crispo vs apizz?

[Lau]

I have a res at crispo and apizz, which do you think is better? also which one is a better couples place?

any recs someone thinks is better than either of these btw?

[lisettte]

I have a open table reservation at Crispo, my first time. I just liked the menu better, seemd like a more rounded restaurant. I also found it by asking her for arancini and it has it. It seems a bit less expensive to C'esa which had great food but alot of big families and big prices. I hope this will be a good Idea. Now I am thinking of changing to apizz which I never heard of either untiil this board

[Lucia]

Crispo definitely has a more extensive menu than Apizz. I haven't been to Cesca, so I can't compare. I think you'll have a great time at Crispo. It's one of my favorite restaurants in the city. But Apizz is certainly worth a try on your next Italian outing.

[jenniebnyc]

head to Crispo. Parents love it here.

[feast]

First time going to apizz. Just wondering, where is the best place to be seated--and where is the worst? ( Thanks in advance.)

[Lucia]

I like the floating tables by the brick oven... but it's such a small space that I'm not sure there are really good and bad tables.

[feast]

appreciate the info Lucia. Reading some posts I feel that I should also ask if Apizz is a place a 30 year old young man would want to go to with his parents---or is it more of a romantic couples place? ( it will be his birthday and there will just be the three of us.) Is it possibly hip--not just "romantic ?"

[Lucia]

It's quite bustling. While it's good for couples, it's definitely not a hushed romantic place and there are plenty of groups bigger than 2.

[feast]

thank you again!

[erikam]

definitley apizz!! the pizza is really good, and its a little more romantic. I think crispo is a little bit generic and too much fried food or oil used in the cooking process

[rrems]

Crispo's extensive menu (which is anything but "generic") has extremely few fried dishes, and I have never found any of the food to be particularly greasy. The menu is on their website:

www.crisporestaurant.com

[Lau]

ok thx, looks like apizz it is...so whats the "must order" dishes?

[Lucia]

gnocchi are great

[Pan]

Apizz's menu looks delicious, but I notice that their "Primi" are really a combination of contorni and appetizers, and their "Secondi" are really a combination of primi and secondi. Do they let people order half portions of pastas and risotti for half price? It looks to me like a full Italian dinner there (an antipasto perhaps, then primo, secondo, contorno, and dolce) would be quite expensive.

[Lucia]

I don't think that the menu is really structured for a full Italian meal. The pasta and risotto portions are substantial, so they don't lend themselves to being an opening course. I've never asked for a half portion, but you could always call and ask... or split one primo between 2 people. I've always just ordered 1 or 2 antipasti for 2 people + either a pasta or other main course + split dessert

[pellegrino31]

So is the wild boar lasagna

[jakew8]

I second the gnocchi, and the meatballs were awesome as well.

[david sprague]

i'd definitely give the edge to apizz, thanks in part to the quality of the dishes prepared in the wood burning oven. if you're a carnivore, the meatballs are wonderful...and the bread w/ricotta spread is delicious. you can't really go wrong with either...crispo has some fine pasta dishes...but given a one-or-the-other ultimatum, apizz would be my choice

[lookingforpig]

Never been to crispo but apizz has good food but lousy service.

[Lau]

btw, how reliable is opentable? that's how i booked my apizz reservation, but it's the first time i've ever used it

[bastet212]

totally reliable

[erikam]

I use opentable.com all the time, it is extremely reliable.

[Lucia]

They're different. I'd give the edge to Apizz--more romantic and I think better food. But, Crispo is one of my favorite restaurants in the city b/c it's reliably good and well-priced. It can get loud, and it's cramped, but I find it romantic (many others disagree).

[mrnyc]

i live across the st from CRISPO. i never wanted to like the place, but i have come around over time and i agree its nice. the food is fine as you say esp for the price. i agree they are different vibes and food and also that APIZZ is better overall and more romantic.

[bosun]

Crispo. I could eat their Spaghetti Shrimp Fra Diavola every day!