What’s a trip to New York City without having a slice or two or more of some spectacular New York Style pizza?  And what better place to indulge ourselves than at the historical Lombardi’s.  According to New York history, Lombardi’s was licensed by the City of New York in 1905, becoming America’s FIRST EVER Pizzeria.  So, a big THANK YOU to Mr. Gennaro Lombardi for introducing us Americans to pizza.

The pizza at Lombardi’s is still being cooked in the original coal burning oven it has had since it opened in 1897.  Coal burning ovens are now illegal in NYC, but thankfully, Lombardi’s got grandfathered in and is still allowed to operate the pizzeria using their coal burning oven.

Personally, I believe that the coal burning oven is key to the overall Lombardi’s pizza experience.  The coal creates an amazing, subtly blackened and smoky underskirt,  that serves as a perfect platform for whatever toppings you decide to put on your pizza. Also, even though the crust is thin and a bit charred, it’s still doughy and chewy.

As for toppings, we chose to keep it simple – tomato sauce, cheese, sausage and mushrooms.  The tomato sauce was fresh, not your usually watered down tomato concoction.  The mozzarella was gooey and piled on generously.  The sausage and mushrooms, though adding to the overall taste, didn’t need to be there as they were merely accessories to an already amazingly delicious pie.  Their caesar salad was a great accompaniment to the meal.  All was washed down happily with a glass of Brooklyn Lager off the tap.

Unfortunately, I didn’t take any pictures of my Lombardi’s experience, as I was too busy stuffing my face.  However, here are some pictures that my friend Mas took on his visit there last Halloween with some friends.  Can you feel the pizza love?

There is usually a wait at Lombardi’s, but well worth it, for probably the best pizza in all of New York City.  They offer sidewalk seating if you prefer, but the restaurant’s cozy interior makes pizza pie consumption all the more blissful.

Happy Spooning and Forking…

*****

Lombardi’s Pizza

32 Spring Street (Btw. Mott & Mulberry)

New York, New York 10012-4173

Phone:  (212) 941-7994