Isabella's Oven
New York, NY 10002
Phone: (212) 529-5206
- Price:
- $$
- Cross Street:
- Between Essex Street and Norfolk Street
- Directions:
- F at Delancey St; J, M, Z at Essex St
- Hours:
- Daily 12pm-12am
Editorial Review for Isabella's Oven – by Justin Hartung
The Scene
The bright pink sign of this Lower East Side pizzeria stands out in contrast from the drab, single-story building. Inside, the tiny dining room doesn't provide much of a view beyond the brick oven, but in warm weather, the low-key, mostly local crowd heads to the bucolic back garden, dotted with tables under Peroni umbrellas and shaded by a canopy of trees.
The Food
The thin crust on the wood-fired pizzas isn't as crisp as some may prefer, but the dough's subtle tang makes it a pleasure to eat from corner to edge. A mild, smooth sauce doesn't upstage the robust toppings--fresh mozzarella, tomatoes and loads of spicy capicolla on the Diavolaor, and walnuts, rosemary and potatoes on the Romana. Non-pie options are a mixed bag, from light, fluffy rice balls to pastas that barely rise above the usual checkerboard-tablecloth standards. Servers proudly tout house-made cannoli, and the creamy, crispy treats prove them right.
Hits: The back garden adds a welcome patch of green to a neighborhood not known for its lushness.
Misses: If you're not in a pizza mood, the menu's alternatives won't exactly knock your socks off.
Editorial content is independent of paid advertisers. Any expenses are paid for by Citysearch.
Insider Tips
What to DrinkA $28 bottle of Calatrasi Nero D'Avola has an assertive tannin flavor that holds its own against the strong-flavored pizza toppings.
Live MusicJazz bands sometimes play in the back garden--call ahead for the schedule.
Where to SitThe chefs like to keep the front windows open to ventilate the restaurant, so sit toward the back of the dining room if you're sensitive to drafts.
Know Before You GoIsabella's is cash only--fortunately, there's an ATM right outside the restaurant.
User Reviews for Isabella's Oven
08/27/2008 Posted by the_dude34
I first went to Isabella’s when they opened last year. I ordered a $15 pie and was charged $20, when I said to the cashier/pizza maker (and probably owner) “I think that you may have over-charged me.” His response was “Hey buddy, this isn’t Domino’s”. When I pulled out a menu and showed to him that he in fact did over charge me he rudely handed the $5 over to me in a clinched fist without saying anything, not even offering an apology. When I got home, the food was mediocre at best, certainly nothing worthy of note. Last night my girlfriend and I decided to give Isabella’s another try and ordered a pizza Margherita with Buffalo mozz. and a calzone. When we got home the pizza was dry and disgusting. Worst of all, the cheese was most certainly not Buffalo, but thinly sliced and poorly distributed regular store bought mozz. When we called them the same knucklehead from the previous year responded with “Hey I think I know the difference between Buffalo and regular mozzarella” and hung up on us. At Di Fara or Grimaldi’s an attitude like this can be justified or at least tolerated- the pizza is out of this world and their reputation is indisputable, but at a place like Isabella’s that reeks of desperation and seems to be struggling to stay open another day this kind of attitude is absurd. If you ever walk by Isabella’s and take a look there is almost always nobody inside. I wonder why…
Pros: Zero
Cons: See review
03/08/2008 Posted by anoninnyc
great food, nice owners. but it is a small space and not really a date spot anything like that. good local place, love it.
Pros: food, service
Cons: ambience
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