Found via the net, Maruzzella is one of the most famous pizzerias in town. Pizza oven at the entrance, a man in black with a big belly in an authentic space serving real Italian cuisine, pizza and more.
Photos decorate the walls of this restaurant that's divided into three rooms. The entrance, the main hall and the room up front. Two pizzaiolos prepare the pizzas six at a time while a long line waits to be seated. We had to wait for 15 minutes while others were willing to stay at the door for more than 30 minutes.
White and brown tablecloths, ceramic tiles, walls painted in white and those photos, lots of them in black and white adding a homey touch to the restaurant. Fully loaded we were excited to sit and start eating; with such a crowd, you expect the food to be good and it really was!
And we waited... And waited some more until being seated in the second room, next to the bar. Tables are placed one next to the other, service is slow but it seems no one cares.
The menu has two pages of pizza, appetizers, rice or risotto, starters, main courses (fish and meat), side dishes and cheese. I wish I could order everything!
The first impression: They serve Coke in cans when restaurants usually serve it in glass bottles. The staff is smiley and welcoming. The tables are simple, white cloths and a table napkin with a fork and knife. A real trattoria feel, no music and people talking in the background. Prices are reasonable and the menu choices are endless.
We ordered a pizza, the carbonara, risotto and the pistachio macaroni the Internet talks about.
Pizza, the Tirolese has speck, Gorgonzola, mozzarella and tomato sauce. The dough is thicker than average pizzas but fluffy enough to be enjoyed without signs of chewiness. The ingredients are indeed tasty and generously fill the pizza which has a crust that isn't watery at all. Gorgonzola adds a smoky touch, the speck is hard to cut, the tomato is adequately acidic and the mozzarella melts like butter. The borders are as fluffy as are the other parts, without any crunch. It is tasty indeed but not the exceptional pizza I was expecting.
Before describing the plates, be prepared to receive pasta on a round plate without any decoration. Generous portions and an amazing, homey and simple taste.
Dinner was memorable. The Risotto Milanese is excellent, for €10 the plate can feed two people. Al dente cooked rice, a yellow color, intense flavors of saffron and a light creaminess leaving a long lasting after note. Add Parmesan to feel the real flavors. The pistachio macaroni is excellent. The cream, the pistachio notes, the flavor which becomes more pronounced when Parmesan is added. My favorite was the carbonara; so finger licking good, a cream-less carbonara made of eggs and bacon. Again, the simplicity. It's not the kind of food you eat at fancy restaurants, but dishes and a style that will trigger emotions.
All of this for $25/person.
Yum... The pasta is way better than the pizza! I'll come back for the pasta, the vibes and the value.
