Al Di La

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While the wait is long, it's entirely worth it. They will even take you phone number and call you when your table is ready. The ambiance is great, perfect for a date and the food is fantastic. I second the ravioli recommendation.

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Best restaurant in Brooklyn. I have nothing bad to say...the food is incredible, the service is always great and the casual atmosphere is terrific. I've never waited more than a half hour, and that includes many weekend visits...

I've eaten at some of the "best" Italian places in the city...Babbo, Lupa, etc. etc. and this ranks up there with all the rest.

Lupa is my favorite Manhattan place and Al Di La my favorite Brooklyn place. Overall, I like Al Di La a little more though...it's a little less expensive for one...

I get the beet ravioli every single time I go.

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Yup, it's a destination spot, attracting patrons from all over the borough. Totally worth the >40 minutes wait. Plenty of bars within walking distance-just give them you cell # and go chill out. Reasonably priced, exceptional wine selection.

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They've barely changed their menu in five years. The tables are sandwiched together. The crowd is mostly not from the nabe. It's loud. Who wants to wait for a table for an hour or more?

When they were the only fine dining option on Fifth, I put up with the hassle. But now there are so many other options. Actually, I like the Italian food better at Osteria Aliseo on Vanderbilt, and the surroundings, service and wine list is much nicer too.

Absolutely one of the best restaurants out there, manhattan or brooklyn. The last few times we've gone, though, there has been an obvious drop in food quality compared with about 3 years ago. little things, like doughier pasta, sauces for main dishes that rely more on butter...most recently (2 weeks ago) i thought the beet ravioli and the malfatti were both just so-so. i guess it's hard to be fantastic when the menu doesn't really change for 8 years. they need an injection of new energy there.

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VERY overrated. The tables were set up quite close to each other. I felt like I was dining with the couple next to me. The service is lackluster: I ordered the special risotto of the day - very excited about the squid-ink. About half hour after ordering, I was told that they were out of the special. They offered me an alternative of asparagus risotto - which #1: is nothing to compare to calamari and black squid-ink, #2: my boyfriend and I had already eaten an asparagus appetizer. Both our main dishes were nothing better than boring.

I'll give the restaurant kudos for it's fish soup appetizer, which was phenomenal. But, in my opinion, Park Slopers are over-hyping this common, unsensational restaurant.

VERY overrated. The tables were set up quite close to each other. I felt like I was dining with the couple next to me. The service is lackluster: I ordered the special risotto of the day - very excited about the squid-ink. About half hour after ordering, I was told that they were out of the special. They offered me an alternative of asparagus risotto - which #1: is nothing to compare to calamari and black squid-ink, #2: my boyfriend and I had already eaten an asparagus appetizer. Both our main dishes were nothing better than boring.

I'll give the restaurant kudos for it's fish soup appetizer, which was phenomenal. But, in my opinion, Park Slopers are over-hyping this common, unsensational restaurant.

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It's not just Park Slopers, FortGfemme. It is rated in the 2008 Zagat Guide as the 3rd best Italian Restaurant in all 5 boroughs...

(A picture of the restaurant actually opened without the grates down would have been nice...)

Actually 11217: Zagat rates three Italian restaurants higher than Al Di La. Deservedly so. Roberto in the Bronx is far superior.
Also: Zagat's ratings are compiled by their editors as well as Zagat members. This leads to "falling prey to local pride and grading on a generous curve."
I'll give you this, 11217: all this done not explain the New York Times review. Which, by the way, was written over two years ago.

My husband and I love this place. The only downside is the wait and lack of reservations. We normally start our bottle of wine in the back at al di la vino and finish it with our meal. It's always a fun night out here.

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You are right...it's number 4...not too shabby....

Top Five Restaurants in New York City

1. Babbo, 110 Waverly Place, Manhattan
2. Il Mulino, 86 W. 3rd St., Manhattan
3. Roberto, 603 Crescent Ave., The Bronx
4. Al Di La, 248 Fifth Ave., Brooklyn
5. Scalini Fedeli, 165 Duane St., Manhattan

Too cramped and pretentios. If you can take a name and phone number and call someone, why can you not take a reservation to start with?

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Best restaurant in Brooklyn, although the no-reservations policy is just ridiculous.

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FINALLY!

One of the Best Restaurants in BK if not the whole city. I have eaten here many times. The wait does suck, but the Vine bar is great and you can eat there as well.

One of the best meals I have ever had there I was with my girlfriend and I ate at the wine bar and hung around long after we finished (and after closing) tasting wine with owner and bartender.

If you are not dieting the best way is to go through all three course as you would in Italy. The Anti-pastas are awesome, the Pasta is excellent and the Entrees stand up just as well. The menu changes seasonally, so it is nice to go back and see what is new. The Oso Buco is the best I have ever had.

If Al Di La was in Manhattan it would be twice as expensive. The price is bargain for the quality of food. I have only had a better Italian meal in Italy.

As for the tables being so "close" together that is very European. I understand Americans are very used to there personal space, but family style seating is very common through out Italy.

This is great restaurant with outstanding food and wonderful wine. There are not enough superlatives to describe this place. A great place to bring guests, dates or just for a great meal that will not break the bank.

Service varies but I have never had horrible service and I have had great service there.

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I've been here a few times, with some friends from the neighborhood. I had really high hopes, as this place is touted very highly by alot of people, Brownstoner's faithful included. Bruni was spot on with the Ravioli, as it was excellent. It reminded me alot of the pasta course I had while dining @ Momofuku Ko, which is a great compliment. I was very dissapointed with the rabbit. It wasn't anywhere close to the rabbit I had at Babbo (which wasn't that much more $$$, and is a relevant comparison as alot of people compare Al di La to Babbo)
I agree with the comments above regarding the service, wine list and ambiance lacking. It's a fantastic neighborhood spot, but not quite the best in Brooklyn (perhaps Italian cuisine)

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I do think they have excellent food, but I go there at most once a year because of the wait. I've never had horrible service either, but I've found they are less willing to call my cell phone when a table is ready. Last time I was there (maybe April or so) they told me I HAD to wait at the bar. This was even after I told them I live literally 250 yards away and offered to show my driver's license as proof.

The place has ceased to be a neighborhood institution and now caters to the yuppie set that dines by Zagat and travels the city looking for the "best" restaurants.

Shame.

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Just an honest question: Why do people use the Zagat's guide to judge the quality of a restaurant? Aren't the ratings based upon customer reviews? I'd much rather hear what Bruni, Platt or the Michelin Guide has to say.

Wow, I am shocked about how many people rate this place so highly. I have had four meals here over the past couple years and everytime I left feeling less than impressed. It is not bad, but it is certainly not the best in Brooklyn (or even the neighborhood for that matter), and definitely not worth waiting to get in to.

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The place has ceased to be a neighborhood institution and now caters to the yuppie set that dines by Zagat and travels the city looking for the "best" restaurants.

*
Interesting...I was just there two Fridays ago...waited about 15 minutes for a table and thought that the entire place looked filled with neighborhood locals. They took my mobile, we went and had a drink and they called.

Maybe they just don't like you Polemicist?

Overall, super yum. I prefer to sit in the bar area, where I think its both cozier and the service is actually much better.

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I agree that it's overrated and not worth the wait...won't go into specifics on the meal but I can tell you that both the gnocchi and pork did not nearly live up to expectations! It was a birthday dinner, not memorable food or service (left unattended for too long), whereas an anniversary dinner at convivium osteria was deliciously celebrated with nice touches from the staff.

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Seems Al Di La has the opposite problem that Sarah Palin did...too high expectations.

Anyone who can eat here and not think it's delicious, simply doesn't like Italian food. Having grown up with a grandmother from Italy and many trips to the mother country, I can tell you that you'll have a difficult time finding more authentic Italian food outside Italy...

I'd LOVE to know where you think the Italian food is better in Brooklyn...La Villa??

This place is phenomenal, mostly because of the food, not the service. If you look at the bad reviews dragging down the average ratings, they pretty clearly involve singular bad experiences, which can happen at any restaurant. E.g. FortGFemme, who describes human error by the server. That will ruin your perception of any meal. Generally though, unless something extraordinary happens, this place is great. I agree with the high praise for the braised rabbit and beet ravioli, which are my favorite items on the menu.

Also, not to quibble, but it's hard to say someplace like Roberto is "far superior." It's *totally* different, in terms of menu, atmosphere, everything. It's like when I took somone to Tuscany Grill in Bay Ridge (one of the other great Italian spots in Brooklyn, btw) - they complained, because they were expecting "Italian" food (i.e. veal parm and chicken marsala and all the other crap you get at all the crappy restaurants in Little Italy).

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In terms of cuisine, Scottadito Osteria Toscana is at least as good, if not nearly as celebrated.

11217:

I'm dubious regarding your personal anecdote. There is no way you got a table in 15 minutes on a Friday unless you got there at 4:30 and started the line or arrived well into the late evening.

Given that, I'm guessing your entire post is just a pathetic attempt a troll.

I'm 6'4" Polemicist. And I tend to dress up when I go out. I get a lot of undue attention because of it. Always have. Don't need to believe me, but it's true.

**insert comment about frumpy park slope dressers**

Sdrubbins: I was comparing the restaurants on the "Best Italian" Zagat survey, as 11217 had brought it up in an earlier post. The "human error by the server" was a big blunder that would not hack it when compared to the other restaurants at the top of this list.

By the way, I prefer Di Fara, Babbo, and Roberto to the beloved Al Di La. Not a fan of Lupa. Never been to La Villa. Looks as though it belongs in a strip mall.

You're right, I don't believe you - especially given your Italian ancestry. I'm 6'2", in excellent shape, and dress better than most. I've even modeled before. I'm really not sure what your point is, but I'm pretty confident in my physical appearance.

So, you fail at trolling me once again.

My mother's side is Italian and my dad's is German. You don't believe I'm 6'4" ? Absurd.

I've done some modeling in my day also. Calvin Klein, J. Lindeberg, Diesel and Banana Republic to name a few...

I don't know why you think I'd lie about getting a table easily at Al Di La.

I was named "best dressed" in high school....doesnt that count for anything?

BTW, you sound really handsome, Polemicist. You like men or ladies?

He likes the pole and the troll.

Good one, Snarkslope. Strangers with Candy reference??

11217

The only thing that is absurd is your contention that having a looking and dressing like a model will get you into Al Di La like it is some club on the west side.

You were probably kidding about that, and I was kidding about not believing you. I really can't possibly know. We're probably of comparable attractiveness, based on what you've said.

For the record, I'm straight. And yes, being best dressed counts for something.

by the way 11217, have a splendid weekend. Time to hit the road.

Have a good one Pole.

Let's call a truce. I hate this animosity we have for one another. It's exhausting...

See ya around the 'hood this weekend...

I wear French cuffs with my suits. Will that get me a table?

place is pretty great. many good places don't take reservations. i always just give them my name and number and grab a drink elsewhere. you just have to go into it with that mindset.

not sure if it's gone downhill. that is possible, but damn the ravioli is terrific.

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You can get equally wonderful, and beautifully prepared authentically Italian meals at Oesteria Aliseo on Vanderbilt. It's got terrific, romantic ambience, and charming, attentive owners (an Italian photographer-turned-restauranteur, and his American wife).

I never have problems getting a table here and I am only 5'4".

only been once, but the food was excellent. best italian in park slope for sure, and the prices arent even that bad.

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Curiously, FortGfemme's only posts to brownstoner have been about Al Di La and General Greene, to which she gave a rave.

Even to the bacon, even though she doesn't eat meat.

Sound fishy if you ask me...

"Strangers with Candy reference?"

Yes indeedy. Hope you're having an excellent weekend.

Park Slope, and perhaps Brooklyn's, finest.
Unique: you won't get food like it elsewhere.
Consistent: Anna's cooking is as good now as it was when she opened.
Wine list: fairly priced, small-vineyard, wide variety of prices, representing every wine-growing regions of Italy.
The only thing missing is the salt-baked fish Anna did for a few years early on.

Why wait an hour for a table in the restaurant? Find a seat at the wine bar. Same menu.

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I understand we all have our own preferences and so no one and everyone is right. What really burns my ass, however, is that there is a far superior place, if somewhat inconsistent, just across the street. Yes, I'm talking about Moutarde. And most of the time it won't have half the people in it that this pseudo Italian joint does.

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Mehtarde.

Moutarde's is great. Not sure if it is the best, but certainly a favorite. Let's not hype that one though, before it gets ruined. Never been to Al Di LA because of the lines so I can't rate it.

@heck_of_a_job_brownie... I hope you didn't mean it the way it reads, becuase you don't sound conflicted at all. I think your comment, in your particular choice of words and phrases, could be framed as attempted 'character assassination'... and yes, completely over the top.

I'm not going to bash Moutarde because its not a bad place - been there several times. Bearing that in mind, Al Di La is packed at the expense of a decent restaurant across the road for a reason. That gives me pause for thought. Consistency like that cannot be faked and stands up to the lame and rude scrutiny you provide and the perception that it is just a 'hype'...

But what really made me sign-up, just so I could respond, was this: I think calling it 'pseudo' is nothing but an insult and you know it. Normally when I make a claim I try to back it up. But thats just me. 'Pseudo Italian' doesn't garner the praise, local and otherwise, that Al Di La has accumulated over the years. Shame on you.

The one upside to your comment is I'll never have to worry about being seated next to your table. Ah, its the little things in life!

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