242194 Wed Feb 04 23:41:37 -0800 2004 9 19 Outer Boroughs 0 1286019 There must be over a dozen pizzerias on Court and Smith Streets, between Brooklyn Heights and Carroll Gardens. The newest is La Rosa & Son, on Smith just shy of Atlantic Ave (95 Smith). While La Rosa may try too hard to be authentically retro in style, there is no mistaking that the pizza is reminiscent of the authentic slice found on every Queens, Brooklyn, and Bronx street corner 25-30 years ago. My first slice at La Rosa was profound – it was a sense memory from a bygone New York, and perhaps the best slice I've had in years. The sauce is that sublime confrontation of tangy and sweet. The crust has a thickness to it, without being heavy, and the right amount of scorch on the bottom. The crust also has a nice "break" when bent. The cheese is just right, with a salty creaminess and there is plenty of it. In short, $1.75 of heaven. Perhaps it was set and setting, but I'll keep going back as long as they keep serving up this excellent pie. Wed Feb 04 23:41:37 -0800 2004 0 Art Skell 1 1286021 thanks for that, i've been too cynical to try it - the decor seemed too contrived, and i had no idea they had $1.75 slices. thanks. Thu Feb 05 00:50:08 -0800 2004 1286019 0 korgy 2 1286067 The pizza was horrific. Undercooked, soggy, leaden tasting sauce. Nothing about the experience suggested anything than the cynical deconstruction of another ethnic food by that culinary Golem Alan Harding. An insult to the real pizzeria's of Brooklyn - of which there are plenty, thank you very much. No one is being fooled. Let's hope it dies the slow excruciating death it deserves. I live in terror of what he will do to American food in his latest abomination. Note to Alan - we're not as stupid as you like us to believe.... Thu Feb 05 17:09:11 -0800 2004 1286021 0 Scott Berkman 3 1286723 It's interesting to read Scott's review (and I generally hold Scott to be an excellent judge of restaurants) in comparison to the original posting. Anyone else care to comment? Does anyone know if they deliver to Brooklyn Heights? Fri Feb 20 16:54:41 -0800 2004 1286067 0 Abrocadabro 4 1286759 When I wrote my original posting, I was not aware that La Rosa was an "Alan Harding project." No matter, I'm neutral on his restaurants because I now eat vegetarian and it is next to impossible for my vegan wife to eat in his places. I see his group as a poor man's Lettuce Entertain You (the themed restaurant mega corp. run by Rich Melman in Chicago) and they helped revitalize Smith St., which was pretty dicey in the 80s and early 90s. I've returned to La Rosa a few times to make sure my first slice wasn't just set and setting, with some nostalgic sense memory from 1969. I'm happy to say that the pie holds up and has been consistent with my original post. Most thin-crust pizza is too brittle for my taste. I want a crust that my teeth can bite in to, not a cracker. As far as the cost, for as long as I've lived in NYC, a slice cost about the same as subway fare. My first slice in Astoria oh so many years ago was 25 cents, 35 cents for Sicilian. At $1.75, I'm no all that upset. I stick by my post with the caveat that pizza in certainly a matter of taste. Sat Feb 21 18:07:49 -0800 2004 1286723 0 Art Skell 5 1287187 We ate there and the three of us agreed that it was way too salty and there was too much cheese. My 8year old daughter didn't finish her slice because of the above. Thu Mar 04 22:31:13 -0800 2004 1286759 0 Tara 1 1286041 Your review is quite a bit different from the posts on La Rosa back in December -- why I have never tried it nor probably never will, despite your glowing review. I will say, your review was eloquently written. . . ever think of being a professional reviewer? Thu Feb 05 11:31:06 -0800 2004 1286019 0 sammy 1 1286058 although I dislike all Alan Harding Projects. I am willing to shell out 1.75 to see if the pizza is good thats for sur Thu Feb 05 15:27:15 -0800 2004 1286019 0 Jason Carey 2 1286060 i'm not at all a fan of harding's over-priced yuppy restaurants (i think i left a very scathing comment about uncle pho here a long time ago)...but his inexpensive projects like the Gowanus Yacht Club and Schnack have redeemed my opinion of him as a restauranteur. if he keeps on establishing places that offer decent and cheap food in the upwardly mobile smith street area, than more power to him. Thu Feb 05 15:40:35 -0800 2004 1286058 0 waxyjax 1 1286124 Well, folks, a group of nine of us from the office went there for lunch today. We ordered two large pies, one with fresh "mozz" and the other with sausage, peppers and pancetta. It was unanimous. We all REALLY enjoyed it. We'll be back, only next time we'll call ahead to order the pies to better fit our collective lunch "hour." AND, the bill came to only five bucks a pop! Tip included! Fri Feb 06 22:11:27 -0800 2004 1286019 0 Jeff