Grimaldi's Pizzeria — Restaurant in New York

MOUTHSATIONAL LUNCH ! Without a doubt Grimaldi's Pizzeria in Brooklyn, NY is one of the most famous pizza spots in the USA if not the world. Back in 2021 we intended to walk over the Brooklyn Bridge then do lunch at Grimaldi's but we ran out of time during our 8 day vacation. NOT THIS TRIP ! My wife and I were back in early Sept for 2 weeks to take in the 2024 US Tennis Open. We had a fabulous time at the tennis watching the Italian Jannik Sinner play Jack Draper from Great Britain in the first semi-final...Sinner won. And we dined at a few sensational restaurants incl the brand new Din Tai Fung on Broadway...the largest in the world. However we were really looking forward to walking over the Brooklyn Bridge and then enjoyin' lunch at Grimaldi's. THE BIG DAY ! On Monday, Sept 16th we took the subway to the Fulton St train station and then walked a short distance to the Brooklyn Bridge. WOW ! It was around 11.45am when we started our leisurely stroll over the bridge. The views were outstanding.....Ellis Island, Statue of Liberty & lots more. There were stacks of other people making the walk but it was never too crowded. We made it to the other side in 30 minutes and then to Grimaldi's Pizzeria on Front St. WE GOT LUCKY ! When we arrived at the front entrance around 12.30pm there was not even a long line outside. A charming hostess named Mary showed us to a table within 15 minutes. FIRST UP ! We asked Mark our helpful server for iced waters and a beer....Brooklyn "Pulp Art" Hazy IPA which is a fav of mine. PIZZA ! We were pretty starving after all the morning's exercise so we wanted a nice big pizza. They had a ton of options on the menu but in the end we chose a 16 inch half THE DON ( Our Traditional Pizza Topped with Italian Sausage, Meatballs and Pepperoni ) and half BROOKLYN BRIDGE ( Roasted Bell Peppers, Creamy Ricotta Cheese and Hand Pinched Italian Sausage, atop our Traditional Pizza ). I guess you could call it a meat lover's pizza. My ice cold beer arrived quickly and tasted fabulous...a really good hazy IPA ! We must have been the early birds for lunch because the joint was packing up real fast. While waiting for our pizza to come out I met up with the 2 friendly Pizzaiolos...Issa and Juan working the coal fired brick oven. I even had a nice chat with Noah who was cutting up the pizzas as they were ready. WHOO HOO ! Soon after 1pm our magnificent looking 16 inch pizza hit the table. We asked Mark our server for some grated parmigiana and chili flakes which he delivered promptly. Our pizza tasted absolutely delicious....our chosen combo of The Don and Brooklyn Bridge was perfect. The texture and taste of the base was different to the Neapolitan ones we were used to...a little firmer and richer in flavor. WE LOVED IT ! Their dessert menu...we checked it out when we looked them up online was too tempting to resist. HOUSE-MADE CHEESECAKES ! My wife ordered the Oreo Cookie while I had to have the New York Style. They both came out within a few short minutes and looked very decadent. AND THEY WERE ! What a sensationally delicious finale to our amazing lunch. WE'LL BE BACK IN...

MOUTHSATIONAL LUNCH ! Without a doubt Grimaldi's Pizzeria in Brooklyn, NY is one of the most famous pizza spots in the USA if not the world. Back in 2021 we intended to walk over the Brooklyn Bridge then do lunch at Grimaldi's but we ran out of time during our 8 day vacation. NOT THIS TRIP ! My wife and I were back in early Sept for 2 weeks to take in the 2024 US Tennis Open. We had a fabulous time at the tennis watching the Italian Jannik Sinner play Jack Draper from Great Britain in the first semi-final...Sinner won. And we dined at a few sensational restaurants incl the brand new Din Tai Fung on Broadway...the largest in the world. However we were really looking forward to walking over the Brooklyn Bridge and then enjoyin' lunch at Grimaldi's. THE BIG DAY ! On Monday, Sept 16th we took the subway to the Fulton St train station and then walked a short distance to the Brooklyn Bridge. WOW ! It was around 11.45am when we started our leisurely stroll over the bridge. The views were outstanding.....Ellis Island, Statue of Liberty & lots more. There were stacks of other people making the walk but it was never too crowded. We made it to the other side in 30 minutes and then to Grimaldi's Pizzeria on Front St. WE GOT LUCKY ! When we arrived at the front entrance around 12.30pm there was not even a long line outside. A charming hostess named Mary showed us to a table within 15 minutes. FIRST UP ! We asked Mark our helpful server for iced waters and a beer....Brooklyn "Pulp Art" Hazy IPA which is a fav of mine. PIZZA ! We were pretty starving after all the morning's exercise so we wanted a nice big pizza. They had a ton of options on the menu but in the end we chose a 16 inch half THE DON ( Our Traditional Pizza Topped with Italian Sausage, Meatballs and Pepperoni ) and half BROOKLYN BRIDGE ( Roasted Bell Peppers, Creamy Ricotta Cheese and Hand Pinched Italian Sausage, atop our Traditional Pizza ). I guess you could call it a meat lover's pizza. My ice cold beer arrived quickly and tasted fabulous...a really good hazy IPA ! We must have been the early birds for lunch because the joint was packing up real fast. While waiting for our pizza to come out I met up with the 2 friendly Pizzaiolos...Issa and Juan working the coal fired brick oven. I even had a nice chat with Noah who was cutting up the pizzas as they were ready. WHOO HOO ! Soon after 1pm our magnificent looking 16 inch pizza hit the table. We asked Mark our server for some grated parmigiana and chili flakes which he delivered promptly. Our pizza tasted absolutely delicious....our chosen combo of The Don and Brooklyn Bridge was perfect. The texture and taste of the base was different to the Neapolitan ones we were used to...a little firmer and richer in flavor. WE LOVED IT ! Their dessert menu...we checked it out when we looked them up online was too tempting to resist. HOUSE-MADE CHEESECAKES ! My wife ordered the Oreo Cookie while I had to have the New York Style. They both came out within a few short minutes and looked very decadent. AND THEY WERE ! What a sensationally delicious finale to our amazing lunch. WE'LL BE BACK IN...

Title: A Memorable Journey into New York's Authentic Pizza Scene!

Review: I recently had the pleasure of dining at Grimaldi's Restaurant at 1 Front Street in Brooklyn and was taken by the enchanting experience I enjoyed. From the moment I stepped into the picturesque queue to the last sip of my cappuccino, Grimaldi's proved to be a culinary gem in the heart of Brooklyn.

I started my day at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, after which I lined up outside Grimaldi's, camera over my shoulder, an apparent tourist in this vibrant city. Yet, I was never made to feel out of place. Despite arriving a little early, I was welcomed graciously by the staff, who promptly seated me at a cozy table for two – a kind gesture I greatly appreciated as a solo diner.

The restaurant's charm lies not only in its delicious food but also in its distinctive rustic, New York-Italian decor. Exposed brick walls, checkered tablecloths, handcrafted wine bottle chandeliers, and black and white photographs of Brooklyn set a comfortable, nostalgic scene.

My opening act, the Grimaldi's House Salad, was served in a generous bowl, bursting with freshness and flavor. Then came the main event - the pizza! An entire pie, half traditional and half Margherita, had a thin crust and unique smoky flavor from their coal-fired oven. This meal was not your run-of-the-mill New York pizza but a true homage to Italian origins. I relished every bite and packed the remainder for a delicious encore at home.

Rounding off the evening, I indulged in a cannoli sprinkled with chocolate chips and a warm cappuccino - a perfect finale to my dining experience. The background playlist featuring an eclectic mix of classic rock, pop, and Italian tunes created a pleasant atmosphere without interrupting conversations.

What delighted me was Grimaldi's open-kitchen concept, which allowed me to witness the creation of their exceptional pizzas. The sight of the coal-fired ovens, glowing at a scorching 1,200 degrees, added a touch of theatre to the whole experience.

The combination of Grimaldi's casual and relaxed environment made for a fantastic dining experience. Its high-quality, delicious food and excellent service made it even better.

It is no wonder celebrities like Bill Clinton, Tom Hanks, Madonna, and, more recently, Ron DeSantis have been spotted enjoying the restaurant's charm.

In summary, Grimaldi's Restaurant stands out not just for its culinary excellence but also for the authenticity of its ambiance and the welcoming nature of its staff. This pizzeria is a must-visit for out-of-towners and locals seeking a significant slice of New York's pizza...