Comments (0) BEST GOURMET PIZZA - 2007

Pizza Nea

Pizza is an extremely personal passion. Some people are eternally faithful to the fast-food pie purveyors while others refuse to touch anything that isn't fresh out of a wood-fired oven and sprinkled artfully with goat cheese. If you find yourself in the latter category, then Pizza Nea is the place to satisfy your Neapolitan dreams. The crust maintains a balance of crispy and chewy texture, and the toppings, while rarely startling, are fresh and appropriate. The rosso (red) varieties feature tangy crushed San Marzano tomatoes, and the star here is the Caprino e Treccione ($10.95), a Mediterranean mélange of smoked mozzarella, artichokes, sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, and, yes, goat cheese. Among the blanco (white) offerings is the sturdy Rucola ($9.95), a fine match for the muscular ingredients including arugula and prosciutto. Pizza Nea also has some basics on its menu—the exceptional Margherita ($7.50) is a basil celebration—and all of the pizzas can be turned into hearty calzones. Salads, antipasti, and of course, a good wine list, complete your gourmet fix. These aren't dorm-scale pizzas, it should be said, but savor each bite and you won't miss that breakfast slice.