Altro Da Tony is a brand-new restaurant, but with Chef Antonín Sahulka, boasting 20 years of experience (including at Pasta Fresca), at the helm, expectations are understandably high. So far, all Google reviews – albeit only eight – are a perfect five stars.
I arrived relatively early and secured a table without a reservation. Had I arrived around 7 pm, this likely wouldn’t have been the case. Altro Da Tony is off to a strong start with the public, which is always a positive sign for a new establishment!
The restaurant at Korunni 48 is cosy and atmospheric, and the service is very friendly. They specialise in pasta and Neapolitan pizzas, and I was particularly interested in the latter, as I belong to the growing group of people who appreciate this specific pizza style.
Of course, they also offer starters (antipasti), meat dishes (secondi), salads, and desserts.
I was welcomed with a small glass of prosecco and some samples of the house’s homemade bread, a gesture that is always appreciated.
The menu offered several temptations, and I opted for the “Nduja Calabrese” pizza at Czk 285. According to the menu, it included San Marzano tomatoes, Nduja spillinga, yellow Vesuvio tomatoes, mozzarella fior di latte, stracciatella, Grana Padano, and basil. With my love for spicy elements and good cheese, it seemed like a winning combination.
I also chose a glass of red wine, a Primitivo Puglia IGT San M. Pumo at Czk 100, which was decent for the price.
The pizza was visually appealing when it arrived at the table, and the crust was soft and chewy, though it could have been a bit crispier. Personally, I would have preferred it to be cooked a little longer, even if it meant a few more charred spots.
The overall taste was good, and they were generous with the spicy Nduja and mozzarella, perhaps even a bit too generous with the mozzarella, which, as the pizza cooled, almost turned into “cakes” of cheese. But of course, one shouldn’t complain about too much cheese.
Unfortunately, there was no trace of either basil or Grana Padano. I couldn’t see, smell, or taste either. I would have particularly appreciated some fresh basil to balance the cheese.
However, as mentioned, the overall taste was satisfactory.
On the other hand, the pizza was far too soggy and quite difficult to eat. It would have been impossible without a knife and fork.
When I received the bill, I was surprised by the total of Czk 480. It should have been 385. A glass of prosecco had been added, which wasn’t the complimentary welcome drink.
I’m convinced it was an honest mistake, but it’s not the best first impression. The competition in Vinohrady is fierce when it comes to Neapolitan pizza, and as my example was yesterday, places like Gatto Nero on Jagellonská, San Carlo on Anglická, and Da Pietro on Bělehradská would all have done better. However, Altro Da Tony has just opened, so teething problems are to be expected. On the other hand, these issues must be resolved quickly, as there are plenty of alternatives.