East Village’s New Roman Pizzeria Is ‘Terrific,’ Critics Say

Critics praise Mani in Pasta’s Roman-style pizzas

East Village’s five-month-old pizza restaurant Mani in Pasta from chef-owner Giuseppe Manco is apparently already a hit. Manco spent the first part of his career making Neapolitan-style pizzas in Italy and the U.S. before switching to Roman-style pizzas, which he’s now considered a specialist in. Critics at Grub Street note that his pan pizzas are “terrific,” highlighting the margherita and carbonara versions in particular. The restaurant also serves up Roman pastas and pinsa, flatbreads made with the same dough as the pizzas but pressed thinner.

Breads Bakery to get its cheesecake on

Essential New York bakery/top-notch Jewish bakery Breads Bakery is re-upping its annual cheesecake month for May. Until June 2nd, it’s selling cheesecake babka, a lemon ricotta cheesecake, a classic cheesecake, cheese and onion challah, and cheesecake jars that come in caramel speculoos, Oreo, or tiramisu flavors. They will be available from May 1 to June 2.

A dinner series and wine night at Popina

Popina is launching its monthly cookout series, featuring bands, brewers, and guest chefs, who will cook dinner in collaboration with Popina chef Chris McDade. First up is Walnut Street Cafe’s Daniel Eddy on May 20. Future guest chefs include Bill Durney of Hometown BBQ and TJ Steele of Claro. Tickets can be purchased here. Separate from the series, Eric Railsback of Lieu Dit Wines is set to do a wine takeover at Popina tonight, serving up some of Lieu Dit’s latest releases by the glass.

Two coming attractions and a closing

Chinatown is getting a new, yet-to-be-named pizza-by-the-slice joint on East Broadway between Pike and Rutgers streets, and a new cafe is in the works in the former Ayios Greek Rotisserie space at 2 St. Mark’s Pl. at Third Avenue in East Village. Also in the East Village, bar No Malice Palace — which has been experiencing sporadic closures ever since its owner Phil Sherman died in November 2016 — is currently “closed until further notice,” according to a sign posted on the exterior.