Otto Enoteca and Pizzeria
New York, NY 10003
Phone: (212) 995-9559
- Price:
- $$
- Cross Street:
- 8th Street
- Directions:
- A, C, E, F, V at W 4th St; N, R at 8th St
- Specialties:
- Italian Food, Pizza
- Hours:
- Daily 11:30am-12am
Editorial Review for Otto Enoteca and Pizzeria – by Allison Austin
The Scene
Bartenders, sporting jeans and button-down shirts, pour quartinos (quarter bottle pours, served in mini-carafes) of Italian wine to the casually dressed crowds waiting, and waiting, for a table. Walls in the dining rooms are painted a warm terra-cotta, subtly encouraging a boisterous noise level.
The Menu
One can, and should, make a meal of the excellent antipasti: roast cauliflower with olives; fresh artichokes; sweet eggplant caponatina; and that excellent prosciutto, which arrives, as it should, at room temperature. Indulge in as much gelato as possible--the olive oil version is brilliant; the chocolate is without peer. But skip the pizzas: Despite being topped with house-cured, buttery prosciutto, pungent Taleggio, tender meatballs and the like, they're simply not very good. The thin crust, first griddled and then broiled to warm the toppings, is acceptable straight out of the kitchen, but becomes tough and unpleasant as it cools.
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Insider Tips
Know Before You GoThose lucky enough to snag a stool at the bar should stay put and dine amid the bar's people-watching bustle.
What to DrinkQuartinos range from $8 to $27, and bartenders will pour samples. The bottle list is a bargain, with numerous good Italian bottles priced less than $30. The selection of Barolos is especially good.
The ExtrasThe short list of cheese pairings are excellent, particularly Coach Farm cheese partnered with superb tomato jam.
User Reviews for Otto Enoteca and Pizzeria
08/13/2008 Posted by josephti
I had the pasta special, and my friend had spaghetti carbonara. I am a salty vs. sweet type food person, and yet, I still found both pastas to be very salty. We also started with the special bruschetta of the day, which was described as a green pea and pancetta bruschetta. It was two huge pieces of french bread with liquified green peas slathered on, topped with five tiny slivers of bacon. I was definitely expecting more from a celebrity chef restaurant. The scene is great and the prices were surprisingly cheap, but I won't be coming back.
Pros: Wine list, cheap prices
Cons: Salty pasta
07/28/2008 Posted by chiway
Fantastic pizza with a great selection of small dishes and wines to complement your slice at the fun, boisterous wine bar or the sit down, undo your belt buckle, get ready for a fat fest, inviting dining room. Whether you wanna hang out after work for a drink or come here for a family dinner it's all good baby. Eat here. It's a good time. P.S. Mario Batali is my hero.
