Ah, Nicoletta

Michael White, aka Chef Bianco, is well known and well regarded in the New York City fine cuisine community. His restaurant, Marea, is regarded as one of the best seafood restaurants that we have in this city, which is saying a lot. He owns several other restaurants as well, Osteria Morini, Ai Fiori, and two newbies: Costata and the Butterfly. I've tried Marea for a special 29th birthday dinner, and have been to Osteria Morini a handful of times (hint: try the meatballs). However, my favorite Bianco restaurant is his pizzeria, Nicoletta.

But first let's back up and talk a little bit about Michael White's bio. He was born in Wisconsin, but his passion for food led him to study in Imola, Italy, a small town outside of Bologna. Chef Bianco lived and learned there for seven years, before returning to the states to swoop up stars from both the New York Times and the Michelin Guide, as well as a few James Beard awards.

So this New York by way of Chicago by way of Italy by way of Wisconsin saga has all somehow rolled together and given us Nicoletta. Michael White has said in interviews that he wanted to make a pizzeria inspired by his Beloit, Wisconsin hometown pizzeria called Domenico's. This pizza is more 'murican, less Italian. More strip mall, less SoHo boutique. More Pizza Hut, less Grimaldi's.

And yet this pizza is FABULOUS! The fine ingredients and topping combinations were clearly concepts of this accoladed chef. However, it is the crust that screams midwest. It is not the typical thin New York crust, but instead a bit more substantial. The pepperoni curls up beautifully, and the pizza is garnished with tangy sprinkles of parmesan. It must also be said that the side dishes and desserts are strong in their own right. Chef Bianco's famous meatballs with grandma's red sauce have come over from Osteria Morini, and while I'm not a dessert person, I was blown away by the creamy fior di latte gelato. We topped ours with blueberry limoncello and amaretti cookie crumbles, but you can get creative.

Crust Thickness: Average

Crust Softness: Firm

Crust Char: Tan

Crust Puffiness: Airy

Sauce: Smooth

Cheese: Grated, Superior

Pepperoni Crisp: Crispy and Curled

Style: Unique

**** - Pizza Perfection

What the Stars Mean:

Stars are awarded similarly to the New York Times restaurant reviews. 1 star is recommended, 2 stars is very good, 3 stars is excellent, and 4 stars is pizza perfection.

http://www.nicolettanyc.com

Music Nerd Alert: the post title is a reference to "Ah, Violetta" in the third act of Verdi's opera, La Traviata.

La Pizza Au Courant

Buona sera mes amis. My first pizza review post will be of my favorite pizzeria of the moment. I get so excited when husband agrees to order from here via seamless. I get even more excited when my buzzer goes off and I realize the pizza man is at my apartment! And my heart palpitates when I hear the footsteps trudging up the stairs, to stop in front of my door and drop off this box of deliciousness.

I'm talking about Fiore's, located at 165 Bleecker Street in Greenwich Village, New York City. Fiore's on Bleecker is a newcomer to the extremely competitive NYC pizza scene. Most newbies don't make it. Due to high rents and a multitude of fantastic options, you really have to come with your A-Game. In this neck of the woods, you have long time heavy hitters such as Joe's, Bleecker St. Pizza, and John's. You have Neapolitan maestro Keste. A few blocks away, there's Arturo's on Houston St. And up 6th Ave. you'll find Famous Roio's, the one that started all that Ray's nonsense. There is no lack of options in the West Village and Greenwich Village.

Fiore's, while new to this location, was established in 1995, which seems like just yesterday, but was almost 20 years ago (guh - I feel old). They have definitely and purposefully perfected their craft. This pizza is inspiring. With a focus on quality ingredients and a scientific fixation for properly cooked pizza, Fiore's turns over a fine product. Read about the metrics, straight ahead.

Crust Thickness: Thin
Crust Softness: Soft
Crust Puffiness: Flat
Sauce: Sweet, Authentico
Cheese: Grated, Superior
Pepperoni Crisp: Crispy and Curled
Re-Heat Factor: Good
Grease: Greasy
Style: NY Style

**** Stars - Pizza Perfection.

What the Stars Mean:
Stars are awarded similarly to the New York Times restaurant reviews. 1 star is recommended, 2 stars is very good, 3 stars is excellent, and 4 stars is pizza perfection.

https://www.facebook.com/FioresPizzaNYC