PIZZA REVIEW in New York: Corner Slice

SADLY, CORNER SLICE IS NOW CLOSED.

When Ivan Orkin opened up his now infamous ramen shop in Tokyo, I imagine the Japanese customers were a bit skeptical, Here was a white Jewish kid from Brooklyn taking on their traditional noodle dishes. But it was hit. And when Orkin opened up Ivan Ramen here in New York, it was embraced and still has lines out the door on Clinton Street.

So you have to understand that I was a bit skeptical when this guy from New York who basically conquered the ramen world thinks he can make pizza. But of course he can. That stuff stays in your blood.

Corner Slice opened last year in Gotham West Market, the place the first Ivan Ramen debuted (and still serves noodles to a quieter crowd). And it was met with some mixed reviews. But I’m here to tell you based on my random Monday afternoon outing, it deserves some major love.

The slices are all square and simply come as Tomato, Cheese, White, or Soppresata. There are also some random but interesting additional menu items, from housemate pastries to a frozen root beer float.

It wasn’t too big of a slice, but a nice modest snack at $3.25. The first thing I noticed was how tender the dough was – it literally broke apart when I picked it up like a soft chocolate chip cookie.

I was very impressed that this managed to walk the delicate line between cheap greasy corner slice and a complex balanced flatbread. Bright acidic tomatoes burst in my first bite and were then rounded out by sharp cheese. It all stood up to the doughy but crisp base.

I wouldn’t go so far as to say it was charred at the edges, but it still had a buttery crunch. I found it nostalgic, surprising, and completely satisfying on all levels.

What can this guy do next? I can only imagine and am eager to find out.

Is Corner Slice the best pizza in NY? I was blown away by its high-quality balance underneath the greasy nostalgia. It’s worth the walk out west and gets a 9 out of 10.