UWS Pizza Tour: Traviata’s Garlic Sauce Surprises

November 16, 2007

If you look for just “Traviata” in the phone book, you won’t find this pizza place. You’ll have to look under “La Traviata.” Apparently there is a “La Traviata” in Brooklyn and when the owner heard about this hole-in-the-wall slice joint with the same name, he strong-armed the “La” right off the awning, hence the present establishment, home of a delicious topping NYC Eats hasn’t found anywhere else: Garlic Sauce

1 slice ($2.25)

You have to respect an unassuming slice joint that wows you in a way you never expected. Traviata did that with the Garlic Sauce. It sits next to the spices in a deli-mustard container without a top. The sauce itself is consists of sliced garlic cloves, red pepper, parsley, oregano, oil, and vinegar. It tastes like the spices on a really good garlic knot.

My advice for using the Garlic Sauce is to scoop some up against the side of the container (you can get it when you order delivery, just ask for a side of garlic sauce) and let most of the oil and vinegar fall off the spoon. Spread the remaining concoction over your slice and dig in. The effect is similar to of folding your slice and rubbing it around on a plate that had a salad on it but now only has dressing left over. When spread on a slice, it makes your pizza slightly tangy and adds some heat, I say use it sparingly and spread evenly because the flavor is strong and can definitely hurt your causes of getting a kiss at the end of the night.