Rubirosa

235 Mulberry St., Nolita, NY

8.4

map & more

Neighborhood
Nolita

Cuisine
Italian
Pizza

Nearby
Bowery Ballroom

212-965-0500

Official Website

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By Chris Stang
April 7, 2011

Lately we’ve been hearing a whole lot of buzz about how Nolita is officially the new “it” neighborhood in New York for restaurants. I suppose we’re even guilty of helping create some of it. Also, note that I just used the term “it” neighborhood, which means we have officially jumped the shark. You might as well be reading this in Time Out.

But there is some truth to what everyone is talking (and writing) about. Some really excellent restaurants now populate this part of town, including this new super-hip-but-also-sort-of-classic Italian joint called Rubirosa.

Two guys named Angelo opened Rubirosa – one whose family owns a legendary pizza place in Staten Island, and the other a once well-known doorman at The Beatrice Inn. Nightlife and pizza!? Sounds like a sure-fire recipe for something that will make us angry. But it doesn’t. Rubirosa is actually an excellent little restaurant that has one of the best pies in town – a vodka sauce pizza that’s an old family recipe (see us here, trying not to burn the place down while we make one). And not only is the food here very good, but they have managed to create a great atmosphere that makes you want to hang out and drink, devoid of any of that d*ckish attitude that sometimes comes with a place that has been deemed a “hot spot.” We have actually found everyone that works in this place to be both friendly and accommodating. How accommodating? They have an extensive list of gluten free menu items and will make pizzas with whole wheat crust if you ask. You won’t catch a glare from your waiter or anything…even though you probably deserve one.

Photo Credit: Grub Street

Food Rundown:

Vodka Pizza
This is why you come to Rubirosa. A perfect pie with paper thin crispy crust, amazing vodka sauce, and fresh mozzarella. This is so incredibly good.

Classic Pizza
An “original 50 year old recipe” of red sauce dotted with fresh mozzarella. We like this one too, but it’s not as special as the vodka pizza.

Arugula Pizza
Not our favorite pie, but this one seems to be popular. Basically, it’s arugula piled high with cherry tomato and parmesan, then drizzled with balsamic. It’s good, but we’re still all hung up on the vodka sauce.

Meatball Bruschetta
So this is “bruschetta” only in the sense that there is some bread involved. It’s really more of a delicious open-faced meatball slider, and I felt compelled to see how many I could fit in my mouth at once. The answer is one.

Duck & Carmelized Onion Bruschetta
Another winner in the bruschetta department. Sweet and savory in all the right places. Get this.

Brocolli Rabe & Sausage Bruschetta
This one doesn’t really stay together, was light on sausage, and the flavor didn’t blow us away. Skip it.

Ricotta Ravioli
We loved this. A perfect ravioli stuffed with ricotta and served with diced squash and zucchini. The large pasta portions are huge, so beware. Go big if you want, but you’re going to be really full.

Pappardelle with Sausage Ragu
There is a lot to like about the homemade pastas that Rubirosa throws down. This one was good, but there are others that will leave a stronger impression.