Baby Luc's

$4.33? Come on. It don't effect the score for me. But I couldn't believe that tax wasn't included in the $4 a slice price tag—Via Roma down the block does $6 for two slices and a can of soda. But now that that's outta the way…Baby Luc's! I was looking forward to this. Lucali's is a couple blocks away. And even by 3pm, a line was forming there. That's typical. So I think a lot of people will think to come here. Now there's a problem with that: they only sell squares. So you're not getting anything like a Lucali's pie. And I have to be honest, squares aren't my favorite. I much prefer a standard steel or stone/brick oven crust and a round pie. But the quality of ingredients stick out here. Great sauce on top slice slathered on here, real microshaved parmigiano reggiano, and basil. More runny than pasty but not watery. Naturally umami, neutral not naturally sweet, and seasoned simply. Mozzerella is hard to comment on. Not a lot under there. But the grated cheese adds a richness that melts in your mouth. The crust is pan cooked, which is not my favorite. But crunchy at the edge and bottom yet spongy in the center. Airy, light, and thinner than Sicilians. This on a round pie style crust would move it up the scale for me. But I'm trying to score somewhat objective. It's good but not my style.