Day 8, 2019: Sauce Pizzeria (E. Village, NYC)

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Interior

DAY 8: OCTOBER 8th, 2019

LOCATION: Sauce Pizzeria (345 E 12th St, New York, NY 10003)

GUEST(S): Matthew Shafeek

ORDER: 1 slice of cheese (tomato sauce, shredded mozzarella, parmigiano), half a slice of upside down cheese (slices of mozzarella, pecorino, tomato sauce, wild sicilian oregano, breadcrumbs), a few bites of the square vodka slice (mantecato sauce, fresh mozzarella), a few bites of Heritage Sausage (tomato sauce, red onion, olive oil, mozzarella, homemade sausage, garlic, parmesan), one bit of Al Pastor (mozzarella, tomato sauce, pineapple sauce, jalapeno, pickled red onion, roasted pork, cilantro, pecorino)

REVIEW: 
A new old style pizzeria. Bucking the trend of new pizzeria openings that tend to be either dollar slice counters or domed brick oven restaurants, Sauce Pizzeria provides an authentic throwback to the classic New York City slice joint. Entering beneath the red glow of the stereotypical neon sign a visitor is greeted by a surprisingly spacious dining area with a public restroom and windowed counter full of well-crafted slices. With already three locations in Manhattan, Sauce appears to have found a way to make the "old" business model work in even in neighborhoods where the rent is sky high. At the root of their success is a quality product.  Offering a handful of different pizzas each comprised of high quality ingredients ensures every patron leaves happy.  Even older looking slices are reinvigorated once reheated in the brand-spanking new gas powered ovens.  I particularly liked the fried cheese (frico) on the outside of the square slices. As a bonus, each order comes with a container of "Grandma's gravy." This little plastic bucket of red marinara sauce might be as close as some of will ever get to knowing what it must be like to have an Italian grandmother. It's a nice touch. I'm won over. See you soon, Sauce Pizzeria.


PHOTOS:

Options

Dining area

menu

Heritage Sausage

Upside down cheese

Al Pastor

cheese

Vodka square

Underside

Grandma's gravy

Day 8

MISCELLANEOUS:

Matt Shafeek and Sean Taylor

1. Matt Shafeek just got back from Japan!  Since his return, he has had three sold out shows: two for his improv team Metal Boy and one for the Armando Diaz Experience.

2. I have known Matt almost as long as anyone in New York City.  We used to be on one of the Magnet's first improv teams called Pax Romana and he was my sidekick on my talkshow The Spotlight with Sean Taylor (this site has been updated in over a decade).

RATING:

 3.89/5

• VALUE:
   4/5


• AMBIENCE:
   3/3


• TASTE:
   7/10


• SERVICE: N/A

14/18 = .778 x 5 = 3.89