Otto Enoteca Pizzeria: Review

When the wait at Eataly’s Pizza and Pasta dining area was 90 minutes we decided we could venture downtown to get our Batali fix at Otto Enoteca Pizzeria (5^th Avenue & 8^th Street).  This was my first trip to Otto and as soon as we stepped inside the restaurant’s ambiance impressed me.  We were seated right away (Sunday around 4pm).

Salumi, Prosciutto, Pancetta, Coppa, Testa

The server was friendly and had a ton of suggestions and really knew his way around the menu.  We started with my favorite kind of antipasto – a meat platter of Prosciutto, Pancetta, Coppa, Testa & Salami.  All of the meats were awesome except Testa.  For those of you that don’t speak Italian Testa means Head and yes it was Head Cheese. I had a few awful experiences with Testa in the past but decided to try it again… still GROSS (for those of you who don’t know the definition of head cheese is a meat jelly made with flesh from the head of a calf or pig).  Out of the things I have tried I think Head Cheese/Testa is the most repulsive and I still do not like it.  But hey four out of five of the meats were delicious.

For the main course we ordered two pizzas:

The Margherita D.O.P. (Tomato, Bufala Mozzarella and Basil)

Buffalo Mozzarella, Basil, Tomato Sauce

Quattro Stagione (Four Seasons, tomato & mozzarella served with one-quarter of each: swiss chard, mushrooms, peppers, cotto)

Squash, Ham, Mushrooms & Peppers

Both of the pizzas came to our table piping hot.  The mix of a perfectly cooked crust, great tasting sauce and delicious toppings hit the spot.

The waiter told us we couldn’t leave without trying the homemade gelato.  They have about 10 flavors) we tried Salty Peanut and Vanilla.  They were so creamy and had just the right amount of sweetness for the perfect post meal dessert.

There are many other dishes on the menu (most for under $10) including vegetable sides, pasta dishes, about 12 different pizzas, various cheeses.  I plan on coming back multiple times to try many other dishes. Don’t get me wrong there are definitely better places to get pizza in the city but this is a trip worth making.

Good:

Delicious Food

Affordable Prices

Friendly Service

Homemade Gelato

Bad:

I have nothing bad to say about this place except if you have friends that don’t like pizza or pasta (1. you shouldn’t be friends with them) but they probably will not enjoy it.

Review: 4/5 Stars