Openings

Pizza Moto Brings Wood-Fired Pies and House-Cured Pancetta to Red Hook

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The “eggs in hell” pizza is made with bacon, chili, and a soft-cooked egg. Photo: Melissa Hom

Pizza Moto, the mobile pizza operation that first made waves at Brooklyn Flea and its sister food market Smorgasburg, has finally put down roots. Three years after they found a hidden coal oven in an old bakery on the border of Red Hook and Carroll Gardens, partners Anna Viertel and Dave Sclarow, the man behind the pies, have finished work on their first restaurant. There is seating for 46 people total, with 6 at the bar as well as at the chef’s table in the large open kitchen, which Viertel says will be used more for hosting guests while they wait for tables than actual meals.

All that extra space — and the luxury of, you know, an actual kitchen of their own — means that Sclarow and sous-chef Joe Bliffen will be able to flex their muscles and cook a lot more than just pizza. So, along with pies featuring greens-and-pistachio pesto, or deconstructed clam chowder, there will be small and large plates like fresh rye pasta with country ham, and a whole fish with salsa verde. If an early visit from Grub is any indication, you won’t want to skip those dishes — especially the fried broccoli with yuzu-koshu lemon curd. Sclarow also plans to switch things up every other week and to revamp the menu once a season. They’ve also got a full liquor license, so there are also a few cocktails (all $12) like the Harry’s Bouquet (gin, Pernod rinse, celery soda, aperol, lemon bitters) and after-dinner drinks. Here’s a look at the space and some of the food:

Green tomato salsa with jalapeño, Fontina, and fresh mozzarella.
Green tomato salsa with jalapeño, Fontina, and fresh mozzarella. Photo: Melissa Hom
The mushroom pizza is made with fresh and roasted 'shrooms, smoked mozzarella, and ricotta.
The mushroom pizza is made with fresh and roasted ‘shrooms, smoked mozzarella, and ricotta. Photo: Melissa Hom
The meatball tartare incorporates traditional ingredients from the Italian-American classic including chives and parsley for seasoning along with ricotta and red sauce on the side.
The meatball tartare incorporates traditional ingredients from the Italian-American classic including chives and parsley for seasoning along with ricotta and red sauce on the side. Photo: Melissa Hom
The flakes of trout in this Caesar salad are smoked in house.
The flakes of trout in this Caesar salad are smoked in house. Photo: Melissa Hom
This surprisingly delicious dish includes lemon curd, housemade hot sauce, and broccoli that is marinated overnight in buttermilk, dipped in semolina flour, and then fried.
This surprisingly delicious dish includes lemon curd, housemade hot sauce, and broccoli that is marinated overnight in buttermilk, dipped in semolina flour, and then fried. Photo: Melissa Hom
The mussels are served with a bread inspired by Vanessa's Dumpling's shao bing.
The mussels are served with a bread inspired by Vanessa’s Dumpling’s shao bing. Photo: Melissa Hom
The preparation for the house-cured pancetta will change weekly.
The preparation for the house-cured pancetta will change weekly. Photo: Melissa Hom
The biscuit tortoni features maraschino cherries, amaretti cookies, and semifreddo.
The biscuit tortoni features maraschino cherries, amaretti cookies, and semifreddo. Photo: Melissa Hom
Workin' the oven.
Workin’ the oven. Photo: Melissa Hom
It's a nice room.
It’s a nice room. Photo: Melissa Hom
Unfortunately, you can't actually play Getaway.
Unfortunately, you can’t actually play Getaway. Photo: Melissa Hom


Pizza Moto @ John Grace Bakery, 338 Hamilton Ave.

Menu [PDF]

What to Eat at Pizza Moto in Red Hook