Grimaldi's Pizza is located right off the water, near a cute pier with views of the East River, lower Manhattan, and the Brooklyn Bridge. To get there, you can walk the Brooklyn Bridge, take the A train to High Street, the F train to York Street, or the water taxi to the Fulton Landing stop. When getting off the A train, walk down Cadman Plaza toward the water until you see Grimaldi's big green awning on the right side of Old Fulton Street. From the F train, walk down to the water until Front Street, take a left and walk until you get to Old Fulton Street, take a right, and you'll immediately see the restaurant. From the pier, walk inland half a block.
The restaurant looks like a typical Italian-American pizzeria. The tables are small and mashed together to get in as many customers as possible. The tables are covered with red and white checkered tablecloths, and the pizza-throwers take up the back wall along with the pizza ovens. The sidewalls are wood-paneled and are topped with photos of famous people who frequent the place, as well as pictures of their favorite crooners from Italy.
Sodas come in 16-ounce bottles, and the pizza covers most of the table. The waiters are polite, but definitely no-nonsense. As for the pizza, you'll find the crust is thin and crispy, yet chewy (much like that of other old pizzerias in Manhattan). The sauce is incredibly fresh and tastes of sweetly ripened tomatoes. On top of the sauce are slices of fresh baby mozzarella that melt much nicer than the usual cheap mozzarella you'd find at typical pizzerias. Toppings are $2 and are the same price on half a pie as on a whole one. They include pepperoni, sausage, mushrooms, onions, garlic, anchovies, capers, etc. I've tried the calzone once, and although I loved it, crispy crust enveloping a mountain of ricotta and spinach, I would still recommend going for the pizza if you're only going there once. Desserts include the traditional cannoli; however, I tend to stroll over to the pier after a meal here and go to the Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory.
Because the pizza is one of the best in the area, there is often a long line. Try to come in the winter and during off hours. Coming Sunday before it opens is a guaranteed way to get seated. If not, be prepared to stand outside until it's your turn. If you're okay with take-out, order and take the pizza to the pier across the street and eat it outdoors. In the summer, this is what a lot of people tend to do. Also note that this restaurant is CASH ONLY and that strollers are NOT allowed indoors due to lack of space.