Openings

Brooklyn’s Speedy Romeo Debuts LES Location With Pastrami Pizza

The Paul's Boutique, which hits all the marks of the classic delicatessen experience.
The Paul’s Boutique, which hits all the marks of the classic delicatessen experience. Photo: Paul Wagtouicz

One of Brooklyn’s most popular new-school pizzerias is now slinging pies in downtown Manhattan. Last week, Clinton Hill hit Speedy Romeo, whose St. Louis–inspired pies have generated a strong fan base, opened a second branch at 63 Clinton Street on the Lower East Side. The 50-seat dining room has a serious ‘90s vibe, looking like the grown-up version of the arcade and laser-tag pizza emporium you no doubt frequented as a kid. The Italian-influenced menu will be largely familiar to fans of the original, so expect pies including the aforementioned St. Louie and the clam-and-pancetta-topped KC Royale, as well as appetizers like a solid Caesar or stuffed peppers, and larger entrees such as a bone-in rib-eye for two.

The pizza is still the star, though, and chef Justin Bazdarich’s newest menu addition is a full-on homage to the Lower East Side in pizza form. The so-named Paul’s Boutique — in honor of the record by the Beastie Boys, who once lived and recorded early in their career at 59 Chrystie Street — hits all the marks of the classic delicatessen experience. It’s topped with Katz’s pastrami, mustard-laced bechamel, smoked red sauerkraut, Fontina, and Thousand Island dressing. The crust, meanwhile, takes inspiration from everything bagels, which sounds like one of the more novel applications of the “everything” spice blend.

Here are some of the other new dishes and the space:

Couldn't help but sneak a slice of that pie.
Couldn’t help but sneak a slice of that pie. Photo: Paul Wagtouicz
Wood-oven-roasted artichoke with lemon aioli, spring greens, and mint.
Wood-oven-roasted artichoke with lemon aioli, spring greens, and mint. Photo: Paul Wagtouicz
Housemade mozzarella with sweet-pea puree, pancetta vin, and shisho.
Housemade mozzarella with sweet-pea puree, pancetta vin, and shisho. Photo: Paul Wagtouicz
Peekytoe-crab salad with nasturtium vinaigrette and spring vegetables.
Peekytoe-crab salad with nasturtium vinaigrette and spring vegetables. Photo: Paul Wagtouicz
'90s vibes.
’90s vibes. Photo: Paul Wagtouicz

Menu [PDF]

Speedy Romeo, 63 Clinton St., 212-529-6300

New Pastrami Pizza With Everything-Bagel Crust