Lucali

The ambience here is great. We had a simple basil and cheese pie that cost us around $30 which was slightly... more

The ambience here is great. We had a simple basil and cheese pie that cost us around $30 which was slightly outrageous. I'll go back though. The pe... more

If you want to go to heaven minus the dying part, go to Lucali. This pizza lover’s paradise is magical. The pie is thin and crunchy at the crust, with a sweet and savory tomato sauce recipe that Mario Batali would love to get his hands on. Two types of mozzarella are used in a plain pie and meats and vegetables are fresh and change daily (try the imported olive-oil cured artichoke hearts from Italy if they have them). They only make pizza and calzones here, so if you are looking for a salad or antipasti to start, you are out of luck. Plain pies start at $21, but this place is BYOB, so it all evens out. To get a table can be somewhat tricky; you either call at 6pm on the dot the evening of, or you can stand in line and wait (when the weather is nice, you will wait for a long time, so bring some friends and a brown bag). But this isn’t just another pizza joint, this place has class; the soft candle light, the Italian opera soaring to the rafters and the very handsome chef/owner Mark Lacona kneading dough in front of a wood burning fire pizza grill all combine to make Lucali a very special experience. Pros: Everything except scoring a table Cons: Scoring a table more

I wouldn't wish this on anyone, so many better places to eat in Brooklyn and who needs the hassle. I wouldn't eat there again if they paid me. If I hadn't been with friends I wouldn't have suffered the wait in the first place but having been told it was worth it we stupidly waited and waited, the wait time going from 30 mins to another 30mins etc etc. It was so bad it was comical, a night to remember but do yourself a favor and avoid. Pros: plenty of time to read War and Peace while waiting. Cons: long wait, 2-3 hours, Very rude hostess more

Thought it'd be a pleasant pizza eating experience so thought we'd check it out-- the wait absolutely killed it. We were told (by a could-be-friendlier wait staff) that we'd have to wait an hour, we sat down more than 2 hours later. Made for an unpleasant start of our first pizza eating experience there. As for the food, it's decent but nothing too special-- having eaten at plenty of other pizza places in the city, can't recommend it too highly. Sorry, but will not likely return ever again. Cons: a bit pricey for the food, 2+ hour wait more

incredible pizza and wonderful spot to dine! if you come on the weekend, be prepared to wait! it's generally better (if you can) to come early on a week night. it's worth it!! Pros: food, atmoshere, service Cons: wait time more

I have been to Lucali a handful of times. I always love the vibe and the food is definately delicious.\r Last night I went again - bringing a friend from out of town - thinking it would be a scrumptious/inexpensive option. I was so-so wrong.\r \r We brought our own wine. Ordered a small calzone + a lg. pie (only option) each had two toppings. The bill (without booze, and we are talking pizza here) was 63.00 with tip! We were floored! One topping was 8 dollars ... 8 dollars !! Just saying.\r \r SO - I am really amazed that this Brooklyn joint deep in Carroll Gardens has gotten so out of whack. Keep that in mind - I mean this is New York...pizza & bagels are the specialty.\r \r Pros: Food is Delicous Cons: Prices are Outrageous! more

My wife and I arrived at Lucali at 6pm (when it opened) and had to wait about an hour for a table. It was worth it, though. Beautiful atmosphere with great lighting and a generally warm neighborhood feeling all around. The owner makes the pizza at a table at the back of the restaurant. The pie was superb (they also have calzones, but that's it) It's BYOB, so if you want beer or wine with your dinner, be sure to bring it along. Highly recommended. Pros: beautiful atmosphere, great food Cons: long wait more

My wife and I and a few friends went there a few times when it just opened. We were extremely pleased with the excellent pizza and the atmosphere inside was kind of pleasant and it sure is a great value...\r \r However, the third time I went to get take out, they made me wait for it for an hour and 45 minutes. The fourth time we went we had to wait over two hours, so after that I tried making reservations which they don't take since they don't pick up the phone. So don't try calling in a take out order either. Then, I went over there again for take out and the consistently rude, short and irritable hostess told me and another guy to wait until she was able to take our take out orders. We waited for 25 minutes, patiently, until the crowd outside had been seated after which she still didn't turn to us. When reminded, she snapped that she would be taking any take-out orders for another hour. I was so ready to give up on this place that had irritated me so many times already, but after a week or two my wife and I tried to give it one more try because we still liked the pizza... we show up early, it is packed and freezing outside. The hostess tells us to wait outside for about an hour. There are some chairs by the counter so we ask to wait there and get a drink. She tells us the chairs are just there to make sure ""nobody stands there, and we can't wait by the door either"". nice! Get over yourself, it's just pizza for god's sake.\r \r This place is to into itself for its own good. Pizza is great but not worth the hassle. Pros: Pizza Cons: service, service, service more

Not really sure what their secret is, I think its the sesame seed, but it tastes great. Best Pizza I ever had.\r definately recomend you try it more

The best pizza pie ever. I went there two times only... the first they had a problem with the staff and I had to eat my pizza outside, with a cool wind. The second time (Oct 4th, 2008), I tried to call first to know if they would be open that day and if I could make a reservation, but I got the voicemail.\r Well, I got there and there was a crowd outside. I called a few minutes before and the hostess said that they were not taking more tables that day. As I got there, other 2 groups were included in the waiting list, after we spoke to the hostess... We left the place without the pizza and we may never go back there.\r It's the best pizza, but my experience has not been that good... Pros: The best Pizza I've ever had so far Cons: They can improve customer attention... they should! more

I am a pizza fanatic and grew up in an Italy, so I know what fresh is! Last night was the first time and certainly not the last time I would be going to Lucali. They use the freshest ingredients and Owner/Chief actually grads fresh cheese onto the pizza and in the calzone's. This is something you usually don?t see when you go to other pizza places. It is a BYOB, no reservations taken and has a limited menu but I wouldn?t change anything about the place. Food is fresh; Ambiance is alluring and overall a great experience. Pros: Fresh food, BYOB, romantic Cons: Only 2 items on the menu more

yes, there is always a line. Of course, because it is the most delicious, yummy pizza! You don't feel the cheese' you don't feel the sauce, and other ingredients you preferred; you just feel the havenly taste. Even when you're aeting it, your mouth will be drooling. And the place... Wow... As if you're in a small, cozy town in Italy... Most romantic, authentic place. \r Lovely! Pros: Delicious pizza, ambiance, nicest waitresses, great service Cons: Not that I can think of. Maybe the waiting time but it's worth it more

Outstanding service, great food and very authentic atmosphere! Almost like being in Naples. Highly recommend for those seeking ""real"" pizza! more

From service to scenery to the pizza and calzone theres no need to go anywhere else. It gets better and better everytime we eat there and the scenery reminds you of a pizzeria in a small town in italy. The fact that its hard to park wont even bother you because you know your minutes away from eating the best pizza in town...... Pros: everything Cons: parking but everything else makes up for it more

These guys know how to make a crust! Light, airy, puffy, and incredibly tasty.\r Perfect texture, not too filling . . . a pizza is just right for sharing (with ONE\r person . . . they're not huge). The toppings are all top-quality . . . not a huge\r list to choose from, but every one very tasty. But the crust! Coming out of that\r brick oven, covered with charcoal, black puffy spots . . . YUM !!! Pros: atmospheric place with out-of-this-world pizza Cons: they can be a little disorganized and it can be tough to get a large group in on schedule more

Preface:\r \r I tend to dislike ""gourmet"" pizza joints. I get tired of pizza places (and burger joints too) that have some great chef that wants to do things in a fancy manner - these are blue-collar foods and are best when they remain as such. That doesn't mean I can't appreciate fresh ingredients because, after all, Lombardi's does it that way too and are closer to the purist slice that I seek.\r \r That being said, despite the crust that's a bit too crispy for my tastes (not to say that it's bad; it's just preference) and not enough sauce, and the unforgivable (for a place like this) dough bubbles, everyone was quite nice. The interior of the place is simple, rustic, and the kind of environment I'd love to have if I had a similar restaurant. The people there were nice, too, and didn't act like they were doing you a favor, unlike that place in the East Village around 11th-12th Street by 1st Ave - customer service goes a long way. \r \r Overall, judging by the quality, experience, and other people's preference for fancy pizzas, I think NYers will be pleased with this place. Pros: friendly, yummy, etc. Cons: I just want a nice, juice, soft pizza! Otherwise, thumbs-up all the way! more

I'm so glad this place opened up! The restaurant doesn't have a menu and serves only 2 dishes, pizza and calzones. The pizza is amazing - thin crusted airy dough, the freshest tomato sauce, and other ingrediants that you choose. Service is really nice, the waitresses and chef honestly want to know if you're enjoying your food. They are also willing to give you a call when your table is ready when there is a long wait. I hope success doesn't change the really great things about this place! Pros: Amazing food, warm atmosphere, nice people Cons: Long waits on weekends - but the restaurant does it's best to minimize the pain! more

Best Pizza in New York -- worth the trip to Brooklyn! Service is great, atmosphere is outstanding, but above all else the pizza is amazing. Simple menu to choose from, pizza or calzone. All they need to add is a desert. On the plus side is the BYOB option. You will not be disappointed! Pros: Quality/Taste of the Pizza, BYOB, Atmosphere Cons: Can be a long wait around 7-9pm Fri and Sat more

This place has potential. Homey atmosphere and nice, friendly service. They even call you on your cellphone when your table is ready! However, having to pay extra for basil on your brick oven pizza is like driving a car without gas! They said three different types of cheese on the pies but it mostly tasted like regular pizzeria type cheese. Nothing special right now but I bet it will rock soon! I'll def try it again. Pros: friendly service Cons: not the best cheese more