Bella Vita - Authentic, Neapolitan Brick Oven Pizzeria

Everyone loves pizza. And New Yorkers are certainly no exception. But what makes a pizza good? And how does one know where to find a great slice, especially in a city as big as NYC? Newcomer Bella Vita (211 West 43rd Street, between 8th Avenue and Broadway, New York, NY 10036; 212.730.1479), aims to answer these questions with its first-rate, Neapolitan Old World Brick Oven Pizzeria, now with two Manhattan locations. Specializing in superb authentic, thin crust topped pizza made with the world's finest and freshest ingredients, Bella Vita is changing the way we eat pizza one pie at a time.

Bella Vita, which means "beautiful life" in Italian, gives New Yorkers a chance to taste a truly rustic, Naples-style pizza without leaving Manhattan. A descendent of several generations of Neapolitan pizziolli (pizza makers), Charles Toufos sought to carry on the tradition of his mother's Old World Italian Valvano family recipes by bringing them to the New World. In June 2005, Toufos partnered with Serdar Akcan to open their first Bella Vita location at 158 West 58th Street (between 6th and 7th Avenues, between 6th and 7th Avenues, New York, NY 10019; 212.664.7670). After receiving an overwhelmingly positive response and increasing demand from its neighbors, Toufos and Akcan, decided to join forces with veteran restaurateurs, Louis and Paul Pappas, to open a second Bella Vita in Times Square in November 2005. Christian Brandeweide was also brought on board as a part-owner to help manage the 43rd Street pizzeria, which provides additional seating from its flagship location.

Understanding that quality pizza comes from quality ingredients, Toufos, who oversees the day-by-day operations at both Bella Vita restaurants, ensures that Bella Vita's pizzas are the "real deal." Every sauce is made from scratch, every ingredient is purchased from a specialty vendor, and every pie is baked to perfection. With its light yet crispy crust, fresh homemade mozzarella and original pizza sauce prepared from the best uncooked canned tomatoes, Bella Vita's pies are simply slices of heaven. Compared to the mega-commercial, generic pizza companies in the US that are known more for their quantity than quality, Bella Vita strives to create the best quality pies with every order. Toufos invites all pizza lovers to taste Bella Vita's authentic Neapolitan pies and experience the difference.

Not only does Bella Vita serve its savory pies whole and by the slice, with fresh basil accents on each piece, but it offers an array of delicious toppings. From fresh vegetables including mushrooms, broccoli, and mixed roasted peppers; savory meats, such as pepperoni, sausage, sliced meatball, and grilled chicken, as well as wonderful cheeses, including rich and creamy ricotta and extra mozzarella, there is something for everyone at Bella Vita. Whether one chooses a traditional Brick Oven Pizza (MP), Calzone ($7.50), White Pizza ($13.50/$15.50) or Sicilian Pie ($18.50), they can be assured it will be delicioso!

In addition to its authentic Brick Oven pies, Bella Vita prepares a full menu with wide selection of freshly made salads, appetizers, panini and pastas, available in individual and family sizes. Start off with something light, such as Insalata di Arugula ($6.95/$15.95), with arugula, endive, radicchio, sun-dried tomatoes and a housemade honey vinaigrette dressing; or Insalata Caprese ($8.95/$16.95), with fresh mozzarella, vine-ripened tomatoes and basil with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil. Indulge in a tasty appetizer such as Fried Calamari ($8.95), served with a spicy marinara sauce, or Antipasti Italia ($9.95/$18.95), with prosciutto, roasted peppers, salami mortadella, olives and aged parmigiano. Nothing says "mangia" quite like Bella Vita's hearty panini, which includes Bellisima ($6.10) and Il Rustico ($6.10), with grilled eggplant, grilled chicken breast,