Food

Bocce USQ: An Open-Air Gem for Pizza and Bocce in the Heart of Union Square

The Pavilion's Seasonal Spot is Open for the Summer

By Ilana Dadras ·
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Photo: Oleg March

Bocce, pizza and spritzes. 

You, good weather, the desire for a little friendly competition.

Roberta's, Charlie Bird and Metta vets, making sure its all done right.

It'll all come together at Bocce USQ: the seasonal pop-up tucked inside Union Square's Pavilion, now open for the warmer months.

It's a no brainer for post-work drinks on a day like today, or any day it's nice out really. The forecast this week is in your favor. So gather some friends or co-workers and approach the monumental structure, alive with the promise of colorful spritzes and competitive pétanque. 

You could head "inside" and claim some of the teal banquette lining the walls, but we might suggest settling into of the more casual benches by the bocce court. They're by the bocce court, after all. Start a game as you wait for your drinks: maybe one of the seven spritzes on offer: there's a rosé spritz with strawberry, a purple spritz with lavender and blackberry shrub, or a Green Market spritz with tequila, cucumber and elderflower. If you see the word "market" on the menu, you know the dish or drink has pulled ingredients from the nearby Union Square Green Market.

And Charlie Bird and Roberta's alum Tim Meyers is behind the pies, which are, coincidentally, just as good as those from Roberta's: the pepperoni with aged mozzarella and pickled chilis; roasted mushroom with blue cheese and fried garlic; and house-made pork sausage and peppers are all solid. Check out the full menu right here

That's about all we've got, so let's throw this over to the slideshow...

Bocce USQ, now open, 20 Union Square West, 212-677-7818, see the menu and the slideshow

Ilana Dadras

Ilana Dadras passes her days writing about good food, talking about good food and consuming good food. Occasionally doing other things, too.

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