Local Pizza: A Summer Slice (or Several)

It would be a bit of a stretch (of the waistband) to call myself a pizza expert, but I am certainly an enthusiast. And so what if Brooklyn is America’s pizza capitol? I’m not going to argue with that. I just know the UES also provides ample opportunities to indulge.

Likewise, though I’m not a meteorologist, I’m pretty sure this was New York’s nicest weekend of the summer, thus far: temperatures in the low 80’s and negligible humidity, for once. The only cloud I spotted was in the shape of a thumbs-up. So it was great to sit outside and nibble (okay devour) some ‘za.

First, on Saturday, I met up with a friend who came in with her daughter from Queens on the Q32 bus. She’s an UES expatriate, and though I’ll never forgive her for leaving, she regains a few points for coming back to visit.

We intended to sit outside and get eggs somewhere near where they got dropped off, at 60th and 2nd. We couldn’t find this exact formula so decided on a Tuscan eatery, Mediterraneo, on the corner of 66th and 2nd. We were seated at a shaded table on the sidewalk, a prime spot for people-watching.

While her adorable 8 month-old had to settle for a bottle, my friend and I shared the Insalata Estiva with avocado, hearts of palm, and parmigianno. It was tasty, if a bit skimpier than expected. We also shared the Margherita Pizza made with crust so light and thin it was really just a vehicle for the sauce, mozzarella, and basil. This kind of pizza probably wasn’t invented in honor of carb-counters (and I hardly classify as one) but eating it was delightfully guilt-free.

We were pleased that a bowl of red pepper flakes appeared without even being requested. And we had good laugh about the server’s black pepper grinder: it was no bigger than a pen, like some kind of James Bond gadget.

The next night, I was happy to also sit outside at Oh Mamma mia on 2nd between 76th and 77th. This restaurant, which opened in March of 2006 has a rustic vibe and clever interior lighting: hanging lights are composed of graters, colanders, and whisks. Flanked by leafy planters, the sidewalk section is cozy and bustling just about every time I walk by. However, let’s not get too caught up in the charming setting, because the pizza here is excellent. It’s baked in a brick oven tucked into the end of the bar. I’ll admit I’ve sampled a few of these pies now, and this latest one was the best yet.

Turns out all the pizzas here are named after Italian songs. My friend and I were enticed by The Maramao with eggplant, fresh ricotta, and arugola. We were intrigued by an ingredient called, “garlic crumbs” (quite logically, bread crumbs sautéed with garlic).

The crust of their pizza is great (and I enjoyed watching the authentic dough-toss behind my friend’s head – though I swear I was listening to everything he said!) but it’s the toppings that really stand out, here. The sauce was already packed with flavor and those garlic crumbs kicked this pizza into what I can only describe as some kind of elevated dimension. When I suggested we go ahead and order a second one, my friend assumed I was joking. For the record, I was not.

No, I didn’t have pizza three times this weekend, but I have to mention my favorite slice in the ‘hood, which I regularly pick up at Gotham Pizza (formerly a Pintaile’s location) on York between 76th and 77th. Though this small slice-and-pie joint has just a few tables, they open their front doors onto the street in the summer.

While all of their pies are solid, the Grandma’s Pizza is what I highly recommend. This has a thick crust, fresh basil, and lots of garlic in the homemade sauce. The recipe of this square pie was passed down from the Tuscan grandmother of one of the owners.

Of course, these are just a few local pizza options…I’m glad to say there are many more. Summer will soon come to a close, so we should specifically take advantage of all these outside dining spots on the UES. The good news is that this means bathing suit season will also soon be behind us. I think I’ll celebrate with another slice (or several.)