Chic and Crusty

Just in time for the recession, pizza appears to be New York’s new must-try haute cuisine — with fancy (yet frugal) pizzerias popping up all over the city. First there was Motorino in Williamsburg, whose Neopolitan-style pies Transracial can personally attest are worth the L Train crush. Now comes a pair of new posh pie-makers — Co. in Chelsea and Cataldo’s Restaurant & Pizzeria in Prospect Heights. Of the two, Co. is luring most of the cool kids — who are swooning for its light and airy goodness courtesy of owner Jim Lahey, best known for his legendary Sullivan Street Bakery. Back in Brooklyn, Cataldo’s pies come individually-sized and fresh from a wood-burning oven.

Cataldo’s Restaurant + Pizzeria: 554 Vanderbilt Avenue; 718-857-6700