Alici Pizza

by Nancy Matsumoto
August 11, 2011

Motorino
349 E 12th St
New York, NY 10003
212-777-2644

Nancy Matsumoto

One might argue, as my son did, that this is not really pizza at all, but more like bruschetta. There’s something to that interpretation, because the dough is drizzled with olive oil and garlic, blasted in the oven until it’s blistered, and then sprinkled with fresh Italian buffalo mozzarella, halved cherry tomatoes, black olives, slivers of red onion, white anchovy and parsley. Whatever you call it, this salad-on-a-cracker assemblage is refreshing. The dough doesn’t get soggy as it does when slathered with marinara. Instead, the crispiness and char of the crust play off the creamy freshness of the cheese and the lovely salty accents of anchovy and olive. Also, the parsley doesn’t play an annoying garnish role, but is integral to the flavor combinations. Only available in summer months, this is a dish I’d go back for.

Also in East Village, Italian, Pizza