Adam Kuban: Kublog

The ‘Matthew’ on white bread (Sullivan Street Bakery’s ‘stirato’ bread).

There are so many great sandwiches in New York City that I want to eat my way through, and yet I find myself at Alidoro again and again.

But there’s a reason this longtime NYC favorite calls to me. Owner and sandwich virtuoso Walter Momente slices impeccable ingredients to order onto each sandwich, and each one is so carefully balanced in terms of flavor and proportions that you almost can’t go wrong ordering any of the 40 on the menu (each one is named).

The Matthew ($11.25) is a crowd favorite, to judge by online reviews and observations made while waiting in line (which is often out the door of this tiny shop around lunchtime). Paper-thin slices of prosciutto join pencil-thick slices of mozzarella along with a fistful of peppery arugula on the bread of your choice. Just enough oil-and-vinegar dressing lends a spicy bite and additional moistness to the assemblage.

It’s enough to fill you up without leaving you feeling bloated—the right amount of sandwich to prompt contemplation of which name you’ll call out next visit.

Alidoro
105 Sullivan Street, New York NY 10012 (map)
212-334-5179; alidoronyc.com