East Village Eats - NUOVO YORK PIZZA 🍕 105 E. 9th Street, NY. 10013
Where to Find One of the Best Slices of Pizza in NYC? @NuovoYorkPizza! 🍕🇮🇹
Where sciences meet the slice, the sauce is sauwcinn & the quality is top notch.
Located at 105 East 9th Street, between 3rd and 4th Ave & walking steps to Washington Square Park. Its situated in the cut, but not hard to miss!
The Pizza Maestro: Atalay
Let’s talk about the man behind the magic— Founded by Chef Atalay Mali ( I call him Eat-alay, get it :D?), a former chemical engineering student and the owner of Nuovo York Pizza. My guy isn’t just a pizza man; he’s a chemical engineer who’s applying his scientific know-how to the pizza scene. Yes, you read that right—he uses his background in chemical engineering to create some of the most perfectly airy, crispy, and balanced pizza dough in the city. Atalay carefully monitors every aspect of the pizza-making process, from dough fermentation to sauce creation, ensuring the pH levels are just right. One of the core principles of Mali’s pizza-making process is temperature control. By carefully emulsifying his sauces at the optimal temperature, he ensures the right viscosity (that’s the thickness, for those not versed in science terminology, I had to google it for myself) and perfect flavor every time. He uses a pH meter to monitor the acidity levels of his dough and sauces, ensuring they remain balanced and safe for long-term freshness. By keeping everything at a neutral pH, he maintains both the nutritional integrity of the ingredients and inhibits the growth of harmful microorganisms.
The result? A slice that’s not too thick, not too thin, perfectly sauced and light on digestion. C’mon…. quality!
Mali also uses a device called a viscolite, which measures the viscosity of liquids, to guarantee that his sauces have the perfect texture. It's a level of precision that you typically don’t see in pizza-making, but it’s exactly what sets Nuovo York apart from the others. As he puts it, “When we make the sauce… and the dough, it’s related to my major. I have experience in pizza, years experience, but no one gave me the chance to work with their recipes. So I decided to open up shop.”—and it’s clear that his chemical engineering expertise has played a key role in perfecting his recipes.
Show me the dough!
What really sets Nuovo York apart is the dough. Unlike a traditional pizza crust, which can sometimes be dense or overly filling, Mali’s dough is uniquely airy and light. Through years of experimentation, he’s perfected a Sicilian-style dough that is thicker than your typical pizza but feels lighter, bounces in your mouth as you chew and is less caloric. The dough’s air bubbles create a fluffy texture, making it look larger in appearance, yet being easier to digest.
Mali’s use of fermentation—another area where his engineering background shines—allows the dough to rise naturally, creating a more flavorful and digestible base. It’s a pizza that’s satisfying, but without the heavy feeling that can come from more traditional pies. Something my sensitive tummy and I appreciate.
The Menu: A Slice for Everyone
The menu at Nuovo York Pizza offers something for everyone. The menu spans from classic round pies to the signature Sicilian-style square pizzas (with a twist!). “Each pizza is made with the same scientific attention to detail.” With more than 15 toppings to choose from, including fresh herbs, specialty cheeses, and premium meats, the combinations are endless and I can not wait to go back to try em all. I am a pizza loving girly, but let’s be honest, the bloat is unreal, every time I indulge (and sadly, thats a lot LOL) my back feels it and so do my hips, so when I realized the science was madness and actually had a very real and different reaction to my stomach afterwards, I knew… I was in the hands of a genius.
SO, What should I order?
Spinach & Mushroom: One of their most popular options, this pizza features a rich cream sauce that complements the earthy flavors of the spinach and mushrooms. It’s both creamy and light, with the perfect balance of textures—crispy crust, creamy sauce, and tender veggies. - My personal TOP fave!
Cherry Charm: This is another crowd favorite (dare I say the whole menu is?), with roasted cherry tomatoes, fresh arugula, and a generous serving of burrata - I sat there, in dead..silence and ate the entire slice, in heaven. Again, what gets me - is how light the texture is!!! Makes the flavors BURST!
Peep the very little oil… QUALITY
Don’t forget a drizzle of the Mikes Hot Honey (I was def knockin this before trying & damn!!!! I was missing out, SOOOO good!!)
Washington Square Sicilian: A true New York classic, this pie is loaded with pepperoni and packed with flavor. It's a hearty, satisfying slice that exemplifies everything great about NYC pizza. When I ask for a pepperoni pizza, this is the exact ratio I am asking for. Nuovo just… gets it. Just when you also thought his creativity stops there, it doesn’t. Sicilian pies are made VERTICALLY! “When someone comes in and asks for a Sicilian, what do they ask for? A corner of course. So now I give them crust on both sides!” - The mad scientist himself.
Nuovo York also offers gluten-free pies and even heart-shaped pizzas year-round for those looking for something a little different or more specialized.
(cough cough, Rich betta set something up for that <3 pizza for me……)
Named After NYC Squares: A Slice of History
A special shout out to a very unique creation beyond sauce and dough!
The Sicilian square pizzas at Nuovo York are especially one of a kind because they’re named after famous New York City squares.
Herald Square, Times Square, Tompkins Square, and, Washington Square.
Each pizza takes on the personality of its namesake, with distinctive toppings and flavor profiles that reflect the vibrancy of NYC.
I am a sucker for innovative, creative, genius ideas -
THE VERTICAL SICILIAN PIE, fugggggeeeedabout it!
Why Nuovo York Pizza?
At the end of the day, Nuovo York Pizza isn’t just about great pizza; it’s about passion, precision, and quality. Chef Atalay Mali’s commitment to creating the perfect pizza, using scientific methods to ensure the best flavor and texture, is what truly sets this place apart from the rest.
Compared to my local pizzeria right here in Bellerose Queens - Prices at Nuovo York Pizza are actually $2-3 cheaper depending on item. That says a lot - quality, plus affordability, I respect the hustle while Atalay also respects and understand his community.
This East Village gem is not to be missed.
📍 Nuovo York Pizza
105 East 9th Street, New York, NY 10003
Open late EVERYDAY -
11AM - 3AM (4AM on the weekends!)
It’s a party, it’s a (pizza) party, it’s a partayyyy!
Follow me @krystlecarrissa for more
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