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Let’s discuss the Pizza situation in NYC

May 12, 2016 by Notourguideneeded 3 Comments

 

 

 

Pizza in NYC by the slice doesn’t get much better.

I have had pizza in several different countries.  While they are all the basic foundation things: some sort of dough plus a topping, they can be drastically different in different countries, different cities, even different blocks within a city.

As our cultures melt into one big mess, it is hard to say what is true NY pizza, verses the pizzas you find in other parts of the world.  So many cultures have influenced the NY pizza that you can get almost anything.  Chicago has the deep dish, but even there you can get thin crust.  California pizzas have veggies on them but even there you can find any topping you want.

So, I went in search of the best NYC pizzas.  Now, before you jump down to see if your favorite place is on the list, remember these are MY favorite.

And before we get to my list, I want to start off by saying that the 99cent pizza is good.  Very good after a long evening.  Even better if you have just paid your rent.  But this isn’t about good cheap pizza.  This is about pizza that I crave as I sit in my kitchen 2000 miles away.  This is about pizza that you really cannot get anywhere else.

(not in any real order other than to tell my story)

 

Nizza on 9 and 44th. 

When I go to New York, this is where I eat.  The pizza is wonderful and the atmosphere is warm and cozy.   Ask for the bread and it comes out lightly salted with some oil.  The calamari (because the pizza takes a while to cook) is fried with slices of lemon.  (my mouth is watering just thinking about it).

Favorite pizza – Piccante, switching the sausage out for pepperoni.  (YUM)

 

Lombardis –  Spring & Mott

Lombardis will be on most tourist lists.   It is historical as it became the America’s first pizza place when it was licensed by NY in 1905.  The pizza here is good.  They cook it in an oven that turns the crust crispy on the bottom and you probably will have some parts slightly burnt.. yum!  This is not the fold in half kind of pizza.  This pizza is hot, simple and delish!

The wait is usually long, although they did expand awhile back.

Very casual.  Only takes cash.

 

RubirosaNYC – On Mulberry between Spring and Prince

The hubs and I were in the mood for pizza but the big places all had an hour wait.  We stepped into this little place and spent the whole afternoon there.  The best attraction (besides sitting at the bar and talking to the bartender) was that we had pizza by the slice.  This means variety.  However, I could have easily had anything in a whole pie.   The place is cozy, and they have more than pizza.  We ended our meal with cannoli.  Good grief.

 

Serafina Fabulous Pizza, 79th and Madison

We again stumbled into this fabulous restaurant while wandering around.   This place was full of locals.  Families were getting together here.  A few tourists, but really felt like I was eating in New York.  The people that work there were great and the food was excellent.

 

Famous Famigilia – they are everywhere.  It is also in the airport. 

However, they are still good.  And easy to find.  So, if you find yourself starving while walking around, you can bet this will be a good stop.  They used to be small, opening their first store in 1986.  They now are world wide.   They are still good.

 

What are your favorite places to grab some pizza?  I would love to try something new next time I am there!  Add in comments below..

 

YUM

Filed Under: food, New York City, United States

11 things to Remember when New York City during Christmas

January 2, 2016 by Notourguideneeded Leave a Comment

Tips NYC at Christmas

New York City at Christmas

Many years ago I started going to New York City at Christmas time for shopping and snow viewing.  It has now morphed into my husband’s birthday celebration place.  If you are thinking of going to New York during the Christmas season there are a few things to keep in mind.

 

Weather

We had a great trip this year, even with the weather being crazy.  We arrived on Thursday night and it was hot, then Friday morning it was freezing.  It stayed cold until Monday as we were leaving it was hot again.  Hot being 70 degrees, but that is warm for NYC in December.

A few years back we experienced a blizzard!

Bottom line – be prepared for any type of weather.

 

People

There will be LOTS of people.  More than normal.  And most of these people are panicking because they have a Christmas list of things to buy and time is running out.   The hubs and I quit doing presents a long time ago and therefore are not freaked out.  But you must be on notice that people are really really stressed out.

 

Clothing

While the streets are (usually) freezing, the insides of buildings are usually ridiculously hot.  Prepare for this.  Do not wear heavy sweaters under a heavy coat and then wrap your bag over your shoulder.   Wear layers.  And put your bag under your coat.  Then when you enter the building you can take your coat off without it being an Olympic event.    The locals have this down to an art; you are not a local so don’t even try.  Just put that purse under your coat or be ready to melt.

If you do not own a scarf, buy one immediately when you get to NYC.  I’m from the south so we don’t really need/wear scarves.  I have found over the years though that they are quite handy and wear them often now.   Google a video on the many ways to wear them.   The cold wind in NYC somehow knows how to hit your lips (while chapping them well), and then rush down your neck and into your clothes. Wear a scarf.

You can also use them to breathe through went on the subway and not so great odors appear.

 

Christmas Windows

The Christmas windows are just as pretty in the day as they are at night when people think that is the only time they are up.    They are also up at 9am before the stores even open.  Do not stand in long lines to see the same thing you can see in the morning.  They are beautiful.  Evening and morning they are the same.

 

Other Christmas Activities

If you stand on the church steps at St. Patrick’s on 55 and 5th, you can hear (and kind of see, but not well) the Saks Christmas lights on the building.  Or you can cross the street and stand in the crowd. This, unfortunately does need to be done at night.  It is pretty and should be done.  But please don’t fight the crowd…stand on the steps and lean over a little.  You’ll get the point.

There is nothing more peaceful that watching people ice skate in Central Park.   Forget Rockefeller ice.. it is loud, and touristy.  Bryant Park can be nice too sometimes.

I avoid Time Square at all cost.  If you have never been, go around 9am.  Things start opening up and it is not as crazy as the middle of the afternoon.   There is nothing “christmasy” in TS, so look and then leave.

Nespresso has a shop up by the park, east side.  Forget the Starbucks.  This has a restaurant and the coffees are fabulous.  The store in the back has great servers that will let you sample your heart out too. And they have clean bathrooms.

Lincoln Center has opera and ballets that are wonderful to watch during this time.  Check out their schedules.  It is less hectic and usually much cheaper than a broadway show.

Last but not least, remember to enjoy your self.  And stay away from people with look of panic in their eyes. 🙂

 

 

Saks lights NYC Christmas
The Lights at Saks

Snow in Central Park NYC Christmas
Snow in Central Park

 

 

 

Filed Under: Christmas, Favorite Places, New York City, United States

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