Love it
Reviewed by dlevi
at September 7, 06:30 PM
One of my favorite restaurants! The sometimes traditional Veneto cuisine is consistently delicious. It's rare, indeed, that anything is short of superb. Meat eaters and vegetarians (though probably not vegans) will both eat very well. The wine list focuses on Italy, though it includes well-chosen selections from most other major wine-producing areas of the world. The wines are singularly well-chosen and priced fairly. Many are small production wines and/or rare varietals. They do not take reservations, which can be frustrating as it is a very popular place. Not recommended for groups of more than four unless you shoot for an off-hour or, maybe, Monday. The service is usually fine though never spectacular. We've been here more than some places where we're treated as regulars but we've never been greeted with any glimmer of recognition. But the food is great, so who cares.
Love it
Reviewed by ben
at September 11, 06:42 AM
My girlfriend and I came here on a spur of the moment decision after we walked all the way to Franny's only to find that it was closed. I had heard there were sometimes long waits to get a table but we were having an early dinner so seating wasn't much of a problem. Everything else about the meal was great as well, one of the best dining experiences I've had in the short time I've been living in Park Slope. Highly recommended.
Love it
Reviewed by baldur
at September 11, 09:37 AM
For me and my wife going there had a long buildup, because we had decided to go there once and it was closed (it's closed on tuesdays). But despite the long buildup the food was absolutelly fabulous and the only thing I wasn't happy with was how our waiter was kind of absent minded and really wasn't all that friendly but I will ad that it's always better to be less friendly than overly friendly as some waiters tend to get. Ben was right about the hard to get a table but since I am an early eater that's usually not an issue for me.
Like it
Reviewed by kagome
at September 17, 08:00 PM
The food at al di la is excellent, but we never go there because we love Blue Ribbon so much and have kind of a small expensive restaurant budget. A couple years ago I had beef cheeks there which were really incredible.
Love it
Reviewed by christoro
at September 29, 02:56 PM
BTW - Although they don't take reservations, when you put your name in, I heard that you can give them your cell phone number and they will call you when your table is ready. This way you could go to a near by bar or home if you live in the hood and get a cheap drink elsewhere prior to feasting here.
Love it
Reviewed by nicalou
at January 4, 02:17 PM
Yum! I've never had a bad meal here, and I've been going for five years. I don't go more than every few months, though, because the wait can be long and I don't love sitting at a long table with other people. But the food is excellent. Great homemade ravioli and gnocchi. Nice wine menu. The pear cake with bittersweet chocolate is served warm, with the chocolate chunks slightly melty--yum. But the winning dessert is the selection of homemade ice creams and sorbets. Unusual flavors, and always delicious. Yay!
It's ok
Reviewed by paul c
at February 13, 06:20 AM
This place should have it's own religion, for all the love it gets! After 4 dinners there, I'd agree that the food is really good (including the best squid ink risotto I've ever had), however, it falls short in other ways. Not once would I have described the service as friendly, or knowledgable (try asking anyone but the owner Emiliagno about any wine on the list). And this communal table thing is so over.
Love it
Reviewed by lee
at April 5, 01:00 PM
I've been to Al Di La twice. It always looks crowded, but--and these might have been flukes-- I've been seated pretty much right away both times. Last time I went I had a citrus salad-- I believe it was a special-- that rocked my socks! It included blood oranges, grapefruit and one other type of orange, with mint in a vinaigrette. It was sooo delicious; I've been obsessed with citrus ever since. I highly recommend it to any citrus lovers if they have it again. I've also had good experiences with their pasta dishes. You're seated somewhat on top of the strangers sitting next to you in Al Di La, but overall a great experience.
Like it
Reviewed by daveb
at April 6, 10:12 AM
...Assuming I can get a reservation. Their baccala and grilled polenta is excellant.
