PlanJam!From your screen to the scene

Have you ever had a slice of true Neapolitan pizza? If you're shaking your head yes, you've probably been lied to. But at L'Asso (192 Mott St.), pie makers pride themselves on making a real Pizza "DOC". A "DOC" is actually a very strict set of rules that must be followed for a pizza to be deemed a true Margherita. For example, the tomatoes must be San Marzano, the mozzarella must be made of buffalo-milk, the oil must be olive oil – along with a lot of other things that were too complicated for me to understand.

So for a genuine pizza – or just an easy casual Italian meal – head to L'Asso in Nolita. Though mostly known for their pies, all of their dishes are unpretentious and satisfying. On my most recent outing there, I tried the Fusilli al Pesto Fatto in Casa ($12), a creamy pesto with asparagus and pistachios blended in. I was happy to receive an average heap of pasta instead of a ½ pound dish that certainly would have disrupted the comfort of my skinny jeans. A decent bottle of Cabernet cost us only $28 and a nice selection of olives and flatbreads came out with it.

The owners boast that L'Asso's most popular pies are the Pizza al Tartufo (Portobello mushroom pesto, cheese, fresh rosemary, and truffle oil) and Pizza San Daniele (prosciutto san daniele, mozzarella, arugula, parmigiano, and olive oil) – two great combinations that might not rival a famed slice from Lombardi's down the street, but are mouthwatering nonetheless.

One of the biggest downsides to eating casual in New York usually means you won't have a quiet meal. L'Asso was filled with a few families and a large group of NYU kids that clearly couldn't handle their wine. Other than that, service here is great, your meal comes out fast, and you won't empty your wallet on overpriced dishes. The intimate lighting and close seating makes this place great for a gabfest with friends, but should definitely be a place you'd skip for a date.