Madison Square Garden And Yankee Stadium...

Since this is near and dear to my heart, even though it is well worn territory on here. ... Two types of pizza to consider. There are your "by the slice" places and there are your "sit-down by the pie" places. I'm not sure what you have in mind.

By the slice, most of what you get in Manhattan is going to be the same. Anything cheap will be skimping on ingredients -- the cheese will be rubbery (likely because there is synthetic rubber in it). So be wary of anyone selling "dollar a slices." Anything else will be fairly similar (with differences based on sauce, dough, amount of cheese, etc.), whether it is Pizza Suprema, the various Famiglia's, Two Boots, etc. If it is a quick drunk slice, I am partial to places like Ben's (one in Soho, one in the Village on W. 3rd). It's consistent, at least. Unfortunately, most of the best slices are in the outer boroughs. Louie and Ernie's in the Bronx, Di Fara's all the way out in the Brooklyn hinterlands, Brother's in Queens, etc. I have ventured far and wide to sample. There used to be way more extraordinary slices in Manhattan, but unfortunately, rents have driven a lot of the best places away over the last 10 to 20 years. If you really want some great outer borough places, PM me. They will probably be a trip, though, just for a slice of pizza.

The sit down places are more interesting. For my money, the best pizza in NYC is Juliana's. This is one of the few things in New York that tourists have right. If you walk across the Brooklyn Bridge, it's right on the other side on Old Fulton St. Go down to the park on the water if you do that walk. It's pretty cool and has stunning views. There are now 3 pizza places around there. It's become kind of a cottage industry, because the original Grimaldi's was the go-to place back in the day. You'll see Grimaldi's, Juliana's and closer to Water Street (heading toward Dumbo) Ignazio's. Juliana's is in the original Grimaldi's storefront and it is run by the original Grimaldi family. They sold their name and place years ago to the people who now run Grimaldi's, which moved to the corner for more space. Grimaldi's is OK, but I can name 10 better places in NY at this point. Don't touch Ignazio's. They try to sweep up the leftover tourists when there are long lines at the other two. Grimaldi's is fine, Juliana's is better. The original guys got back into the game. and they have the original coal-fired oven and just know how to do it. There may be lines, but that is what you are dealing with.

If you don't venture over the bridge, there is some really good sit-down pizza in Manhattan. I am very partial to Keste on Bleeker Street in the West Village. Lombardi's In Soho is very good, too, and gives you a bit of the old school vibe and ambiance to go with a very solid thin-crust pizza. It may be the oldest pizza place in the U.S. There are various foofy pie places that are actually pretty good, but probably won't give the experience you might be looking for. For example, Marta on 28th or 29th is owned by Danny Meyer. Or Otto Enoteca off of 5th Ave. in the Village is a Mario Batali place (pizza is so-s0, but they have the best gelato ever). If you happen to hit it, get the olive oil gelato and ask for sea salt on the side. It is life-changing. In fact, we often just go out elsewhere and stop there on the way home and sit near the bar and order the gelato.

If you want any other sit-down recommendations, PM me. I take my pizza seriously. ... but of course there is no accounting for my taste.

 

There was a shopping mall (operated by the same people) underneath the twin towers. They rebuilt what was destroyed, 15 years later. In fact, there was already a plan in place to expand the mall when the towers were destroyed. This has nothing to do with the victims of 9/11, nor is it disrespectful. It's about finally rebuilding what was destroyed. Should the area have just remained a giant hole in the ground?

 

Cran and I say thanks for calling, thanks for the required "when in NYC beer." Jeez. Some guys.

I walk through part of that new mall on my way to the office every day. I haven't seen a store there yet you can't find elsewhere so I don't know if I'd make a special trip. But if you're in the area, it is certainly a way to spend a few more bucks. The new transportation station is interesting looking, the PATH and (I think) 11 subway lines go through there.