomatoes and the Filetti – a Margherita with fresh cherry tomatoes instead of San Marzano), this stylish newcomer gives the old-timers a run for their flour. Get there early as lines get long and they close a different time each night. Only open Wed. through Sun., from 5:00 p.m. until sold out of fresh dough.
Best Stylish Italian Owned by a Celebrity Chef
Otto Enoteca Pizzeria, 1 Fifth Ave (Enter on 8th St.) 212-995-9559
Molto Mario’s stylish Fifth Avenue enoteca is actually an inexpensive place to get some real Italian food, in classy digs without dolling out un sacco di soldi (a lot cash). Try the straight-out-of-Italy pasta (carbonara, $10, is filled with runny eggs and guanciale, just as in Rome) and gelato (olive oil flavor is actually incredible and a house specialty) made daily by the in-house specialist, or opt for the city’s best cheese plate and a glass from their all-Italian wine list. Grab a seat at the long marble bar and chat it up with the friendly bartenders, or send a bottle of Prosecco to the belle donne nearby. Although there are some great deals on the wine list, the scene seems to die down shortly after midnight.
