The polls are in and the Village Voice Best of NYC 2009 issue is out on newsstands this week, claiming Bushwick’s homegrown pizza joint, Roberta’s, is the best place to get Neapolitan-style pizza in the city.
While the honor levitates Roberta’s above competitors like Motorino and La Pizza Fresca, the Voice reporters seem a bit skeptical (and sometimes ignorant) about what real Naples pizza is all about. They describe the world’s original pizza as “unbelievably bland” and even a “restaurateur’s conspiracy to sell you less pizza for more money.” But the truth is we’re in America, where any food item that’s of a slightly higher standard becomes gourmet/luxury/edible gold and is subsequently overpriced to adhere to this nonsensical hype.
I’ve been to a few famous pizza places in Naples and don’t ever remember paying more than 5 Euros for a margherita. Also, any good pizzaiolo will tell you plain pizza is the hardest to make because you can’t rely on toppings to carry the flavor. The beauty of a margherita pizza comes from within, from the proper mixture of quality tomatoes, mozzarella di bufala and fresh basil, all sitting atop a thin, slightly charred crust that flops down when held with one hand.
So screw you, Village Voice, for ridiculing Napoli’s gift to the universe simply because, like everything else, it’s expensive in New York. But I do wonder if this will up the waiting time to be seated at Roberta’s – every time I’ve tried to eat there I was told there was an hour wait, so I have yet to sample this neighborhood delight. Maybe one day I’ll get in, and when it finally happens, I’ll take a side of roasted bone marrow with my pizza.
Brandon October 27th, 2009 at 12:26 pm
Seriously, I have tried going there twice since I moved in, and always a wait. Good for them, but I hate it when things get hyped by the press/foodies.
sweetser October 27th, 2009 at 12:45 pm
Speaking of getting hyped, TONY did a spot on Northeast Kingdom in this week’s issue on “where to eat in the boroughs”.
Brandon October 27th, 2009 at 12:54 pm
The real problem is that the press/foodies continually write about the same few places over and over because they heard about it from other press/foodies. Plus there seem to be certain “types” of establishments that get favored easily (hint: anything “New American,” sustainable, by a “known” restauranteur, involving “mixology”, etc.)… just kinda bums me out when neighborhood joints become citywide (and beyond) destinations so that you don’t even feel like braving them anymore. I can’t blame the owners of such places for wanting to have their place packed and their own smart promotion, but something sad when you live a few blocks from such a place nd can never eat there.
Andrew October 27th, 2009 at 4:28 pm
I was at Roberta’s last night and it was as fantastic as ever. I kid you not, though: Kirsten Dunst was dining there.
Bushwick is officially over!
Mjay October 27th, 2009 at 11:58 pm
Roberta’s has actually worked to improve their pizza:
when I first ate there they use from the jar peppers! yuck! and the dough was made of poor quality flour.
Now, big WOW. What an improvement! Super pizza, perfect
crust great toppings,all fresh. Am I am a big pizza skeptic having lived in Italy for many years.
May I also recommend my second fav pizza joint? L’asso
on the lower east side. Your mouth waters the moment you go in the door. You can get a slice there. It’s top notch.