After 100 years, this convivial Italian pizzeria still charms newcomers and longtime neighborhood regulars with the basics.

The Scene
Locals, some of them of Italian lineage, flock to this local institution to soak up the atmosphere. Some posters and photographs hanging on the windowless wooden walls date back to the restaurant's days as an all-male establishment, serving slices for five cents apiece. Local characters sip at a long bar, while diners take a seat in wooden booths. Smoke from the grill intermingles with amiable chatter, Frank Sinatra tunes and the aroma of authentic, homemade Italian marinara. Friendly waiters snag any opportunity for a good wisecrack.

The Food
Pizza comes in one size: Large (12 inches). A small amount of cheese and lots of wonderfully sweet, fresh-tasting marinara cover a crust of medium thickness. The list of toppings sticks strictly to the basics. Charred lamb chunks and large, juicy pork sausages are surprising additions to the otherwise exclusive pizza menu, but customers love them as sides or appetizers.