Top Five Pizza Places in NYC

One food that never fails at being delicious is PIZZA! No matter what hour of the day, you can always find a pizzeria open in NYC. From a $1 slice to a $70 pie covered in truffle, there is something for everyone. Here, in my opinion, are the top five pizza spots in NYC:

1. Joe's Pizza
If you're looking for a classic regular slice, Joe's Pizza is the place to go. With four locations in NYC, you can be sure to find a Joe's slice where ever you are. Founded in 1975, Joe's serves an authentic Italian slice from 10 AM to 4 AM everyday. If you're in a cheesy mood, be sure to ask for some fresh mozzarella on top.

Photo Courtesy of @DJSharad

2. Rubirosa Ristorante
If you're looking to sit down at restaurant that serves phenomenal vodka sauce pizza, look no further! Rubirosa is located on Mulberry Street. The menu offers a number of classic Italian dishes and an extensive selection of pizza pies. For the gluten free folks, don't fret because Rubirosa also offers gluten free pizza.

Photo Courtesy of The Infatuation

3. L&B Spumoni Gardens
Located in Brooklyn, this old-school Italian spot has an indoor restaurant as well as a pizzeria. L&B Spumoni Gardens is known for its square Sicilian pizza pie priced at $17.50. After you finish your pizza, make sure to get some homemade spumoni. If you visit L&B during the summer months, give yourself some time because the outdoor seating can get packed.

Photo Courtesy of @LBSpumoniGardens

4. Artichoke Pizza
If you're looking for a late-night slice, this is the place. Artichoke Pizza offers an array of pizza's but is most known for its creamy artichoke slice. Artichoke Pizza has numerous locations in NYC, but more recently opened a location in Miami. If you happen to stop at the 10th Avenue location at night, be prepared to wait in line with intoxicated club-goers that are also looking for their pizza fix.

Photo Courtesy of @ArtichokePizza

5. MAMO
This upscale Italian restaurant is one of the few in NYC that serves a pricey focaccia al tartufo pizza, that features fresh white truffle. MAMO is located on W Broadway in SoHo. Unfortunately, MAMO is currently closed due to a fire that broke out on the second floor. The restaurant will reopen in the fall so make sure to keep them in mind when you get your next truffle craving!

Photo Courtesy of @Mamo_NYC

Pizza is an extremely popular dish and NYC has so many fantastic eateries that offer it. If you think there is a pizza spot that deserves to be on this list, let me know so I can check it out! I am always looking for new places to explore.

How to Snag a Reservation at These Trending NYC Restaurants

How annoying is it when you want to dine at a specific restaurant but you can't get a reservation because they're all booked up? Well here are some tips and tricks that I have learned to get reservations at the following restaurants.

           1.     Le Coucou

•       This upscale and elegant French restaurant is located on Lafayette Street. Le Coucou is constantly booked up and requires advanced reservations. The trick to getting a reservation is to check OpenTable every morning at 10:00 am. At 10:00 am each day, Le Coucou releases upcoming reservations for 24 days in advance. For example, if you would like to dine on August 24, you would need to book that reservation on August 1.

           2.    Carbone

•       This old school Italian restaurant takes classic dishes and refines them by adding a little bit of a twist. If you are looking to try out their infamous spicy rigatoni, you must know how to make a reservation. Carbone is part of Major Food group, a company that owns various restaurants in NYC. The key to making a reservation here is to avoid OpenTable as there is hardly ever any availability. To make a reservation, email reservations@majorfoodgroup.com. They will be able to give you reservation dates and times that are not listed on OpenTable. 

           3.    The Chef’s Table at Brooklyn Fare

•       This sought-after spot combines French and Japanese cuisine for its 25 course dinners served at a price point of $395 per person, plus tax. The Chef’s Table is one of the hardest restaurants to get a reservation at because of its limited seating. The first seating is at 6:30 pm and the second is at 7:45 pm. In order to get a reservation at this exclusive spot, you must call on Monday’s at 10:30 am as you cannot make reservations online. Be sure to have your phone in close proximity when the time hits so that you can call immediately as spots book up at the speed of light.

There are many NYC restaurants that require reservations months in advance. Follow my tips to score reservations at the restaurants I’ve mentioned, as well as others. If you are interested in a particular restaurant that always seems to be booked, give them a call and ask when they release upcoming reservations. With a little bit of persistence and conversation, you can get a reservation where ever you’d like. Enjoy!

The Starch that Goes with Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner

What starch goes with every meal? One that can be prepared in multiple fashions - potatoes! From home fries, to french fries, to mashed potatoes, there is a potato for every meal. Below are a few restaurants in NYC that serve a fantastic potato with their dishes.

Breakfast Potatoes:

• Cupping Room Cafe
• This quaint American eatery located on West Broadway and Broome Street. This cafe opens at 8 am everyday to serve their home fries that guests rave about. The home fries are cooked to crispy perfection with a dash of chopped onions and peppers. Pair the home fries with a side of avocado toast for a delicious combination

Photo Courtesy of @Cabsy_King

• Sarabeth's
• With five locations in NYC, no matter what part of the city you are in you can count on Sarabeth's to serve delicious breakfast and zesty three-pepper home fries. The three-pepper home fries have always been a staple on Sarabeth's breakfast and brunch menus and taste even better when accompanied by the perfectly poached eggs benedict.

Photo Courtesy of Amazon Restaurants

• Lunch Potatoes:

• Pomme Frites
• If you're in the mood just for french fries, this is the place for you. Located on MacDougal Street, Pomme Frites strictly serves authentic Belgian french fries with over 30 sauces to choose from.

Photo Courtesy of @ForkInCle

• STK
• When looking for a more upscale but on a budget lunch option, this NYC steakhouse has two locations with a great prix fixe menu. The perfectly rectangular truffle french fries go great with any dish on the menu!

Photo Courtesy of Yelp

Dinner Potatoes:

• Smith & Wollensky
• This steakhouse located in Midtown East offers multiple potato sides to go with your dinner entree. Cajun baby potatoes, whipped potatoes, and loaded baked potato gratin are just a few of the potato dishes offered. You can't go wrong with any of them!

Photo Courtesy of Trip Advisor

• Anassa Taverna
• For a Greek take on potatoes, Anassa Taverna is the place. Located on the Upper East Side, Anassa Taverna serves tender lemon potatoes with all of its entrees.



Photo Courtesy of Yelp

Potatoes can be cooked numerous ways to accompany any meal at any time of day. Check out one of these restaurants next time you are in the mood for this awesome starch!