Lombardi's

One good thing about working where Chinatown meets Little Italy is that I'm close to SoHo, the LES, downtown, etc. The bad part is that the majority of the eats around here are cheap Chinese or expensive Italian. Let's just say it gets a little boring.

However, there are fantastic restaurants a little closer to SoHo, and we're lucky that some of them will deliver to us, like Lombardi's. The restaurant is famous for its excellent pizza, but also its long lines. I'm fortunate to be able to order from it where I work, so I never have to worry about waiting. However, Laurel and I decided to brave the lines and see how long it would take on a weekday after work. There wasn't a ton of people there, so we got in fairly quickly. The pizza is a little expensive for...pizza, but it's tasty and worth it. We got the sweet sausage pizza, and it was pretty good, but my favorite would definitely have to be the meatball pizza. It's absolutely yummy. The meatballs are soft and not overcooked with just the right amount of spices. '

And just so you know, the restaurant is a lot bigger than it looks - there is a downstairs. - Jennifer

I really, really love pizza. That is one thing that I really, really love about New York--so much good pizza everywhere. Lombardi's makes a lot of claims.. first this, best that.. it's all over their website and all over their storefront. The long lines bring big expectations!

On a weekday night the wait isn't quite so bad. Jennifer and I waited for about half an hour before we were seated. We paid about $25 for our large pizza (as she said, a little steep in pizza dollars), but I will say it was a good pie. The crust was crispy and very tasty, and the toppings were well-balanced. I was definitely satisfied after devouring a couple of slices. It is pretty similar to Grimaldi's, which has similarly super long lines and which I will have to review at a later time.

The service is decent and the ambiance is...well...okay. The food is definitely the best part, and might be worth it if you go for lunch or a weeknight when you have some time. It'd be even cooler if you are fortunate enough to live or work in the delivery area like my counterpart. - Laurel

Address: 32 Spring Street (at Mulberry)

Website: http://www.firstpizza.com/

Payment: Cash

Take Out: Yes

Open Late: Sun-Thurs til 11pm, Fri-Sat til 12am

Delivery: Yes

Large Group Friendly: Yes, but it's busy

Bar/Happy Hour: Yes

Cubana Cafe

Cubana Cafe is a place I could hang out at and nosh from time to time. They have a nicely sized menu of Cuban fair, including sandwiches, soups, quesadillas, plates of chicken or beef with rice and beans, salads, and Cuban breakfast all day. They also offer batidos (traditional Cuban drink), Jarritos sodas, sangria, beer and mixed drinks.

The cafe is situated on the bottom level cozied up between a few shops in SoHo. The decor was colorful and the ceiling seemingly low. We waited around for a table for a bit and ordered a carafe of sangria while we waited ($15). It was tasty and the waitress brought us an extra glass since our's was "mostly fruit"- much appreciated. It evened out to over 2 glasses apiece for four people.

I had a pulled pork quesadilla with onions and jack cheese ($7), which equaled two smallish quesadillas and a little chick pea salad for garnish. The pork was tender and juicy and the combo of flavors was yummy. The service was pretty good and the ambiance was a little cramped but fun. The people next to us sure were having fun.. as in 'I hope the bartender cut them off already' fun.

Mark my words, I'll be trying this place again and you are invited to go with me. Especially during happy hour, when they're drinks and quesadillas are four buckeroos! -Laurel

In a word: yummy. So yummy in fact, I went back the next day for more yumminess.

I was starting to feel sick, so drinking was not a good idea - but otherwise this is just what I needed. When I showed up at the cafe a large carafe of sangria was waiting for me, complimented with the french toast with fresh mangoes I ordered equaled Deliciousness. As I sat there devouring a meal that is not meant for dessert, an older gentlemen in a nice suit was leaning over staring at my food. I turned, to which he commented 'is that french toast?' at my reply of 'yes.' came a 'for dinner?' my eyes must have reflected what almost came out of my mouth, which was, in essence, 'and how the hell is that your business?' because he quickly said, 'looks good,' and ran out the door.

The next day I had a more sensible meal there, consisting of chicken quesadillas and more sangria. This place is simply adorable and quite good, and I hear the bartender can make a mean Hottie Tottie. -Jennifer

Address: 110 Thompson St (b/t Prince and Spring)

Website: n/a (http://nymag.com/listings/restaurant/cubana-cafe/)

Payment: cash only

Take Out: yes, and catering

Open Late: 11 pm

Delivery: yes

Large Group Friendly: huge groups not recommended.. can fit a party of 4-6 if they're not too busy

Bar/Happy Hour: yes and yes- happy hour M-Th 5-7pm, $4 sangria, beer, mojitos, quesadillas and more.