Italian Restaurants

sleighb76

I'm new to the neighborhood, and can't seem to find a good Italian restaurant close by. I would prefer one that delivers, but beggars can't be choosers. Please Help!!!!

ana.log

Do you mean a nice sit-down italian place, or just a good place to get take-out things like subs, pizza, etc.? For the latter, I recommend Arturo's in Park Slope on 7th ave. They usually deliver to PH; if you live on the other side of Washington (like I do), they sometimes refuse if it's late at night. There's also a place on 6th and Bergen (Michael's, I think) which is ok.

anonymous

The most bizzare Italiano Mafioso restaurant is Two Tom's on 3rd Avenue right off Union (Green 70's awning).
They're listed, but call before you go because they have wierd times.
They also have (If I can remember) three meals (That's it). Don't ask.
If the food is not to your liking you should @ least be entertained by the characters that run the place. It's right out of a Goodfellas scene

anonymous

Once again I apologize for not leaving my name for the above reply,
Anonymous Guest

anonymous

the best italian restaurant in the city is a 15 min walk to 5th ave.
al di la...but don't go on the weekend you'll be waiting 2 hours for a table in the wine bar and probably get too sloshed to put your meatballs on your fork.

11238

I haven't been lucky enough to go to Two Toms. My husband and I tried to go once. We walked in (it was 7pm on a Saturday night). The place was empty except for 2 tables of 2. We asked for a table for two and then told us that they didnt have a table for us.

It was a really weird experience. The Maitre'd looked right out of Good Fellas and gave us this weird look. The ambiance there was horrible too but I heard the food was amazing. We might try again some day.

As far as Al Di La goes, don't expect to order Penne a la Vodka or Veal Parm. They have Italian but not the typical. I think they have a website. You should check it out before you go. The best Italian Italian is either Marco Polo in Cobble Hill or Red Rose on Smith Street or if you REALLY want to venture, L&B Spumoni Gardens near Bensonhurst.

carnivore

Anonymous wrote: the best italian restaurant in the city is a 15 min walk to 5th ave.
al di la...but don't go on the weekend you'll be waiting 2 hours for a table in the wine bar and probably get too sloshed to put your meatballs on your fork.

I'm not sure that I agree with "best in the city", but it is a very good restaurant. Plus, the community table thing is fun.

anonymous

A few suggestions (I love Italian food):

The quirkiest and, in my opinion, one of the best sit-down Italian paces in the area is Locanda Vini e Olii 129 Gates Ave at Cambridge Place in Clinton Hill. Here's their web site: www.locandany.com

PH resident Albano Ballerini's Amorina (the pizza place on Vanderbil b/w Park & Prospect) is nice, though not "traditional" Italian. Though I prefer Franny's pizza, I enjoy the vibe at Amorina more.

Ballerini also owns Aliseo Osteria del Borgo, sort-of accross the street from Amorina. It's closed for renovation, and I've never been, but several good friends of mine swear by it.

carnivore

mr underhill wrote: Ballerini also owns Aliseo Osteria del Borgo, sort-of accross the street from Amorina. It's closed for renovation, and I've never been, but several good friends of mine swear by it.

Sorry to be repeatedly critical, but I was underwhelmed by Aliseo OdB, although the bread was delicious. I really wanted to like it- the ambience is really nice, but I had a horribly overcooked octopus dish there. Plus the octupus tasted like it was none too fresh.

I really enjoyed Convivium Osteria (68 5th Ave bet Bergen St & St. Marks Pl.). I've only been once, and it's a little pricey, but I had a truly excellent meal there (the seafood tapas for two being a highlight). I liked the tables downstairs in the wine cellar better than the upstairs part of the restaurant, which seemed kind of noisy as I was walking through. Has anyone else tried this place?

11238

Carnivore wrote "Sorry to be repeatedly critical, but I was underwhelmed by Aliseo OdB, although the bread was delicious. I really wanted to like it- the ambience is really nice, but I had a horribly overcooked octopus dish there. Plus the octupus tasted like it was none too fresh."

I COMPLETELY AGREE!!!!! I went when it first opened though so it might have gotten better. That is another place that is Italian but not the "typical" Italian. My grandparents are first generation Italian and I still can't figure out the difference between Northern and Southern. I know that one region is all red sauce, the other, all cream sauce. :?

sleighb76

Thanks for the quick responses. Any pizza suggestions too? I'm sick of going to Coney Island for Totonnos.

daveb

Yeah...mediocre, but the people are nice and there was nothing there that was bad, so I ended up being glad it was around and I'd go back. Though I've only been to their new place across the street once, I liked the food there better.

Al Di La has my vote for favorite Italian within walkable distance from where I live. They got some serious bacala and their tagliatelle is one of my favorites anywhere. Not really that cheap though.

ana.log

Arturo's is essentially a pizza place. If you want more upscale pizza, there's Franny's on Flatbush below Prospect and Amorina on Vanderbilt and Prospect.

Convivium Osteria, Carnivore! I went there last year on my birthday and it was amazing. I almost forgot about it.

daveb

sleighb76 wrote: Thanks for the quick responses. Any pizza suggestions too? I'm sick of going to Coney Island for Totonnos.

Shit, if you're willing to go all the way to Coney, then go to Grimaldis next to D.U.M.B.O. it's not as far and just as famous. Personally I like Grimaldis better, but Totonnos is in no way slacking.

carnivore

daveb wrote: [quote=sleighb76]Thanks for the quick responses. Any pizza suggestions too? I'm sick of going to Coney Island for Totonnos.

Shit, if you're willing to go all the way to Coney, then go to Grimaldis next to D.U.M.B.O. it's not as far and just as famous. Personally I like Grimaldis better, but Totonnos is in no way slacking.

Or take the Q to Ave J for Di Fara.

isa

Carnivore wrote:
Or take the Q to Ave J for Di Fara.

YES! I was just gonna' say that and you beat me to it once again.

Would I look like a total heathen for saying that I like Tutta Pasta? Fine, I'm a heathen.

carnivore

Isa wrote: [quote=Carnivore]
Or take the Q to Ave J for Di Fara.

YES! I was just gonna' say that and you beat me to it once again.

I grew up just a few blocks from there. There's actually lots of good pizza in that neighborhood. I also like Napoli on Nostrand on the long block between Ave I and Campus Rd (on the Ave I side of the tracks). Not in the same league as Di Fara though.

horseycraze

I'd like to give a shout-out for Aunt Suzie's on 5th and Carroll in the Slope. The food is good and cheap, and the wine is afforadble with 4 or 5 bottles in the $13 range. I can't recommend ordering delivery from them however.

Oh, and as a former Carroll Gardens' resident, I can say that Frankie's 457 is the best Italian I've had in Brooklyn.

isa

Carnivore wrote:
I grew up just a few blocks from there.

Oh wow, I wonder if we went to the same Junior High.

carnivore

Isa wrote: [quote=Carnivore]
I grew up just a few blocks from there.

Oh wow, I wonder if we went to the same Junior High.
I was zoned for Andries Hudde, but actually went to Hunter. My brother went to Hudde.

isa

Ohhh, lucky, lots of my friends went to Hunter. All I know about Hudde is that some girl got her nipple bitten off there. I went to Shellbank where there was no nipple biting and then Laguardia for HS. That's why I don't have big hair today.

rogersma

Just for clarification...Italy is a diverse nation (hasn't even been a nation that long) and there are lots of cuisines. Aliseo served food from the Marche region on the Adriatic, at which it was superb. And Convivium is indeed great, but it's Portuguese/Spanish. Folks in search of the more traditional meatballs and red sauce may be disappointed at either place.

carnivore

rogersma wrote: Just for clarification...Italy is a diverse nation (hasn't even been a nation that long) and there are lots of cuisines. Aliseo served food from the Marche region on the Adriatic, at which it was superb. And Convivium is indeed great, but it's Portuguese/Spanish. Folks in search of the more traditional meatballs and red sauce may be disappointed at either place.

Isn't Convivium sort of "pan-Mediteranean"? They call themselves an Osteria, which isn't Portuguese or Spanish.

I wasn't aware of Aliseo's specialty, but I'm sure that overcooked and over-the-hill octopus would not be the pride of the Marche region. My criticism was not based on an expectation of Italian-American specialties in the southern Italian tradition.

anonymous

Hey horseycraze,
I can't agree with you about Aunt Suzie's.
You'd have to have the taste buds of a swine to agree with their flavors.
Too much ornamentation in that place and, probably, the worst food.
Anonymous Guest

carnivore

Anonymous wrote: Hey horseycraze,
I can't agree with you about Aunt Suzie's.
You'd have to have the taste buds of a swine to agree with their flavors.
Too much ornamentation in that place and, probably, the worst food.
Anonymous Guest

I'm glad someone else said it. I was afraid Andy was going to bring down the Chowhound H.A.N.A.P. axe on me if I bashed another place!

rogersma

You're right; Convivium is pretty imaginative though it leans heavily toward Spain and Portugal. And bad octopus at Aliseo is surprising--octopus is one of the big deals for the marchigiani and I would think owner Albano (who is a great character) wouldn't allow such.

dailyheights

Anonymous wrote: The most bizzare Italiano Mafioso restaurant is Two Tom's on 3rd Avenue right off Union (Green 70's awning).
They're listed, but call before you go because they have wierd times.
They also have (If I can remember) three meals (That's it). Don't ask.
If the food is not to your liking you should @ least be entertained by the characters that run the place. It's right out of a Goodfellas scene

I know that place! I've wondered what it's all about. Now #1 on my to-do list.

anonymous

i agree aunt suzie's isn't the best...but it sure hits the spot on a blizzardy night...heavy cheesy pasta...but that's about it.

anonymous

Although not as good as Franny's, La Villa on 5th Ave (across from Al di La) is a great neighborhood Italian place. They've got great brick-oven pizzas and very good homemade pastas. It's my favorite local restaurant, although the ambience leaves a bit to be desired - it's got a very Long Island feel. Great food, though.

anonymous

It's funny you should mention it (The LI appeal), but my former landlord frequents that joint (While checking out his properties in Brooklyn) and he's a LI cat
Anonymous Guest

dailyheights

daniel wrote: Although not as good as Franny's, La Villa on 5th Ave (across from Al di La) is a great neighborhood Italian place.

It reeks of "Chain Dining Experience" (do you know what I mean? particularly if you've ever been to Orlando), but the food is actually pretty good.