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| - Pizza Brutta is a nice little brick shopfront on Monroe Street that surprises you on entry with a decidedly low-key interior. The benches and floors are dark wood, and stucco walls studded with small photos and images of slice-of-life scenes of Italy surround the 'L'-shaped interior. The space can be somewhat noisy as there are few soft surfaces present.
Unexpectedly, it is more of a cafe than a restaurant. You queue up to order at the counter -- the wood-fired oven is visible in the back -- and they begin to make your pizza right there. Then you take your seat and they bring it out to you. I had been expecting more of a normal restaurant place, but it doesn't really matter and this is probably more authentic anyways. Besides, you're here for pizza; ambiance is secondary.
And the pizza is good. I went with the 'Rossoverde' and it was a great choice. The crust is thin and simple -- crispy where it should be and chewy where it should be, too. The sauce was light, flavorful and savory; in reality, it's little more than crushed tomatoes and its all the better for it. The cheese, prosciutto and sauce were all in balance and the pie was blanketed in arugula; it was as if a salad was served on top. All-around wonderful.
They have a good sized menu with sauce topped and olive oil topped pizzas, salads, and a fair selection of Italian style beverages like San Pellegrino sodas. Beer and wine is available but I can't explain the lack of an Italian beer such as Birra Moretti or Peroni, the latter of which is excellent with pizza.
I'll definitely be back, and recommend you go as well. Delicious!
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