Apizz (CLOSED)

It was a bit of a sleeper hit when this tiny Italian restaurant opened on this sparsely populated LES block. Although the space is somewhat odd—the wooden beam ceilings and fiery brick oven are rustic and welcoming, but the industrial carpeting is kind of a buzz kill—the food is reliable, honest Italian. The pleasantly blistered signature thin crust pizza Bianca is a bit bland—the topping of fresh ricotta, Parmigiano-Reggiano, buffalo mozzarella and spinach could use some acidity. A better dish is the decadent mascarpone ravioli, served with delicious hunks of butternut squash and a lavish brown butter sauce. Pescatarians should enjoy the whole fish cooked until crisp in a wood-burning oven, with fresh herbs and a simple yet astringent salad of baby arugula and grape tomatoes.