Lucali

A Slice of Heaven

by astridplt , Citysearch Contributor at Citysearch

If you want to go to heaven minus the dying part, go to Lucali. This pizza lover’s paradise is magical. The pie is thin and crunchy at the crust, with a sweet and savory tomato sauce recipe that Mario Batali would love to get his hands on. Two types of mozzarella are used in a plain pie and meats and vegetables are fresh and change daily (try the imported olive-oil cured artichoke hearts from Italy if they have them). They only make pizza and calzones here, so if you are looking for a salad or antipasti to start, you are out of luck. Plain pies start at $21, but this place is BYOB, so it all evens out. To get a table can be somewhat tricky; you either call at 6pm on the dot the evening of, or you can stand in line and wait (when the weather is nice, you will wait for a long time, so bring some friends and a brown bag). But this isn’t just another pizza joint, this place has class; the soft candle light, the Italian opera soaring to the rafters and the very handsome chef/owner Mark Lacona kneading dough in front of a wood burning fire pizza grill all combine to make Lucali a very special experience.

• Pros: Everything except scoring a table
• Cons: Scoring a table

Rude, rude, rude, not good!

by ilovenewuork at Citysearch

I wouldn't wish this on anyone, so many better places to eat in Brooklyn and who needs the hassle. I wouldn't eat there again if they paid me. If I hadn't been with friends I wouldn't have suffered the wait in the first place but having been told it was worth it we stupidly waited and waited, the wait time going from 30 mins to another 30mins etc etc. It was so bad it was comical, a night to remember but do yourself a favor and avoid.

• Pros: plenty of time to read War and Peace while waiting.
• Cons: long wait, 2-3 hours, Very rude hostess

food decent, wait staff could be better, wait is horrendous

by mmmyum at Citysearch

Thought it'd be a pleasant pizza eating experience so thought we'd check it out-- the wait absolutely killed it. We were told (by a could-be-friendlier wait staff) that we'd have to wait an hour, we sat down more than 2 hours later. Made for an unpleasant start of our first pizza eating experience there. As for the food, it's decent but nothing too special-- having eaten at plenty of other pizza places in the city, can't recommend it too highly.

Sorry, but will not likely return ever again.

• Cons: a bit pricey for the food, 2+ hour wait

Wonderful food and atmosphere

by brooklynjoc at Citysearch

incredible pizza and wonderful spot to dine! if you come on the weekend, be prepared to wait! it's generally better (if you can) to come early on a week night. it's worth it!!

• Pros: food, atmoshere, service
• Cons: wait time

Great Food but Bring LOTS of money!!

by hailiesong at Citysearch

I have been to Lucali a handful of times. I always love the vibe and the food is definately delicious.

Last night I went again - bringing a friend from out of town - thinking it would be a scrumptious/inexpensive option. I was so-so wrong.

We brought our own wine. Ordered a small calzone + a lg. pie (only option) each had two toppings. The bill (without booze, and we are talking pizza here) was 63.00 with tip! We were floored! One topping was 8 dollars ... 8 dollars !! Just saying.

SO - I am really amazed that this Brooklyn joint deep in Carroll Gardens has gotten so out of whack. Keep that in mind - I mean this is New York...pizza & bagels are the specialty.

• Pros: Food is Delicous
• Cons: Prices are Outrageous!