Pie in the sky no more — Brooklyn pizza’s flights of fancy

BY JAIME DEJESUS & HELEN KLEIN

It’s been a long time since pizza was just, well…pizza.

Where, once upon a time, you had a choice between square and round, or maybe grandma-style with fresh mozzarella, today the choices are nearly endless.

And, we’re not talking about the national chains, whose creations are more likely than not to draw scorn here in Brooklyn, which prides itself on its selective pizza palate.

Now, pretty much every corner pizzeria — not to mention the fancy joints with the wood-fired ovens — serves up at least a few options that go way beyond the classic tomato sauce and melted cheese on a crackling crisp round or pillowy and luxurious square crust.

Whether you’re adventurous or strictly traditional in your approach to the Italian-born and Brooklyn-bred favorite, the borough is a veritable treasure trove of options for pizza-lovers, plus some non-pizza offerings that pique our taste buds.

Here are a few that have come to our attention; we are confident, however, that there are many other mouthwatering options around the borough.

For instance, Giacomo’s, 7902 Third Avenue, is renowned for its delicious and unique Nutella Calzone, as well as a selection of savory options, ranging from its Arrabbiata Pizza, which includes tomato sauce, mozzarella, grilled chicken and hot cherry peppers, to Lasagna Pizza to Pollo Pizza, rich with tomato sauce, mozzarella, chicken cutlet, broccoli and grated parmigiana, and Vodka Pizza, featuring a vodka sauce more often associated with penne plus fresh mozzarella, grilled chicken and peas.

Krispy Pizza, 7112 13th Avenue, has tons of unique pizza offerings. Cheesesteak Pizza flaunts a thin crust topped with steak, peppers, onions, a splash of tomato sauce, shredded mozzarella, and a little yellow cheese. Its Eggplant Parm Pizza is also a thin crust pizza and includes dollops of ricotta cheese, chunks of fried eggplant, just a dollop of tomato sauce, plus grated cheese and shredded mozzarella. It is also topped with basil.

Of all its offerings, Krispy’s Balsamic Chicken Salad Pizza sounds the most adventurous. It is served cold and includes mixed greens, grape tomatoes, grilled chicken, feta cheese and a balsamic glaze atop a thin crust.

Bay Ridge Pizza, 7704 Fifth Avenue, also serves up Lasagna Pizza as well as Grilled Chicken Caesar Pizza, Chicken Parmigiana Pizza and Boar’s Head Ham Pizza. The most unusual option, however, has to be its Taco Pizza. The eatery also offers a gluten-free cheese pizza.

At Tony’s Pizza, 7623 13th Avenue, the selection is broad and intriguing, including Carbonaro Pizza with Alfredo sauce and bits of bacon; Caramello Sicilian Pizza with caramelized onions; and Hawaiian Pizza, with ham and pineapple.

It may not have pizza in its name, but Annabelle’s Pastaria, 717 86th Street , offers great pies among them the Grilled Veggie Fontina, which has eggplant, zucchini, red onion, mushrooms and fontina cheese, and the definitely addictive Toscana, studded with Prosciutto di parma, arugula, shaved parmigiano reggiano and olive oil.

Over at Mia’s Pizza Shop, 8424 13th Avenue in Dyker Heights, Buffalo Chicken and Tossed Salad Pizzas are on the menu as well as the Mia Lucia, which combines toasted bread crumbs, caramelized onions, grated parmesan cheese and extra virgin olive oil. For veggie lovers, Mia’s Primavera Pizza has sauteed zucchini, peppers, onions, eggplant and spinach, and for those who enjoy their pie with cured meat, Mia’s Parma Pizza features prosciutto di Parma, along with arugula, fresh mozzarella cheese and truffle oil.

Mancini’s Woodfired Pizza, 8504 Fifth Avenue, hits the sweet spot with its Nutella Pizza that also includes marshmallow, strawberries and powdered sugar, and also offers a variety of innovative savory pies, from Truffle Oiled Pizza with fresh mozzarella, fontina, mushroom, truffle oil, basil and Parmigiano to Quattro Stagioni Pizza, which brings together a quartet of options in a single pie.

Nestled next door to its eponymous sit-down restaurant, La Sorrentina Pizzeria, 6522 11th Avenue, offers its famous Breadcrumb and Upside Down Pizzas, the latter a Sicilian square crusted beauty layered with mozzarella and then tomato sauce on top, as well as a wide range of traditional pies.

The family-owned Rocco’s Pizzeria, 7818 Fifth Avenue, is known for its traditional pies but also offers a wide range of variants including Philly Cheese Steak Pizza, Spinach Alfredo Pizza, Chicken Francese Pizza and pizza with a whole wheat flour crust.

Also known for classic pizzas is Bklyn’s Pizza, 1406 86th Street, but it too has a selection of less traditional offerings — from Chicken Bacon Ranch Pizza to Upside Down Pizza to Pan Lasagna Pizza.

Down in Sheepshead Bay, head to V & S Pizza, 1723 Emmons Avenue, which, along with traditional pies, offers Salad Pizza, Buffalo Chicken and Bruschetta Chicken Pizza, as well as loaded Vegetable Pizza.

What if you want a good, old-fashioned slice, be it square or wedge?

One of the top spots in Bay Ridge is Pizza Wagon, 8610 Fifth Avenue. You can’t go wrong at this neighborhood fixture, especially for the price. If you’re in the mood for rolls, they serve a variety of them, including chicken, meatball, spinach and sausage, and of course, calzone.

Da Vinci Pizzeria, 6514 18th Avenue, a Bensonhurst staple, also offers the old-school menu you’d expect at a storied establishment. It’s particularly well-known for its Sicilian pies, that are fluffy, well-baked and with a fantastic sauce-to-cheese-to-crust ratio.

And, speaking of square slices, you don’t get much more famous than L&B Spumoni Gardens, 2725 86th Street. Opened in 1939, the eatery has won countless awards for its famous Sicilian square pizzas. Maybe it’s the sauce or the cheese that make the Gravesend establishment a staple for the borough.

J&V Pizzeria, 6322 18th Avenue, has been a Bensonhurst stable since 1950 and there’s good reason for it. Its round, grandma and square pies are delicious. The eatery continue to gain accolades as it recently won The Brooklyn Food Experience’s Pizza Super Bowl Championship on Facebook.

And, speaking of history, storied Patsy’s Pizzeria recently opened at 8814 Third Avenue in Bay Ridge. With decades of pizza glory behind it, the newly minted neighborhood eatery serves all types of delicious dishes but the pizza is a must have. Whether it’s the Original Coal Oven Pizza or the Alla Vodka, you can’t go wrong.