Mootz Pizzeria + Bar in Downtown Detroit Is a Tasty Contender

In a sea of pizzerias in Metro Detroit -- many of which serve pretty darn average pies -- Mootz Pizzeria + Bar at 1230 Library St. downtown is a contender. Really.

Like Buddy's and Supino Pizzeria, it stands out. The New York-style crust is crunchy. The ingredients are first-rate. I had a slice of the Grandma pie -- tomato chunks, garlic, EVOO, fresh mozzarella, basil and grated cheese for $4.99 -- that was outstanding.

The joint, which opened Jan. 28 is split in two: There's the carryout side, which offers slices and full pies. If you want to eat in, there's one standing-only table. The restaurant and bar serves only whole pizzas, meals and starters that include prosciutto and melon, truffled bumblebee (whipped sheeps milk ricotta, honeycomb, fig, truffle honey) and the Italian Standard Fondu (chopped Italian meats, blended Italian cheeses, basil, kalamata olives).

The restaurant also serves "old school" hoagies, salads, chicken parmigiana, gnocchi, meatballs, peasant pasta (prosciutto and parmesean-filled baci, peas, ham, romano cream sauce) and ravioli.

Co-owner Lisa Walters, whose husband is another of the five owners, says the place is open until 10 p.m. during the week. On Friday and Saturday, the slice side is open until 3 a.m. and the bar until 2 a.m. Pizza is available after 11 p.m. at the bar on weekends.

Walters, from Monroe, has the business background and lives downtown with her husband. The co-owner with the pizza knowledge is Tony Sacco, who has been in the pizza business for 51 years, since he was a teenager.