A neighborhood ritual with New York bones
The first thing you notice is the rhythm. Ovens hum. A fresh pie slides to the counter. Someone calls out for a grandma slice. A parent reminds a kid not to inhale the first bite. Libretto’s is a Ballantyne ritual, and we’ve charted its arc in our feature, Libretto’s Pizzeria in Ballantyne: NYC roots, neighborhood heart, and a pizza-Pilates family story. It’s the pre-game stop, the post-practice treat, the “we’re not cooking tonight” solution that doesn’t require a debate.
What to order, how to pace it
Keep it classic if you’re new. A plain slice carries the shop’s confidence. Once you’re settled, add a second slice for contrast. Let the crust talk and the toppings follow. Bring friends who know how to pass plates without ceremony.
Across the way: grace and grit
There’s a reason we paired this with our studio profile. The energy across the street tells the rest of the story. Read: Finding Grace at The Daily Pilates. Good form belongs in every part of life, even when the reward is a slice folded neatly in two.
Community, counted in returns
We track what a place means by how often people return. Libretto’s scores high. The staff remembers your rhythm. You get a nod when you walk in. The place becomes the plan, not a plan B.
About the Author
Hi, I’m Nell Thomas, senior writer at The Charlotte Mercury and a frequent walker of Ballantyne. I write with a latte in hand from Einstein Bros. Bagels (Ballantyne), where the rotation includes a classic bagel with shmear, a bacon-egg-cheese when deadlines loom, and hot coffee strong enough to file on time. You can also find my work at CLTMercury.com because Strolling Ballantyne is part of The Mercury family.
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And if you have a story, a pet worth bragging about, or a slice opinion that might start an argument, send it our way: ballantyne@strollmag.com. Everyone has a story worth sharing.
Creative Commons License
© 2025 Strolling Ballantyne / The Charlotte Mercury
This article, “Why Libretto’s Ballantyne Still Feels Like Your Neighborhood Slice,” by Nell Thomas is licensed under CC BY-ND 4.0.
“Why Libretto’s Ballantyne Still Feels Like Your Neighborhood Slice”
by Nell Thomas, Strolling Ballantyne (CC BY-ND 4.0)