Ápizz & The Orchard

Last night, after a failed attempt at Freeman's (2 hour wait), we finally heeded a long-standing recommendation from Chardo to check out Ápizz. Ápizz sits it the middle of a random, sketchy block - 217 Eldridge, between Stanton & Rivington - and you'd never guess what the interior looks like based on the exterior view (but isn't that the case with some of the best NYC restaurants). Anyway, let me get straight to the point: the place is awesome. It has a rustic feel inside with an open kitchen, exposed brick walls, and dark wood. But it also has a modern, warm orange glow, which we thought seemed pretty reminiscent of the Orchard (162 Orchard between Stanton & Rivington)...and I'll be godamnned if we weren't spot on.
As I discovered today, they're both owned by the same guy, John LaFemina, and I have nothing but rave reviews for this guy. He even has a book out called, A Man And His Meatballs.

I've been to the Orchard a couple of times and I was a pretty big fan. Their flatbread apps are basically cracker-thin pizza crusts topped with amazing combinations...so when we got the chorizo pizza to start at Ápizz, it was very similar in style and really delicious. They have 3 other pizzas on the menu that all looked like winners. On another note, their table bread is served with marinara sauce and ricotta cheese...a nice touch. A restaurant is only as good as the bread it puts on the table.

The entrees definitely did not disappoint either...at our table we had the Gnocchi con Ragu di Carne (homemade gnocchi topped with honey-braised prime beef short ribs in a tomato ragu sauce), the signature Polpette e Pomodori (2 huge veal/pork/beef meatballs with ricotta in a tomato gravy), grilled shrimp in a lemon/butter/white wine/fresh herb "broth", and of course, my fat ass got the most buttery, cheesy, indulgent item on the menu...the Ravioli con Zucca (open ravioli with ricotta, mascarpone, caramelized butternut squash, in a brown butter and sage sauce)...check out the full menu on their website. If those don't get you hungry, you're probably a Communist and you should get yourself checked out. And you know what, the debilitating food coma I was expecting, really never set in...maybe my body has just adapted to massive fat and carb intake over the years like a champ. Or maybe I'll have a heart attack before 30...only time will tell.

Overall, a really solid meal, great atmosphere, and I'd defnitely go back. Put it on your list.