A pre-lunch treat from a Van Leeuwen ice cream truck: a big scoop of Giandujia ice cream, a hazelnut chocolate combo. Really nutty with bits of hazelnut and nicely incorporated chocolate flavor. Creamy and not too sweet.
After a twenty minute walk in the blazing sun we finally arrived at a maze of a restaurant that is Lombardi's. We were anticipating a long wait but were seated surprisingly quickly(although many weren't so lucky). After what seemed like an eternity of sipping our waters and staring at the kaleidoscopic checkered tablecloth, two lovely margarita pies were placed before us.
Crispy disks of pepperoni and bits of mild pancetta:
Garlicky, sweet, spicy sausage bits with charred spinach.
After lunch we headed across the street to Rice to Riches, a brightly-lit rice pudding bar decked out with witty signs and funky decor. The panna cotta pudding (left) was rich and pleasantly sweet while the wild berry was tart and brought back the memories of after-school snacks of Trix berry yogurt. We also ordered a bowl of Marscapone and Cherries (not pictured below to avoid would-be lost appetites but we promise it was delicious). This was my first encounter with rice pudding and while I would soon realize that I detest the texture of it, the flavor did compensate quite a bit.
And with all the artisan ice cream, mouth-watering pizza, and creamy, filling rice pudding sitting in our stomachs we headed down Broadway for school essentials. The days we have left here in the city are dwindling down, we best eat up.
Lombardi's 32 Spring
Rice to Riches 37 Spring St (btwn. Mott and Mulberry)
