31 Days of Pizza: Day 17, 2021: Salsa Pizzeria Napoletana & Street Food (Greenpoint, Brooklyn)

DAY 17: OCTOBER 17th, 2021

LOCATION: Salsa Pizzeria Napoletana & Street Food (40 Clifford Place Greenpoint, New York 11222)

GUEST(S): Amanda Xeller, Michael McLarnon, Oliver

ORDER: 2 slices of Vegetariana (Black olives, caramelized onions, sweet peppers cream, basil, mozzarella), 1 slice of Margherita (Organic tomato sauce, mozzarella, basil, parm.), 2 slices of Salsiccia and Friarielli Pizza (Broccoli rabe pesto, with parm, walnuts, garlic, evoo, sausage, mozzarella)

REVIEW:

New pie on the block. Leave it to Greenpoint, Brooklyn and the people behind Salsa Pizzeria Napoletana & Street Food to substitute a Naples sidewalk cafe where you might expect a typical slice joint. Let the red checkered tablecloths on the outdoor seating lure you in but there's no hiding the giant domed brick oven. Don't expect slices, Salsa sells its pizzas by the pie, like they do in Naples. And the pizzaiolo (pizza chef) behind the counter knows what he's doing. After about 90 seconds, each expertly topped pie exits the hot burning oven with just the right amount of leoparding (oven-kissed char) around the cornicione (outer edge). The recipes are solid and, with time, I expect the masses will follow. Although it is likely a function of being new, the underside of the pizza was a bit too thin to support the high quality toppings. Until the flimsy foundation is firmed up, I recommend sticking to the most traditional Neapolitan pizza of them all, the Margherita. The fresh mozzarella and Parmigiano Reggiano combine so elegantly with the tomato sauce and basil, you might feel as if you are temporarily transported to Italy. Much like a trip to Italy, be prepared to pay significantly more for Salsa's personal sized pie than you would for a couple of New York slices. The menu also sports other tasty sounding "street food" which is appropriate since, aside from a couple of stools, most of the seats are outside. Fortunately, it is a relatively quiet street creating a chill vibe in this new neighborhood spot. I am very excited to come back and see what Salsa Pizzeria Napoletana does next!

PHOTOS:

Day 17

Interior

Vegetariana pie

Margherita

Salsiccia and Friarielli pie

underside

logo

MISCELLANEOUS:

Amanda, Michael, Sean, Oliver (not pictured)

1. Amanda Xeller happened to be walking Oliver (an adorable puppy) at the McCarren Dog Park when my softball game (also at McCarren) ended. Michael McLarnon, who lives in the neighborhood, hopped on a citibike and met us at the pizzera in no time flat.