Sam's - Brooklyn

The portion sizes are generous and affordable, and the food is incredibly flavorful. My favorite is their pizza, but unfortunately, on the day we visited, they... read more The portion sizes are generous and affordable, and the food is incredibly flavorful. My favorite is their pizza, but unfortunately, on the day we visited, they were out due to issues with the dough machines. That didn’t put a damper on our meal, though! We ordered meatballs, ravioli, a side of meatballs, chicken parmesan, spaghetti with veal cutlet and escarole, and two bottles of wine, along with two pieces of cheesecake. We had plenty of food for four people, but I was quite hungry! We arrived at 6:30 on a Saturday and didn’t leave until 9:30. It reminded me of dining in Europe, where the servers don’t rush you, allowing you to enjoy your meal throughout the evening. It was wonderful to relax, enjoy the food, and catch up with friends. The chicken and veal were pounded very thin, and everyone thoroughly enjoyed their dishes. I particularly loved the meatballs—they were light and packed with flavor. The sauce was sweet and vibrant, and the pasta was cooked to perfection, al dente. The ravioli were substantial and delicious, and we really enjoyed the bottle of Chianti we selected. The cheesecake here is the real deal; it’s an authentic Italian ricotta cheesecake and is a must-try. All of this delicious food came to under $200, including tax and tip. They also provide complimentary bread for the table, and there’s plenty of it. The French fries (more like potato wedges) were also excellent and really hit the spot. Having moved from Brooklyn, this is the one place I truly miss. I'm so glad we had the chance to visit again! This is my favorite pizza place from Brooklyn, so I hope they have pizza next time we drop by. Regardless of what they serve, everything is absolutely delicious!

Louie is the owner, and he runs the show—just trust his word, that’s all you need to know. The pizza here is the best, and the cheesecake is out of this world (... read more Louie is the owner, and he runs the show—just trust his word, that’s all you need to know. The pizza here is the best, and the cheesecake is out of this world (you absolutely have to try it, it's to die for). Seriously, forget about it! (By the way, does this place look familiar? Check out The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.) I absolutely love this spot!

I visited from Washington, DC, and enjoyed a fantastic dinner here. We don't have many traditional Italian restaurants like this back home, so it was a real del... read more I visited from Washington, DC, and enjoyed a fantastic dinner here. We don't have many traditional Italian restaurants like this back home, so it was a real delight. The food was delicious and reasonably priced, and the service was laid-back yet friendly. It was refreshing to not feel rushed and to simply relax and savor the food and wine. Most of the other diners appeared to be regulars, which added to the authentic vibe. This place is definitely a gem!

Excellent Italian restaurant known for its fantastic red sauce. I loved the ravioli with tomato sauce and the veal with mushrooms. It's cash-only, but the servi... read more Excellent Italian restaurant known for its fantastic red sauce. I loved the ravioli with tomato sauce and the veal with mushrooms. It's cash-only, but the service is very friendly. This place even made an appearance in a Woody Allen film!

I had a wonderful dinner at Sam's! The pizza was delicious, and the owner was incredibly friendly, making us feel right at home. If we lived closer, we would de... read more I had a wonderful dinner at Sam's! The pizza was delicious, and the owner was incredibly friendly, making us feel right at home. If we lived closer, we would definitely be regulars!