Motorino in Manhattan
So yesterday my gf and i had some errands to run in St. Marks area so we decided to eat small bits here and there.
First off was Baoguette... I was reminded why i loved that place so much. Then the Pork Buns at Momofuku... haven't had one in awhile so just went to Milk Bar to get that, some cookies and a crack pie for later.
Then we went to Motorino's on 12th street. After hearing all the rave on SE / Slice (for the one in Brooklyn) I decided to try it... we ordered the Margherita. Since we had already eaten a pork bun and half a sandwich, we ordered just one pie (plus it was like 5:00 pm so no one was there), but the guy working there gave us a weird look and said in the back "they just want one... no, that's it... just give them one.." in a tone that made me feel like I was doing something wrong... then the pizza was not as good as I expected. The 5 cheese blops we had (i counted) was delicious but the sauce was under-seasoned. The crust was good, and all in all the pizza was definitely above average but nowhere near the reviews. For $14 for 4 slices, I expect a little more (at least in taste).
In any case, maybe this was a bad night? Maybe the one in Manhattan is just not as good as the one in Brooklyn? Anyone else have a similar experience?
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23 Comments:
To be honest, I think they've slipped a lot. I visit NYC (and Motorino) about once a month, and the last 2 or 3 times I've left disappointed. When the Brooklyn shop first opened, everything was near-perfect. Recently, I've noticed they are putting less cheese on the pies than before. Last time I went I ordered the Margherita DOC, I only had 4 small cheese "blops" on my pie (Manhattan location). I am not one for excess cheese, but this was just too little. Additionally, the sauce seemed very "dried out" and flavorless.
On my trip before that, I ordered the Pugliese (Brooklyn location). I counted just two "blops" of Burrata on the entire pie. Not even one per slice! Additionally, the broccolini was bitter and the chiles almost non-existent.
I'm not sure what's going on over there and maybe my last two trips were on "off" nights (a Wednesday and Saturday, respectively). If Matthieu is reading, please look into these issues and bring back the Motorino that I knew and loved!
Otherwise, off to Paulie Gee's I go :)
Chris S at 4:28PM on 11/09/09
The sauce was very flavorful on each of the Margheritas I've had at the 12th Street location. The best pie in the city as far as I'm concerned. Am I allowed to comment anymore?
Ciao,
Paulie Gee
pauliegee at 8:55AM on 11/10/09
Paulie- Your days as a commentator are over!! We all want to know more about your store now. What kind of oven, who's gonna make the cheese. You are now longer seated in the back of the pizza bus, you just became the driver. Ps let's see who you think the best pizza is after you open.
captpizza at 10:19AM on 11/10/09
"Paulie- Your days as a commentator are over!!"
That's gonna take some gettin' used to.
"We all want to know more
about your store now."
Patience. I will tell you that the December target date is quite a challenge.
"What kind of oven...."
Stefano Ferrara.
" who's gonna make the cheese....."
Haven't decided yet.
"You are now longer seated in the back of the pizza bus, you just became
the driver. Ps let's see who you think the best pizza is after you
open."
I am no longer a commentor. Enough about me. This post is about Motorino.
Ciao,
Former Slice Commentor Paulie Gee
pauliegee at 11:29AM on 11/10/09
I definitely won't be going back. Maybe the Brooklyn location if I ever make it there, but definitely not the 12th street. Nothing here has convinced me that I should go for a second shot.
Thanks for your comments.
sushiburger at 12:07PM on 11/10/09
Been to the Brooklyn one a handful of times and it was always overrated.
TrashedOut at 12:13PM on 11/10/09
We went there yesterday for lunch. Thought it was good enough - but if I were being really critical, it wasn't nearly as good as the Brooklyn one which we went last about 3 months ago. The crust under the topping was too thin and soggy. I would go back, but not in any rush to.
http://lunchstudio.blogspot.com/2009/11/motorino-with-eg-and-bb.html
pickle at 12:15PM on 11/10/09
Well said pauliegee.Maybe Slice / SE will give you your on page on here and stop threads reverting to "Paulie Gee" spamotionals!
seriouspizza at 12:15PM on 11/10/09
I haven't been to the Manhattan location but have never been disappointed in the Brooklyn one.
bobbob at 1:48PM on 11/10/09
I've been to the Manhattan one four times now and always been happy. Service has actually been stellar, especially compared to the previous occupant's.
We always get the spicy soppressata and the "white" pie. I wasn't really thrilled with the margherita or the butternut squash ones. The brussels sprouts one is good and was actually better the 2nd time we tried it.
Count me in as a happy customer.
kathryn at 2:45PM on 11/10/09
I went recently, and actually pickle, I agree with you about the crust being a little too thin and soggy... like a wet papertowel, just barely strong enough to stay in one piece under the toppings. That said, it was delicious and I felt the flavors were all spot-on. The lunch special is a great deal too, I would get it again.
Of course you can still comment Paulie, but I suspect you won't have much time to, soon!
Big B at 4:14PM on 11/10/09
@Big B Soon? Already.
Ciao,
PG
pauliegee at 4:19PM on 11/10/09
Love to hear from Paulie anytime he has a moment. Motorino Manhattan up for next NYC visit - need to try based on the differences in opinion and nostalgia for UPN
stillrides at 4:24PM on 11/10/09
@stillrides There's always Twitter.
Ciao,
Paulie Gee
pauliegee at 4:59PM on 11/10/09
I've only been once (and never to the Bklyn location), but I thought it was pretty up there in terms of a good pie. That being said, they forgot to put garlic on my pie, which as a pregnant woman who is craving massive quantities of garlic, annoyed me. Service was good though as they were apologetic.
Now on to the crust - I thought it was a little too burnt and crunchy so I find these comments about it being too soggy interesting. Still, the cheese was sufficient and the sauce was flavorful and aplenty.
@sushiburger - I love the idea of "eat small bits here and there" in St. Marks. Yum.
nithya at hungrydesi at 11:40AM on 11/11/09
@nithya at hungrydesi: It's awesome... Next weekend: Burger from song 7.2, ramen @ ippudo (if the line is short enough, otherwise setagaya), slice @ artichoke and dessert @ milk bar.... can't wait...
I also second the soggy crust... my sauce / cheese was dropping everywhere...
sushiburger at 11:17AM on 11/12/09
I had truly extraordinary pizza at the Manhattan Motorino two days ago for lunch. I ordered three pies, the brussels sprouts and pancetta, spicy soppressata, and a margherita. The crust was slightly chewy and crisp on the outside and tender on the inside.The crusts were not soggy at all. I brought them back to SE World HQ and everyone seemed to agree that this was world-class pizza.
Ed Levine at 1:28PM on 11/12/09
@sushi burger: What is your favorite pizza in manhattan?
I love motorino although I do think their crust can be a bit poofy. I grew up in Florence. Motorino's pie reminds me of one of my favorite pizza places from home.
sherrypie at 2:42PM on 11/12/09
In Manhattan? Hmm.... I like Patsy's, Artichoke, Totonno, Pizza 33... and while this is less conventional of a pizza.. i really like Nina's on the UES... it's not a New York style pizza... but the pipping hot cheese.. and the oddly pizza-hut like crust... i don't know.. it's really good...
But with Motorino.. 3 of my friends asked me how it was today.. and I cannot recommend Motorino's to anybody I know..... Maybe because I didn't order more than just one pizza? Maybe bad night? in any case... i was disappointed... I would try Motorino's again.. as long as I'm not buying.. :)
sushiburger at 5:36PM on 11/12/09
I went there recently for lunch, and for me (at least), it committed two of the cardinal sins that no restaurant should ever commit - don't advertise a lunch (or any) special on your website if you don't actually do it, and charge prices significantly higher than what is listed on the menu posted on your website. Motorino did both, and while my Sopresseta pizza was tasty and the crust was very very good it had too little cheese and sopresseta and too much liquidy (though very good) tomato sauce. Not going back. At all.
jgelfand at 8:13PM on 11/14/09
My wife and I were there a month ago. Service was great. The flavors were great. I like a nice charred crust, but they were a little burnt in my opinion. I have only been there once, I would go back anytime.
dsgreco at 2:44PM on 11/17/09
I agree with you. was there two night ago and had the margherita. Very good crust. poor toppings, by which I mean not enough of all and too much oil.
Alex_of_Troy at 10:28PM on 11/19/09
Motorino's pizza is very close to the napolitano pizza I grew up with in Italy. It's not American-style pizza. I understand it's different. I love it! If the chef is there, he inspects the pies. I've seen him throw away pies that were too charred.
sherrypie at 11:26AM on 11/20/09