"If you walk around Nolita and ask a bunch of strangers what their favorite restaurant is, about a third of them will say Rubirosa. And that’s not a bad answer. Rubirosa is an NYC classic, known for its thin-crust pies and bustling dining room that’s about the width of a subway car. If you need a place for a casual birthday or an impressive group dinner, this restaurant should be near the top of your list. Reservations are scarce, but walk-ins are accepted, and that’s usually how we eat here. Just be aware that the host will probably tell you to come back in two or three hours (which is better than Lucali, but still). Once you get seated, order both a vodka and a tie dye pie." - bryan kim, willa moore