Cronkite Pizzeria and Wine Bar
Address:
133 Norfolk St (near Rivington)
City:
New York, NY
Zip:
10002
Phone:
(212) 375-1500
Map:
Map
Cuisine:
Pizza
2nd Cuisine:
Wine Bars
Area:
Lower East Side
Review:
In a city where competition for good pizza is fierce, Cronkite Pizza and Wine Bar truly delivers.
You can tell by the care given to the restaurant itself. It's located in a basement, but you'd never know it. It's airy and just as appetizing as the pies, and friendly service.
We sat at the bar nibbling on free olives while waiting for our Vongole pie. The olives, green and black, were fresh and smothered with rosemary. They went perfectly with a glass of red selected by the bartender (The wine list is extensive) as we waited for our pie.
What arrived was a thin crust, crispy pie smothered with mozzarella, baby clams, chucks of garlic and fresh oregano leaves. The clams, still in the shell, were plump and the juices drizzled onto the pie as they were removed. It was divine! In fact, I would put on par, if not better, than the clam pie we tried at Otto, run by Mario Batali. On my next visit, I'd like to try the fennel sausage, tomato and mozzarella pie, or maybe the spinach pie topped with mozzarella, ricotta, pine nuts and truffle oil. Small pies run from $9 to $14 ($15-$22 lg) with the exception of the Tartufo, topped with black truffles, fontina, mozzarella and ricotta. It runs a hefty $34 for a small pie and $50 for a large.
Desserts include Italian favorites like tiramisu and spumoni or you can opt for espresso with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
To owner and pizzaiolo Michael Ayoub we've just got one word - BRAVO!
Review By: Sam Sayegh
Went there twice since it's opened. I'm hooked. Got to be the best pizza in the city. Delicious, plentiful appetizers as well.Save room for desserts which are just scrumptious. I am not a commissoeur of wines but I do eat out at least 4 nights a week and the ones a drank by the glass were exceptional (not your usual vinegry table wine). I read somplace that the owner also has a place in Williamsburg which was voted as having the best pizza in all 5 boros. Great atmosphere. I'll be back for more.
November 17, 2006, 8:24.07 pm ET
amazing addition to the LES
my friends and I had dinner here and loved it. The pizza was excellent with all sorts of interesting and fresh toppings. There was a huge wine list, and our total bill was very reasonable. We go out a lot on the LES, and will definitely be making this a regular stop for dinner!
November 6, 2006, 2:08.16 am ET