apizz
217 Eldridge St., Lower East Side, NY
map & more
Neighborhood
Lower East Side
Nearby
Arlene's Grocery
Bowery Ballroom
Mercury Lounge
Pianos
Rockwood Music Hall
212-253-9199
I’ve got some kind of crazy karma going with ápizz. Every time I go, it’s amazing. The perfect table seems to magically appear without reservations and the food is always spot on. On top of that, there is an X factor that exists within the walls of ápizz that can take an average night and turn it into the start of something memorable, perhaps even legendary. The staff is friendly and if you have to wait, there’s a small bar area away from the tables to hang out. It’s not a raucous place, but for an intimate setting there’s definitely a tangible vibe that’s positive and humming with satisfaction. If you’re making a reservation for 4-6, definitely ask about getting one of the two downstairs tables.
ápizz is the kind of place that you have to know about to go to, mostly due to the fact that it’s hidden on a residential block west of Ludlow’s overcrowded and oversaturated LES headquarters. There ápizz sits patiently, hangin’ out by itself on Eldridge, waiting for your discovery.
Food Rundown:
Insalata di Spinaci
This is a really nice sized starter salad with chopped up baby spinach, cannelloni beans, pistachios (always underrated in a salad) and a really sweet lemon-honey vinaigrette.
Apizz Margherita/Apizz Bianca
Apizz pizzas are great. Just be aware that they are not small, so don’t fill up on them if you plan to order one of the generously sized entrees. If you’re with a group, definitely get a pizza as one of your appetizers.
Razza: Oven-Baked Skate Fish
I sit at work daydreaming about this dish on a daily basis. Skate is usually bland, plain, light, and boring. This is the complete opposite. The skate comes served in a pan, swimming in a combo of white wine, lemon, capers, and breadcrumbs, and is accompanied by some crispy potato slices. The flavors are perfectly constructed to bring out everything this white fish has to offer and the result is by far and away the best skate dish you will ever eat.
Lasagna Cinghiale
Lasagna served with a ragu of braised wild boar? Sounds like the John Locke/Lost survival special. Rich, filling, and sure to magically bring you back to life.
Gnocchi con Ragu di Carne
Things I love: homemade gnocchi and slow cooked beef. Combine the two and serve as a big fat plate of pasta, potato, and braised short rib beef, and I won’t be speaking for the next 20 minutes while I do work like Rob & Big until my plate is clean.
