Lombardi's

 When craving good pizza Lombardi's is definetly the place to go.  It's not only an excellent food adventure but also good to bring family and friends from out of town, to show how real New Yorkers dine. Crowded, loud, long wait for the table, but when the pizza comes out you forget all about it.

 I took my mom (visiting from Hungary) there on a friday night, so expected some wait.  People where lined up outside waiting for their names to be called for the next available table.  We grabbed some wine at the bar. Got into a conversation with a couple from LA.  Which reminds me how easy is to meet people in NY for casual chatting when stuck at a bar waiting to be seated.  Even though we had to wait a good half an hour 45 minutes, i felt like it flew by quickly and pleasantly.

 Apparently the restaurant opened up in 1897 as the FIRST pizzeria in the US, when pizza wasn't even a popular thing at all.  And i'm adding here that last year i did visit Naples and one of the first ever pizzeria in the World called Da Michele (recognized by most women as the Eat, Pray, Love eatery).  They only serve Margherita with cheese, or double cheese.  Of course my boyfriend Jason immediately asks for one with funghi (mushroom).  The horror.

 Anyways, back to the Big Apple.  Once Lombardi's were opened they pretty much went through three generations before shutting down around 1984 due to the neighborhood's turn to the worst.  But reopened it's doors in 1994 by a childhood friend of the original owner's grandson, who relocated it to it's current location on 32 Spring St.  They pretty much started with one small spot, and expended next door as space became available.

 The growing popularity of the place is unquestionable. The original oven still in use from 1905 can be seen as you pass by the kitchen on the way to the backrooms.  It's awesome.  Quick and friendly service. Pictures of famous people with the owner covering the original brick walls.  The crust is not as thin as i'd normally like it,  a bit more bready, but still very tasty.  It's perfect.  Red and white tablecloth, chipped wine glasses, and a wide variety of delicious pizza toppings.  I'm hooked.