Day 12, 2015: Prova (Chelsea, NYC)

DAY 12: OCTOBER 12th, 2015

LOCATION: Prova (184 8th Ave, Chelsea, NYC)

GUEST(S): Jon Monje

ORDER: 2 slices of Margherita, 2 slices of Prova (Zucchine Puree, Burrata, Speck and Parmigiano Reggiano)

REVIEW: 
3rd time's a charm! Prova isn't the first pizzeria to inhabit 184 8th Avenue (see Donatella and Heartwood) but it is the first one to boast with a slogan "90 seconds to Naples." This refers to the amount of time it takes to prepare and cook an authentic Neapolitan pizza (Vera Pizza Napoletana). But at Prova, it is not just the cooking techniques that teleport patrons to Italy. The Stefano Ferrara wood burning oven, the hostess, our waiter, the top shelf ingredients, the fine wine are also Italian imports. Stepping into Prova is a portal to Naples in more like zero seconds.  Donatella Arpaia's evolved restaurant concept teams master pizza chef Pasquale Cozzolino with Keste's founder Rosario Procino to create a chic new pizzeria nice enough to take a date, and tasty enough to ensure a good time even if there is no spark. The pizza menu includes favorites like the traditional Margherita as well as creative signature pies like, the namesake, the Prova.  Layered with a brilliant green zucchini puree and topped with the creamiest burrata cheese, savory speck and thinly sliced parmigiano reggiano, the unconventional combination melts in your mouth as it gently pleases every known taste bud and then some. It's not the cheap slice joint around the corner but it certainly is less expensive than a trip to Naples.

PHOTOS:

Wood-burning oven

Margherita

Prova

Day 12

A slice of Margherita

Underside

Flashing the underside

MISCELLANEOUS:

Jon Monje

1. Jon Monje was one of the founders of the UCB Pizza Club. I am a proud member and love the fact that there is a club dedicated to pizza loving improv comedians.

2. I performed with Apt. 33 as a Canadian.  This involved me singing a song and speaking in an accent.  These are two things I never would have thought I would be cast to do and now I can't wait to do it again!
3. Mets beat the Dodgers decidedly in game three of the NLDS. By some stroke of luck I was able to score a ticket to the Mets-Dodgers game four. It wasn't just luck.  It was also a sum of money I have never paid for a single baseball game. #letsgomets

RATING:

  4.41/5

• VALUE:
   4/5


• AMBIENCE:
   3/3


• TASTE:
   8.5/10


• SERVICE:
  
•  3/3

18.5/21 = .881 x 5 = 4.41