Patsy Grimaldi—the flour-dusted legend behind
Grimaldi's, which has since changed hands—busts out of retirement to reclaim his
pie shop's first location, along with its original coal oven. The octogenarian pizzaiolo–who learned to spin dough at age 13 in his Uncle Patsy Lancieri's Harlem institution—named the spot after his mother. The menu spotlights iconic red-sauce fare, including classic pies (Margherita, sausage and broccoli rabe), appetizers (eggplant
rollatine, baked clams with parsley) and
desserts (cannoli). But the New York icon also mixed in a few nods to modern times: creative pizzas (such as a bagellike riff made with lox and mascarpone) and a proprietary chocolate-and-raspberry flavor from nearby
Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory. Another throwback touch: An antique jukebox plays Patsy's favorite Sinatra tunes.
19 Old Fulton St between Elizabeth and Front Sts (718-596-6700)