Graziella's
Clinton Hill Foodie claims that Graziella's pizza "is some of the best in the neighborhood, if not the city," but this blogger isn't as thrilled with this restaurant's atmosphere: "the wood-burning oven and brick walls and such are great, but the visible dessert fridge and lighting make the place feel kind of like a diner."
In New York magazine, JJ Goode describes the pizzas as "tasty thin pies, the crust delivering a delicious tang that makes up for the rather bland cheese and sauce," and says that the menu also includes "comfy favorites like lavishly cheesy stuffed shells and generously portioned veal marsala, as satisfying in the main dining room as they are on the roof deck."
But Chowhound brooklyndude says that Graziella's "has gotten steadily worse in the year and a half I've been in the neighborhood." And Slices of the City writes, "My one complaint was that the crust was a little flat and singed around the edges, not as bubbly and light as it could have been. However, their draft list was quite nice for an Italian joint, and I enjoyed watching the pizzaiolo at his oven." What's your take on this Italian spot?
Reviews (16)
jawbreaker wrote a review on October 29, 2008 12:19 PM
CHF nailed it. People have strong opinions about pizza, but for my money this is pretty good among the thin charred crust/brick oven offerings. Only a slight tweak to the indifferent decor, service, and bathroom cleaning procedures would greatly improve the place. It's always disppointing when places with good product can't quite figure that out. Doesn't really keep me a way, but keeps me from going more often. Hope they read this.
filmmer wrote a review on October 29, 2008 12:21 PM
the pizza is very good- but defenitely eat it there- it doesn't travel so well since it's so thin- it's best when it's almost too hot to eat.
we've also always had a nice experience with the wait staff- they are patient with kids-
I've had a few other things on the menu and they've always been good.
BH76 wrote a review on October 29, 2008 12:27 PM
I heard the pizza was good but we were really disappointed. maybe we are spoiled by Franny's etc. but this was just average. If it were in NJ, maybe ... but NYC. There are much better places.
miss priss wrote a review on October 29, 2008 1:34 PM
I think it's delicious - agree about the ambience - not the best, but the food is really great. bizarrely, they make a better, fresher pesto pasta dish than at most high end italians I've visited...I recently went to franny's for the first time and was actually disappointed after all the hype...
LC Arnett wrote a review on October 29, 2008 1:35 PM
I agree with the Chowhound review. It used to be great, but my last visit, the pizza crust was burned so bad as to be inedible. Only three salvageable slices out of a large pizza. That being said, the wait staff was chagrined and offered to bring us another pizza which we declined. I hope this was just a one time event and that they get it back in order since that was a favorite spot for taking the kids on rainy weekend afternoons.
BrooklynZoo wrote a review on October 29, 2008 1:52 PM
I went there once, waited about 45 mins before leaving. Nobody came and took our order! Inexcusable. They are dead to me.
Jimmy Legs wrote a review on October 29, 2008 1:57 PM
wait. this IS a pizza joint right? and not one that purports to be some fancy affair. i don't get the atmosphere issues.
Schultz wrote a review on October 29, 2008 2:03 PM
We have found it to be a reliable neighborhood spot and has hands down much more to offer than Grimaldis. The roof is lovely and is a nice respite from the main dining room, which can get noisy with the kid friendly vibe.
chnewbie wrote a review on October 29, 2008 2:38 PM
We had both our daughter's baptism and birthday parties here over the past year, mainly because of the good food, prices, and excellent service. It's very baby friendly, which might affect the ambience a bit, but I think it's a great place to bring kids. I have never tried the pizza, but have enjoyed the chicken and veal parm and the salmon as well. Serving size is great.
greenebee wrote a review on October 29, 2008 4:09 PM
The food is good and I like the salads, but I really wish they delivered past 6pm. I think I like Il Portos brick oven pizza better, and they deliver, so I'm pretty much sold on them.
bklynbred wrote a review on October 29, 2008 4:34 PM
I liked this place, mostly for the proximity and price. I actualy had an Italian dish (lasagna? some kind of parm?) and remember having enough to take home. The staff was likable and not overbearing--a great combo. The wine selection wasn't great, but I wasn't expecting much on that end so my I think expectations were reasonable. A good, solid meal at a decent price. And what I always like to find, a boisterous room of happy, chatty patrons. I plan to go back for a weekend brunch.
treehouse wrote a review on October 29, 2008 6:52 PM
Sadly for Graziella's, Il Porto has upstaged this neighborhood spot on most levels. I have always liked but not loved Graziella's. The staff is very nice and the food is good...not amazing. They need to use a little more salt in the dough and on the cheese. I will still go there but the pie at Il Porto is damn good!
Heather wrote a review on October 30, 2008 12:02 AM
Do they deliver?
cuocodamore wrote a review on October 30, 2008 1:38 PM
i thinking living in the neighborhood, we are all getting a great deal of the food menu, the atmosphere is great, however at times i feel like it's too kid friendly, but then again it's the only place i know it is kid-friendly** the pizza is great, the fish are order 3 times a weeks, sometimes more fresh and delisciously prepere. The wine list is improving by time and quite frankly the wait-staff just needs to be little more tantative. The daily specials are to die for, every week there's something new and unique to try that you wont find in any other place in brooklyn especially the prices!!! i hope the owners get to ready this bcuz i truly believe this could one of a kind restaurant that every type of people can dine-in!
esq wrote a review on November 15, 2008 5:59 PM
Been there a couple of times on weekends pretty early, before going to BAM, so couldn't linger. Eggplant parm excellent. Ditto broccoli rabe. No one disappointed with their meal. Of course early eating means heavy on the families with kids but so what. This is not a place to go for quiet intimate meal or special decor. But the food is very good, wait staff is friendly, servings are generous and prices are moderate. I'll go back.
herkimermaid wrote a review on December 31, 2008 10:55 AM
We used to go there often in the summer, get a pizza, a couple of beers and hang out on the roof deck. Now that I'm no longer a "we" (and it's winter...) I haven't been in a while, but it was always an enjoyable and regular destination. Maybe there was the odd occasion when the food was a little off, or the waiter was a little too slow but hey, it's just a small, local place -- and it was a really welcome addition to the 'hood when it opened. That was my former block btw, so perhaps I have a special attachment to it. Anyway, I think the pizza is good (ham and arugula yum) and the rooftop in the summer is totally awesome. I give it 4 stars because we generally had good experiences. I'm gonna order out from there this weekend!
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