The Scoop: Couples in Brooklyn have many options for pizza, but Barboncino takes the humble pizza date to a different level with its authentic Italian pies. The restaurant cooks its traditional Naples-style pizza in an authentic wood-fire oven imported from Italy, and the restaurant is considered one of the best by critics throughout New York City. It also offers a full menu with salads and an impressive selection of wine, beer, and original cocktails to serve any taste.
Pizza is officially the favorite food of American adults, according to a report from USA Today. On any given day, around 13% of people in the country will eat pizza, as reported by a U.S. Department of Agriculture study.
Pizza can even be good for romance. The USA Today report showed 63% of singles said they would be more likely to swipe right if someone mentioned pizza in their online dating profile. It’s the kind of meal that combines a satisfying and popular taste with a casual, fun experience. No wonder so many people go on pizza dates.
Daters in Brooklyn often enjoy connecting over some of the area’s famous pizza on a night out — especially a high-quality pie. Barboncino is a popular local spot that not only makes excellent pizza but also offers a vibrant, welcoming atmosphere for daters.
New York City boasts more than a thousand pizza places, but Barboncino stands out from the crowd. Its extensive menu includes classic and traditional Naples-style pizzas, fresh salads, and an extensive wine, beer, and cocktail menu. That means daters can enjoy a fun evening as they get to know each other over their favorite food.
Many couples frequent the Crown Heights restaurant on date night to order Italian food that is faithful to its cultural roots.
“Our founding mission is to serve the incredible Crown Heights community — and beyond — truly authentic Neapolitan pizza, cooked in a wood-burning oven using the same techniques perfected in Naples, Italy,” said Ron Brown, Barboncino Founder, Owner, and Chef. “We value our guests and want to give them the best time and help them create lasting memories.”
Founded on a Love of Tradition
Ron founded and operated seven different restaurants and food-related businesses before he opened Barboncino. He considers the menu and experience to be a culmination of everything he learned and loved about hospitality and the restaurant business.
It also helps that Ron loves pizza. Before launching Barboncino, he spent six summers in Italy and apprenticed with a master chef to learn the art of Neapolitan pizza. Ron purchased Barboncino’s famous wood-burning oven from just outside Naples, Italy. When he imported it to Brooklyn, he continued to perfect the restaurant’s pizza recipe.
He’s gathered a strong team of employees who create a diverse and eclectic group to cook the meals and provide a welcoming experience during a date.
“We have artists of all types, from jazz musicians to writers and actors and people pursuing higher degrees,” he said. “We all share a love of pizza and treating people well.”
One of the team’s goals is to treat every visitor as if it’s their first time in the restaurant, creating a memorable experience that starts with a smile and continues through to the last bite of pizza.
And diners can choose their experience with available sit-down service, delivery, and take-out with online ordering.
A Full Menu and Liquor Bar Keeps Couples Smiling
Barboncino pizza has earned quite a following, as well as praise and accolades from area experts. Many critics think it’s not only some of the best pizza in New York but also the country.
“Right now, I am craving a Four Cheese Pepperoni. It’s just delicious,” Ron said. “Four cheeses — Parmigiano Reggiano, mozzarella, ricotta, and gorgonzola — melt together in a heavenly combination, then we top it with the best pepperoni money can buy. It’s incredible.”
The restaurant also serves the classic marinara pizza, a Neapolitan meatball pizza, and an eggplant and zucchini pie with organic Italian tomatoes, fior di latte, red pepper flakes, garlic, and extra-virgin olive oil. Daters who prefer a white pizza often choose the arugula pie with cherry tomatoes, fior di latte, garlic, shaved Parmigiano Reggiano, and extra-virgin olive oil. Some even add prosciutto di parma, too.
Barboncino also serves a variety of interesting sides and salads to go with its popular pizzas. Some classic combinations include a kale Caesar with grated Parmigiano Reggiano and wood-fired garlic bread strips or a bibb salad with gorgonzola, toasted walnuts, and a dried cherry vinaigrette.
Barboncino is also well-known for its brunch, thanks to its unique menu of brunch pizzas. Daters come from all around to enjoy the pancetta egg and cheese pizza, with organic eggs, fior di latte, pecorino romano, black pepper, and extra-virgin olive oil. Barboncino also makes pizza frittatas, which is a traditional Italian breakfast baked into its famous dough.
The restaurant has a full liquor bar and a creative list of cocktails for both brunch and dinner.
Barboncino: A Friendly and Fun Environment
Most people who frequent Barboncino say they go because they either live in — or are visiting — the Crown Heights neighborhood in Brooklyn. The restaurant is also a perfect stop after a day at the Brooklyn Museum or Brooklyn Botanic Garden.
For couples with children, the Brooklyn Children’s Museum is also nearby.
“Our environment is tailored for family gatherings earlier in the evening or, when the candles come out later in the night, it’s perfect for a date,” Ron said.
The neighborhood is one of the emerging hot spots in the city, and Ron said he believes those who live there are the “best people on Earth.” It is a diverse community filled with interesting and kind people, many of whom frequent Barboncino for a meal or a drink, he said.
“Because we’ve developed quite a name for ourselves, we also draw customers from all over the city, country, and world,” he said.
People naturally feel relaxed and are ready to enjoy a good meal — especially with Barboncino’s delicious food and welcoming atmosphere.
“I opened Barboncino to give our guests a great experience that they will remember,” Ron said. “We’ve had first dates, proposals, and couples returning to introduce their baby after first meeting at Barboncino.”
In the upcoming months, Ron said he was most excited about the fact that New York City is opening back up after the stay-at-home mandates that disrupted so many pizza dates during the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, the Barboncino team is happy to be returning to their pre-pandemic reputation of high-quality service for daters, couples, and all members of the community.
