crostatas rustic pizza

a true neapolitan pizza!. i treated myself to a 100 mile round trip drive to sample crostatas' neapolitan pizza after getting out of hospital today. i ordered a margherita d.o.c. with san marzano tomatoes, mozzarella di bufala, basil and evoo that was baked in their artisan constructed wood fired oven.

it was outstanding! the crust tapered from the subtle, soft and chewy center to a crisp and flavorful cornicemadefrom caputo 00 flour. the tomatoes were bright, full bodied, and definitely san marzano's. the mozarella, di bufala, was smooth as silk, with a sweet overtone. i sampled the parmesan in the shaker, and it was definitely freshly grated.

i just ordered a coffee, and when a caffè americano arrived i was pleasantly surprised. it was excellent also, by the way, as was the waite staff. i also appreciated my conversation with angelo at the counter as he described the construction of their prized oven and how long it took to "temper".

you will not be disappointed by crostatas if my experience with the margherita doc was any indication!

they also sell the very hard to get caputo 00 flour for the home pizza makers.

we are often heard complaining about the lack of good pizza in the area. we finally found a place to end our complaining. now we’ll complain about having to drive to highland heights to get good pizza because it’s not exactly close to home. but drive we will to enjoy their traditional thin crust pizzamadewith fresh ingredients.

i have ordered several times here and thought the food was good and at times great, but today i was given the worst pasta i have ever had. maybe since it was carry out they thought they could get away with serving bad food. the ravioli was way too thick and so was the cavatelli. the sauce and the filling was the only thing thatmadethe dish edible..there was way too much olive oil on the salad.even dessert the best part of the meal wasn't great i might give them another try on the pizza since they have been consistently pretty good, but would not recommend getting the pasta. i hope in the future if i do go back i'll get better food.

updated review. a couple of things to add:
(a) the new pizzaiolo is great. he doesn't have the personality of anthony but dare i say, his pies are better.
(b) they changed the crust recipe and i like the new recipe better.
(c) strange thing for a review but the coffee is amazing. like the coffee you get in italy. even if you just order a cup of regular coffee.
(d) don't forget the spumoni. the real thing.
(e) thank you john for caring enough about food to offer this level of quality in our city.


-----20 apr, 2009-----

bring your camera. you will want to take a photo of your pizza first because it is just so beautiful: the perfect golden brown of the crustmadewith tipo 00 flour imported from naples, the green of the fresh basil, the white of the real mozzarella di bufala which they fly in from italy, the red of the saucemadewith san marzano tomatoes. amazing.

a treasure.

the real thing.

fantastic. we visited the restaurant last week for dinner and had a most enjoyable and delicious meal. we were greeted by the friendly host who promptly sat us where we could watch all that is going on. the meal was freshly made, the pizza outstanding. you've got to try the new mushroom pizza with carmelized onions, it was amazing. the homemade desserts were also delicious.the servers were friendly and helpful andmadeus feel very welcome. it has a warm atmosphere, wonderful menu and we will surely make crostatas our favorite restaurant.

authentic italian done right. i have had the pleasure of eating at crostatas several times and the food just keeps getting better. the pizza in not your off the shelf, mass produced, buy one get 9 free crap, itsmadewith the best ingrediants, in a stone fired oven and well worth the few extra dollars. the lunch menu is simple and everyting is spot on great. i personally love the prime rib sandwish on fresh baked bread with the olive oil and garlic spread. bottom line if you want a great meal, in a simple casual atmosphere with the best wait staff around, drop in and have a bite.

we used to drive in from lakewood...(use to). the ambiance is absolutely horrible, its like being in a room that seems empty, the tile is great, but what about some dim lighting and table fixtures? i really admired the family tree from the owner as well as the crest hanging over the fireplace but thats it. we didn't make a reoccurring drive from lakewood five to ten times a month just for the ambiance. the service is always great. our last server was kathy and i recommend her next time you if you decide to eat a pizza with a missing link. i have to totally agree with the last comment/review made. anthonymademy husband and i's experience. even our picky eating children adored him ha the best was when he showed them a few tricks by the pizza station. after that night it was there favorite place...........who is going to step in????? who knows......all i know is this, the pizza was missing something our last visit......

best ever. my husband and i are currently living in florida and were visiting relatives in cleveland when we were fortunate enough to have had the opportunity to eat pizza at crostatas. it brought back memories of our recent trip to italy.

this pizza is fantastic! we will certainly try to make the trip back so we can enjoy it again along with the fabulous dessertmadewith nutella.

kudos to john quagliata for opening such a great trattoria. we'll be back.

charming charming charming. from the moment i walked in the door i was greeted in italian by the chef/pizzaiolo as he likes to call himself anthony pilla. he was spinning pizza left and right from one side of his arm to the other. itmadewaiting for a table entertaining. the pizza is the best i have ever had!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and i eat pizza and still maintain the figure because i am picky. the antipasta selection is fresh and great as well. i felt the the ambiance doesnt come from the building but from the chef and the staff. he would go by every table discussing pizza as a art and passion and i just fell right into it. then he described the flour used as soft and delicate like baby powder and how it comes straight from naples italy. i love crostatas!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! bellisiomo!!!!

friendly service, delicious pizza!. had a couple of great pizzas. great wine list, salads, appetizers. the food is very fresh. pizzamadein an authentic italian wood-fired oven. loved it.