Signage is up for Mandolino Pizza here on East 13th Street between Third Avenue and Fourth Avenue...
We don't know a thing about the pizzeria just yet, like will it be more of a slice-to-go place ... or a sit-down-and-order-a-whole-pie establishment... (or both!)
Mandolino takes over the space from Sahara Citi, the hookah/hummus restaurant that closed this past summer after four years in business.
In any event, despite the nearby NYU dorm presence, it has to be a tough pizzeria market right in this area ... you have Joe's around the corner on 14th Street, which serves one of the city's best slices ... Gotham Pizza recently opened on 12th Street and Third Avenue (I finally tried a slice there and really liked it)... and for a sit-down meal, there's Bruno Pizza on 13th Street between Third Avenue and Second Avenue that reviewers really seem to like.
Gotham Pizza will have paper'd out windows quite soon .. Between quality and geographical competition with Joe's and now this it can't last.
ReplyDeleteIn other pizza news I think the crap eye soar 99cent east side of 1st avenue between 13th and 14th has finally kicked the bucket! If vinny vincenza won that stand-off maybe they can go back to making decent stuff again.
We like Gotham. Consistent quality and much less oily than the closest competitor. Totally disagree with above comment.
ReplyDeleteAm a neighbor. Not a proprietor!
I am curious if Pizza places have not only kept pace with Taco shops or have surpassed them, any guesses?
ReplyDeleteI want to like Joe's and was a fan of the west village Joe's but new Joe's is just not doing it for me. The crust is very blah. Tough and chewy and tastes like nothing. Sorry I realize this is not Yelp.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you, Anon. 3:27. I've given this Joe's a couple of tries and won't be going back, there was nothing special about it whatsoever, at least as far as I was concerned.
ReplyDeleteI felt same way about the new Joe's until last weekend. I stopped by and the first slice was so good I had a second one. I think the crust has improved a lot now it's certainly better than most other regular slices. Give it a try again.. I think the place looked a little bit too new at first but now the place is aging nicely.
ReplyDelete3:27 PM: Their crust is what sets them apart. Classic New York slice, which means it should be a bit tough and chewy so it reheats well and you can eat it as you're walking down the street...
ReplyDeleteJoe's Pizza sucks (all locations.) Great in name only now. Runny cheese, soupy sauce which pops out when you fold the slice, and cardboard crust plus they think who they are at the original location.
ReplyDeleteI went to the og one on Carmine Street after many years and received two slices with soupy tomato sauce, runny cheese, and cardboard crust. When I folded the first slice 500*F sauce popped out and almost burned my hand.
The best slice below 14th Street is Ben's Pizzeria at MacDougal and W.3rd Streets a block east of 6th Avenue while the best pie below 14th is John's Pizzeria on Bleecker Street between 6th and 7th Avenues.
Wait until Mandolino opens, it's not then NY style pizza, it's going to be Napolitan style pizza, our pizza chef came directly from Naples, we will keep you all posted
ReplyDeleteI know the owners of this place. You'll come for the pizza and stay for the service!
ReplyDelete