Motorino Man

That's me. I am still lamenting the loss of the legendary Uno Pizza Napoleotana on 12th street in the East Village, but the new occupants are doing everything they can to live up to those impeccably high standards. With the original pizza oven still in use, Motorino Pizza has taken over and are making their mark.

I've been three times now, and each time the pizza has been close to perfect. The New York Times has called it the "city's best pizza," and I'm not going to argue with that. The crust is cooked in the blazing heat of a wood fire, and emerges from the oven perfectly crisp, but also pillowy and soft. The pies come out hot and fast, so be ready to eat once your order is placed. Prices range from a $9 simple Marinara to $16-17 for the Soppresata Picante and Cremini and Sweet Sausage. The immensely popular Brussels Sprout pizza (smoked pancetta / mozzarella / garlic / pecorino) is $15, and pictured here. It is absolutely mouth-watering. Motorino is at 349 East 12th Street, near First Avenue, and open every day from 11am-midnight. Highly recommended.