Motorino pizza in the East Village, NYC, New York


image of Motorino pizza in the East Village, NYC, New York

With a name like Motorino, who would have thought it was a pizza place? One would have thought it was related to an automobile or motorbike! Yes, Motorino is indeed a pizza place that started in 2008 in Williamsburg and opened some outposts in the East Village and...Hong Kong!

We found it while going to Luzzo's that is so far my favorite for Neapolitan pizza. So my expectations were high!!!
image of Motorino pizza in the East Village, NYC, New York

The place seems small from outside, but it can cater to a reasonable number of customers. The decor is simple and you cannot miss the beautiful pressed-metal ceiling. 
image of Wood fire oven at Motorino pizza in the East Village, NYC, New York

In the back is the kitchen, with the wood fire oven where they cook their pizza. 

The menu is small and you will not find there twenty different types of pizza. They also have a short list of appetizers, but know that their meatballs are apparently only available after 2pm (we went there for brunch and wanted to try them...They should mention that on the menu!). 

So, the pizza are small size pies, 4 slices, similar in size, if not slightly smaller from the pizza that you would get in France for one person. 


We decided to try the Margherita pizza:


image of Margherita pizza at Motorino pizza in the East Village, NYC, New York

It is a simple pie, made with tomato sauce (probably raw when preparing the pizza considering the color and taste), mozzarella di bufala (my favorite), basil and olive oil. There, they also add pecorino cheese. 
image of Margherita pizza at Motorino pizza in the East Village, NYC, New York

Pizza might be the only dish when burnt is welcome and the outside of the pizza had a fantastic char and bubbles that made it extremely appetizing! I loved it: the ingredients tasted fresh and the crust, with (again) its char, although floppy, was deliciously crispy.

The second pizza we tried was their brunch pizza! Pizza Al'Uovo or pizza with an egg!
image of Brunch pizza at Motorino pizza in the East Village, NYC, New York

I think it is a great idea to marry the pizza with one of the favorite meal of many people: brunch! It was made of fior di latte (mozzarella from cow milk), an egg, basil, smoked pancetta, pecorino, basil (nice amount) and chili oil.
image of Brunch pizza at Motorino pizza in the East Village, NYC, New York

There again, fantastic char and bubbles, floppy but crispy crust. The egg was perfectly cooked, the yolk being a bit runny (I dipped the pizza in it). This was full of flavors, from the smokiness of the pancetta to the kick the chili oil gave to the dish, as well as the fresh basil. This was a great pizza!

I loved the pizza there and will definitely go back to try some other one. Maybe for dinner so I can have the meatballs! Motorino is definitely on the top of my list, after Luzzo's, for Neapolitan pizza!

Enjoy (I did)!

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And Remember: I Just Want To Eat!