Artichoke Basille’s Pizza has been written up for ages, so we decided to finally check it out now that we’ve got one in Chelsea. This is not a standard pizza joint by any stretch of the imagination.

The house specialty, of course, is artichoke pizza. One might think that means artichokes on a margarita pizza. It so isn’t. It is a mozzarella pie topped with creamy, garlicky artichoke and spinach dip and artichoke hearts on artisanal bread-type crust. Calorie counters beware, don’t try this! It’s sinfully delicious. Other standards are the margarita, sicilian, burnt anchovy, meatball, and crabmeat pies. We look forward to trying them all. You can get a ‘quarter pie’ for $12, which is more than enough for two people with an appetizer. The large pie requires 4 people to eat it, at least.

The menu also has a ‘Not Pizza’ section to include appetizers, pasta, and parmesan sandwiches. We tried the ‘Boy’s Favorites’, which was 2 meatballs and 2 pieces of sausage in a bowl of red sauce. Good stuff. And totally correct in its description. We are totally over-meatballed of late, however. The best are at Bar & Burger, followed by Osteria Morini and these fall into third. Please note, this does not mean they are bad. Far from it! But Bar & Burger’s meatballs are food porn. And you cannot beat that.

The space is gigantic and we had no trouble getting a seat. It’s a nice looking exposed brick and tin ceilinged place. The ovens are standard pizza ovens, not brick. Beer and wine are served.

http://www.artichokepizza.com/
114 Tenth Ave. – Chelsea