Michael Ayoub is building on the success of Fornino with the opening of his latest restaurant, Cronkite Pizzeria & Wine Bar. Cronkite, located in the Lower East Side, opened to friends and family last Friday and to the public yesterday. The restaurant is so new that it still smells like paint! When we saw Ayoub last night, he told Gothamist that Crokite is still a work in progress. With its custom-made gas-fired brick-lined oven, Ayoub has to change the dough formula from the one he uses at Fornino which has a gas-assisted wood oven.
The menu at Cronkite is similar to that at Fornino and it has an extensive wine list as well as a cotton candy machine. Pizza prices for a small pizza are $8-$14 and large pizza are in the $15-$22 range. The black truffle pizza (tartufo) is $35 for a small and $50 for a large pie. Most wines by the glass are under $10.
Cronkite Pizzeria & Wine Bar
133 Norfolk Street (btwn Stanton and Rivington)
212-375-1500
