Restaurant Review - Lombardi's Pizza

New York, NY 10012

Lombardi's Pizza 

32 Spring Street

(212)941-7994

http://www.firstpizza.com/

Lombardi's is a signature location being that it is the first pizzeria to open in NYC. Opened by an Italian immigrant who started the tradition of staple foods around the world, the restaurant has over 100 years of tradition since it first opened back in 1905. Unfortunately for that matter, the hype is only behind the fact that it is the first pizza restaurant which ultimately leads it to be the one tourist destination in Little Italy of Nolita. 

Known for their pizzas, it is a must order for anyone who fancies to try out the signature pizza. Being that Italian food is circled around a family tradition, Lombardi's Pizza bakes up a fresh humongous pie that is to be shared. The pizza is ordered to your liking, selecting your desired toppings. It is recommended to share the pizzas between a group, leaving room for the extra things on the menu. Although it is a limited menu, calzones are one of the favorites at Lombardi's Pizza for a stuffed filling that is jammed with melted cheese. 

For anyone going in a bigger group that fancies alcoholic beverages, the fresh sangria pitcher is probably the kicker of the night. There isn't much on the menu for drinks, but we can't say no to a pitcher of sangria! 

All in all, Lombardi's Pizza is honestly just a F-O-M-O. It is one of those things that you may regret not trying when you visited NYC, but there's not much to rave about there. Therefore, get it checked off that bucket list, but don't wait on a long line to do so because you might regret that one as well!

Life in Korea - Take Out

Living in Korea is pretty amazing for a variety of things, especially in comparison to the states for the very reason that it makes life easier and more convenient. One of the amazing things in Korea is of course, the food. It's a little crazy how the same chains that we have back in America are here, but a lot more amazing here. In fact, because of these amazing differences, it is the one reason why I probably eat out here than in back in the states.

Because food in Korea is never a disappointment, eating out all day and grabbing food to go is a common thing. It's also amazing when you are able to get takeout packaged in a special way. There’s a handful of things that is frustrating about getting takeout back at home because the food can get sloppy messy, or simply difficult to handle on the way home. 

Ironic to say the least though, that living in Korea, I’ve definitely learned a handful of new ways and tricks to package takeout which just might come to use when moving back to America. For starters, they always plastic bag everything for you which makes it easy for you to carry it. Utensils are also wrapped in plastic packaging (straws included) which makes it extremely sanitary and you'll always get some kind of utensils, even from Baskin Robbins.

Baskin Robbins is actually amazing in Korea for amazing flavor combinations and a new flavor every month. In addition to this, Baskin Robbins offer actual ice cream cakes that are the cutest thing and made with different flavors. They even slice cakes of different ice cream flavors and piece them together for the ultimate ice cream cake, without an actual cake bottom like back at home. Last rave about Baskin Robbins in Korea is that when you get ice cream packaged up, you actually pick the flavors that you want, not the ones that are fridge packaged already. It is extremely common for families and friends to get buckets to go or enjoy within the ice cream shop. For anything to go, they will offer utensils and candles for cakes, along with dry ice to keep the ice cream from melting.

In addition to my favorite place in Korea, real food takeout in Korea is also amazing. Mini cakes and desserts are always packaged up in palm sized boxes that keeps the cake from sliding around and smashing the cakes against the walls of boxes. Pizza takeout is even more amazing with handles that help to balance the box when walking. This definitely makes it easy to hold a pizza pie without having to burn your hands.

 

The one last thing to rave about is combination takeouts. When ordering a mix of dishes, they will separate the two to prevent any sauces from spilling over. This goes for fried foods as well. When paired with a salad, crispy chicken is separated from the veggies and dressing is on the side (even for doggy bags). It's pretty amazing that Koreans actually care about their food tasting good outside of the restaurant. That's definitely the total package there.

Fresh on the Market - Brew 3.14

Brew 3.14 is a cozy spot in a hidden street by the famous tourist area of Jong-ro where all the traditional Korean locations are. The only thing is, Brew 3.14 is not so traditional. Serving up fresh pizzas and calzones to order, it is the perfect place to grab a drink as well as a bite without splurging your wallet. Pizzas are made on a fresh pizza base that is thin and crispy like a flat bread, topped with fresh ingredients. 

This small bar opens at 5pm, catering to the foreigners in town that live in the nearby hostels and hotels. It is the perfect place to go to for a drink that ranges from beers to their twist on bombs. Incorporating fruits, beer, and alcohol, it is a way to satisfy a big kid's stomach in a way that keeps you lingering around. 

Address: 서울 중로구 인사동 95-1번지

Jongno-gu Insadong 95-1

Phone Number: 070-418-3014

Cheap Eats - Monster Pizza

Monster Pizza located in Hongdae is probably the only spot in Seoul that serves their pizza by the slice. It may sound a little ridiculous, but this small shack resembles the quick stop pick up that New York is known for. It definitely reminds me of the dollar pizza that can be found in St Marks with seating for about 10. This quick pick up is the place to go for a quick bite that is satisfying for just $3.50 a slice.

This is not the place to go and sit around to chit chat. Monster Pizza has the atmosphere of stand up eating where you just grab your pizza, sprinkle on some pepper flakes and go, just the NY style. Opened late hours into the night, Monster Pizza also caters to the boozed and intoxicated locals and foriegners. There's been a few times that I've seen my friends go back for a second round through the night. The popular of course is the Spice Girls which is topped with pepperoni, olives, jalapeños, bacon, and ham, but they also offer the traditional pepperoni slice!

Directions to Monster Pizza: From Hongik University station on line two, take exit 9 and go straight until the light. Make a left and go straight for two blocks. You will be facing the university with gray buildings. Take a right at the light and go straight. Monster Pizza will be about two blocks down where Club NB, Harlem and Phantom is.

Restaurant Review - Vapiano 바피아노

The concept of Vapiano definitely brings it back to New York with quick service and ordering to eat at different stations within the same restaurant. This Italian specialty restaurant cooks up everything Italian which includes pastas, pizzas, salads, sweets and more. Simply order from each station that you desire, creating your own dishes by swiping a card that is your "bill." When ordering, you will be given a buzzer that allows for you to pick up your orders when ready. 

Vapiano offers two floors of seating as well as an outdoor patio that has picnic style benches. It is the perfect place to go to enjoy an Italian meal with high benches and a different style of seating. The atmosphere is welcoming to the busy businessmen during lunch hours and a romantic atmosphere into the later hours at dawn. It is such a popular place that foreigners and Italians themselves go to Vapiano to enjoy a true meal. The difference of Vapiano and many other Italian restaurants is the fact that there are foreigners cooking up the goodies. 

With an open kitchen, you can see everything being made by a true chef. Dishes average at a price of $15 and portions are fairly large. It is definitely recommended to be shared between guests, but not recommended for foreigners because the Italians were able to down a few sample platters themselves. 

There are two locations in Seoul, the address and phone number is as follows:

Samsung 945-27 Daechi-dong Gangnam-gu, Seoul 02-554-7257

Dongdaemun 591-53 Jeonnong-dong, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul 02-3707-1708

Hidden Treasures - When Pigs Fly

When Pigs Fly is a new Italian restaurant that opened in the Nambu area offering a twist to traditional restaurants. The concept is simple, amazing food paired with music. When Pigs Fly cooks up the basic Italian dishes which includes salad, pastas, and of course pizzas. They incorporate a mix of different pasta noodles, and ingredients to each dish that they make, offering something different each time. 

Although the salads and pastas are more on the cliche and common types that you can find anywhere, their pizzas are over the top. They incorporate ingredients that makes their pizza stand out. For starters, there is no one who tops a pizza with and over easy cooked egg or with actual pieces of shrimp. When Pigs Fly definitely blows the fish out of the water with this concept. 

Another great thing about the restaurant is that they stray away from skimping guests on their food. A lot of restaurants that uses seafood in their dishes use the smaller portions, smaller sizes. When Pigs Fly actually goes for the gold with meatier pieces and chunks that you can taste when biting into. There is a full blast of flavor and the choose to keep it that way. 

In addition to fresh ingredients and great food, they offer wine and special events that allows for their private room to be utilized. The facility can be rented out where they cater to small parties. The one thing that When Pigs Fly offers that other restaurants do not is a special event of music held twice a month. Their "Salon Concert" theme is used to create a new type of environment that people are not able to experience on the regular. They theme the night around two dinner sessions used to promote music of Korean performers in the area that can be enjoyed by guests of all ages.

The concept is simple: an hour or so of music that allows for you to "set the mood" for a special night or just to enjoy as a luxury hobby. Followed by that is a dinner of a set menu that the restaurant offers and stirs up fresh. There is nothing better than being able to enjoy a live performance in a romantic setting with a menu of Italian goodies. Be sure to call the restaurant ahead of time to make reservations for these events because they do go fast since it is just priced at $49 a person. The service there is amazing, with a manager that speaks English, catering to the foreign community, encouraging all guests to attend and enjoy their facility. 

Address: Seoul Seocho-gu Seocho 3 Dong, 1446-11 Hyundai Superville 101
서울 서초구 서초3동 1446-11 현대 슈퍼빌101호
Phone: 02-523-5277

Restaurant Review - Pizzaria D’Buzza

Pizzaria D'Buzza is one of the most popular pizza restaurants in Seoul. Known for their wood oven that bakes up the pizza to perfection with a purposely burnt crust, many rave about the restaurant. It is popular among locals and foreigners who know a good pizza. Because it is such a legendary place for pizza, plan to always wait for seating in the restaurant. With a new smaller spot in the Galleria shopping complex of Apgujeong, getting a sample of this good eat is not as hard as it was before.

The must orders are the Margherita con Bufala, Diavola con Olive Nere, and even their calzones if your stomach can hold up to it. Using fresh ingredients, they satisfy the palates of many with a thin crust pizza. 

Address to the original Itaewon location:서울 용산구 한남동 743-33 1층 Seoul Yongsan-gu Hannam Dong 743-33 First floor Phone: 02-794-9474 
Address to the second Itaewon location: 서울 용산구 한남동 740-1 3층 Seoul Yongsan-gu Hannam Dong  740-1 Third floor Phone: 02-795-9474 
Address to the Apgujeong Galleria location:서울 강남구 압구정동 494 갤러리아 서관 지하 1층 Seoul Gangnam-gu Apgujeong-dong 494 Galleria First floor food court Phone: 02-6905-3905 

Hidden Treasures - Crow's Nest

Crow's Nest of Itaewon is the one pizza place that is a must visit for anyone in Korea. Note to anyone going to Crow's Nest, go as a group. Why? Because the must order at Crow's Nest is the 28 inch pizza, the biggest offered. A group is definitely needed to finish this huge pizza in size. There are three toppings that can be ordered with the special 28 inch pizza, but the other smaller options of a 20 and 16 inch is considered still too big for a small group as well. 

The hype behind Crow's Nest is definitely for the size of their pizzas. Although it is popular among many, the pizzas are actually just regular in taste. They average in price of $16 to $30, with the exception of the 28 inch which costs about $60. In addition to the pizzas that they offer, you can simply add your own toppings for an additional $3 per topping. With a handful of other delicious foods that include pastas, seafood, salads, and more, there is a lot to choose from in the menu that range from $10 to $20. One thing that is recommended from the appetizers section is their calamari. They do it up just like back at home with legs and rings battered and deep fried, served with a marina sauce that is thick to taste. Crow's Nest also offers a lunch special and takeout discounts for anyone who is looking for smaller portions and other goodies to enjoy. 

Photos really do no justice for how big the pizza is and it is definitely a surprise to the staff when guests order a 28 inch. Even with a group of five starving girls, we had to call for backup. This meant two extra guys to come and help! 

Pizzas and foods are cooked up rather quickly, unless it is a packed house of course. It is recommended to go to enjoy with a group of friends or if you are looking to satisfy a quick pizza craving. This is not a date setting because of the cuisine and atmosphere at Crow's Pizza. Nonetheless, there is a nice outdoor patio area for guests to utilize as well. 

Address: South Korea, Seoul, Yongsan-gu, Itaewon 1(il)-dong, 112-2

서울 용산구 이태원동 112-2
Phone: 02-749-7888
Directions: Take exit two of the Itaewon Station Exit and take the first left at the street. Make a right on the next street and Crow's Nest will be on your left on the second floor within 30 meters. 

Restaurant Review - L&B's Spumoni Garden

L&B Spumoni Garden

2725 86th Street

Brooklyn NY 11223

(718)449-1230

The one place to go to to get your sicilian pizza fix is L&B's Spumoni Garden. A well known pizzeria and restaurant in the Brooklyn neighborhood, it has also been featured in a handful of media as well. Spumoni Garden is the place go to for outdoor seating, family enjoyment, and of course food. It is the perfect combination of pizza and homemade spumoni with a history over 70 years. 

Once you try a slice of their sicilian pizza, you will definitely go back for more. They break away from the traditional round pizza by baking up square pies all day. The fluffy bread is the one pizza restaurant that you will probably want to eat the crust as well. Although many visit Spumoni Garden for their extremely cheap $2.25 sicilian, the home made spumoni is to die for. Many locals make a drive by just to pick up a cup of spumoni, like myself. When ordering out, it is also likely to order a quart for delivery (maybe not sharing), but for enjoyment. You can't visit L&Bs without having both the speciality sicilian and a cup of spumoni. You'll regret it if you do!

Restaurant Review - Brick Oven Pizza

One of the most popular spots for all foreigners in Gangnam is Brick Oven Pizza which is located out of exit 11, a right from the CGV movie theaters. The concept is taken straight from Brooklyn, baking up fresh pizza when ordered with the right ingredients and everything that you can find from a Brooklyn pizzeria. Yes, this includes pepper flakes, tobasco, garlic, parmesan cheese, garlic knots, and a handful of other Italian delicatessens.

Because some goodies are more popular than others, they can be sold out from time to time. This includes the garlic knots so it can be a bit sad, but there are a variety of other things on the menu that will leave your stomach satisfied. Pizzas average at a price of $25 which can be shared between two or more. 

Baked fresh, it is one of the foreigner's favorite pizza spots. Unlike many other locations in Korea that incorporates their own flavors and cultural flavors, Brick Oven Pizza is authentic from New York. The best part about the restaurant is being able to speak English and being served by those who are native to your language. It definitely takes you away from Korea and provides a "homey" feeling. When you're craving that pie of pizza, be sure to check out Brick Oven and bond with the staff who is extra friendly!

Restaurant Review - Bella Vita

Bella Vita
211 West 43rd Street
New York, NY 10036
(212) 730-1479

Catching up with an old friend is always great; catching up with an old friend over food is the best part! I was going to order a salad (since it’s day one of my diet) or a traditional dish of pasta today at Bella Vita off of Times Square, but I couldn’t help the comment from the family sitting next to me, “This is the best pizza I ever had.” Personally, I am not a big fan of thin pizzas and I told myself I need to diet but I went ahead and ordered a slice anyway. I have to admit, it wasn’t the greatest pizza I’ve ever had so I don’t recommend it, but what I do recommend is the piece of Panini I stole from my good ol’ friend. It was full of flavor plus it comes with a side of salad. That’s a great take for a lunch!

For a New York restaurant, especially one in tourist attraction area, Bella Vita does not overcharge for their food. I definitely recommend family style meals because the plates are just HUGE! Pizzas can be ordered in a large and small, a small can just about make two tummies content whereas a large can fill three. If you're a pizza lover and can tolerate spice, definitely go for the Buffalo Chicken and let me know how it tastes (I was bummed I couldn't try it since the waitress said its VERY spicy).

For the price and amount of food they give, it’s definitely worth a trip. Just remember to balance your meals because I have to admit, I gained a heck of a lot of weight my second year of college since I ate pasta for dinner every night. How did I get by? I really don't even know. I recommend ordering their Arugula salad that's full of other goodies. So the next time you're out in Times Square, drop by for cheap, abundant, filling eats!