Campo de' Fiori (new pizza restaurant) on 5th/Berkeley

belzjm

Subject: Campo de' Fiori (new pizza restaurant) on 5th/Berkeley

it's open....lots of press...


http://newyork.grubstreet.com/2010/05/campo_de_fiori_introduces_roma.html

http://newyork.grubstreet.com/2010/07/campo_de_fiori_opens_serving_r.html

http://www3.timeoutny.com/newyork/the-feed-blog/restaurants-bars/2010/07/the-feed-first-look-campo-de-fiori/

http://nymag.com/listings/restaurant/campo-de-fiori/

http://newyork.metromix.com/restaurants/venue/campo-de-fiori-park-slope/2067698/content

pitu

Impressive hype machine ^^^
Carnivore, Mami, I'll meet you there.

benyankee

I went last night, and I thought the food was delicious. Split the antipasto plate and a bufalo mozzarella pizza for a total bill of $28. There's still no wine/beer license, but I think it's BYO in the meantime. The owner is very nice, and the food is authentic and good. I'm sure it'll be very popular once word of mouth starts to spread.

jamzer

Hey Ben - good to see you here. I'm a big fan of your Yankee blog - River Avenue Blues.

My first thought about this place was ... "ugh! - ANOTHER pizza place". But if a Yankee fan like Ben likes it, I'm sold. Can't wait to go.

pastoralia

Was gonna go tonight but they don't have a liquor license and since they applied for one the city won't allow customers to BYOB. They said they applied for it last night and think "they'll get it next week." I don't think they know how liquor licenses work here in NYC.

prezst

excellent food.. but whatever you do, don't ask 'em to heat-up the slices.

MOD

^ Are they a 'by the slice' joint?
Did they burn it?

zebra

The slices are only available at lunchtime

MOD

Anyone been lately, I might check it out tonight.

Any bad reviews?

MOD

I answered my own question. I herby rename this place Campo de Crapoli!

Margherita pizza $13 +tax+tip

Personal pizza size, not enough for 2 to share. Equals 4 small slices.

Crust was crunchy and thick -that was fine in my book.

Sauce was plentiful but lacked flavor -maybe adding a drizzle of good EVOO or some oregano/garlic or something would be nice..

Cheeese was NOT fresh mozzarella. It was just melty white-cheese and *very little* of it. The slice was mostly all sauce and crust. Real mozz is to be expected, total let down.

Overpriced and really boring in flavor. I'm not a pizza snob. I love 99 Cent Pizza and my Lucali's. But this was a let down. The space is warm, inviting, well lit. It is small in there so you get a nice intimate feel. But the pizza was just so damn bland that I would have rather bought a margherita pizza at Tomato and Basil or even Roma and enjoyed it at home over a bottle of wine instead (plus I'd have been full and still had leftovers if I went with the latter.)

Maybe enjoying some wine there with a platter of cured meats or cheeses might be the way to go, I wouldn't know, but avoid the pizza unless you care less what you put in your mouth. I wont be back. Too many other places in walking distance that are much better.

petitchou

I've never had the pizza, but really like the gnocchi and saltimbocca. To me what's best about this place is that the owner is a sommelier so he does great pairings of wine with main dishes. The apps are delicious too. And the apple strudel is a good dessert, not too sweet. The atmosphere is warm, due mainly to the attentive staff.

danny hellman

We ate here once a few months back and were not blown away. The pizza was just OK, and overpriced. We were stunned by the Sweet Onions & Balsamic Vinegar side at $5, which turned out to be three caramelized pearl onions in a tiny glass vial. There are so many better, cheaper pizza options in this neighborhood.

prezst

i disagree with the criticism. the food and service are quite good..the owner has never failed to stop by to say hello..and i am impressed that they fly-in many of their ingredients from italy, for extra authenticity.

jamzer

I agree with you prezst. I think some folks go there expecting neapolitan style pizza with its generous helping of mozzarella cheese. I like that Roman style pizza is light on the mozz. Campo's bacon pizza is a thing of pure beauty! I also think the wine list is good and affordable and the service has always been nice when I've been.

MOD

There was no mozz, it was like some Jack cheese. I didn't expect neapolitan, like I said, I'm not a pizza snob, but I do love a good slice, and Campo was just not good at all.

jamzer

I forgot to mention the Lussuria pizza which has prosciutto di parma. Very nice as well....

shacked26

Mamacita I echo your thoughts on this place. Went a few months back and while impressed with the service the food was sub par. Our meat and cheese board was good but not worth the price. Our pizza was just OK. For sure not worth the price tag attached and with places like Lucali's and South BK pizza around I haven't been back. Staff was great there though so its unfortunate that the food is lack luster.

danny hellman

Lucali fans in the South Slope: Giuseppina is open, and the calzones are INSANELY GOOD.

joehill

I thought this place was super bland and boring. I wasn't expecting neopolitan pizza, but it just wasn't good at all.

I was equally disappointed with Pete's Pizza. The crust was really bland and the sauce was way too sweet or something. You would think that with the year that it took them to open up they could have refined their recipe more.

I had South Brooklyn Pizza on 1st St last night and was impressed. I will probably still order La Villa for a whole pie, but it's nice to have a great slice place around.

MOD

The new South Brooklyn Pizza next door to Cherry Tree on 4th is perfect for a regular slice. They're owned by the same people as the bar so you can order food and get it brought to you next door. They also have free unlimited italian hot peppers and roasted garlic that you can add to any slice (FTW!!!)

Need to try Giuseppina soon. Danny, did the calzone taste like Lucali's version?

danny hellman

Lucali's and Giuseppina's calzones struck me as much the same, (i.e. transcendent), but I don't remember my Lucali calzone coming with the hefty sprig of fragrant oregano & heap of fresh basil that accompanied Giuseppina's. Needless to say, the side of dipping sauce is a must. My take on both places: like the pizza, LO-O-O-VE the calzones.

shacked26

Next time you have a Lucali's calzone, order it after your pie and put a little honey on it. Trust me. It will change your whole perspective on shit.