Brooklyn Restaurant

Epicurean Exploits - Food and Recipes
1

Will be heading to Brooklyn in early November for one night. Planning to hit DiFara for lunch, but looking for somewhere relatively convenient(Walk, subway or short cab ride) to the Barclay Center to grab a late Friday dinner-probably sitting at 9:30 or 10. Inexpensive to moderately priced would be ideal and BYOB would be a plus, but not a requirement. Open to just about all types of cuisine. TIA! [help.gif]

2

If you want good pizza, go to Lucali’s. Way better than DiFara’s IMO. But they are not open for lunch. And you can BYO.

3

Thanks for the rec, but DiFara it is this time. I have to try it myself and we are definitely having it for lunch.

4

Check out his website. I think he’s closed Monday/Tuesday. Dom also closes mid-day between 4:00 - 6:00. Doublecheck. You can also BYO. Remember, it’s all about the sicilian pizza.
If you’re 3 or more people, try calling ahead a day or 2 in advance. You’ll save time (if they pick up the phone).

Tip - When you walk out of Di Fara’s, make a left and head to Ostrowizky Bakery on the corner of east 12th street. They close early Friday, and are closed on Saturday. It’s my favorite bakery.

5

for dinner near the Barclay Center
I would go to either Al di la (http://www.aldilatrattoria.com/) or have some good ramen at Chuko (http://barchuko.com/#chuko-ramen)

both permit BYO.

6

Bring a change of clothes in case he burns one and you don’t want to smell like smoke all afternoon.

7

Not exactly around the corner and definitely a cab ride…but try Parish Hall.

8

I really like the Diner and Reynard. Both have solid wine lists.

9

We loved Al di la over the 3 times we went … last was 3 - 4 years ago. I never knew BYO was permitted. What’s the corkage fee?

10

He’s never burnt one during the times we’ve made it to DiFara. But we’ve always smelled of pizza each time after we’re done WAITING and eating.

11

$15.00 but it has been a while. Call to check.

12

Thanks all for the thoughts. Al Di La is now certainly on the radar. Any idea how long a wait there might be on a Friday around 10pm right after a game let’s out at the Barclay Center? Also still open to other suggestions, 10-20 minutes on the Subway is not a deal breaker.

13

If you’re willing to get on the Q train to Cortelyou Rd. you can go to Purple Yam, with excellent updated Filipino and Korean food and a nice, small, well-chosen wine list - e.g., 2010 Texier Cote du Rhone for $33. The chef/owner used to run Cendrillon in Manhattan before he was forced out by rent increases. If you go be sure to save room for dessert and order the Kalamansi meringue pie with guava sorbet. Personally I’d skip the chicken adobo (they make it a little more vinegary than I like - but if you’re a poulet au vinaigre fan you might disagree). I find the Bagoong fried rice addictive.

http://www.purpleyamnyc.com/

You can call about BYO, I haven’t asked yet what their policy is but the small wine list is well chosen and well priced.

14

We love Al di La.
Also consider The Farm on Adderley.
My daughter lives in Brooklyn and she always takes us to either of the above.
Both excellent. The Farm has some great cocktails.
And she goes to DiFaras — with Hammer!!!

She suggested: Gwynett Street and Aska. Aska is open until 2am. She says “so many new places in Brooklyn, I can’t keep up.”

15

She has good taste!

Al di la has been on my list for a long time.