I feel bad that I have neglected to write about Al Di La. I’ve eaten there twice, and the two meals that I had there were some of the most satisfying that I can recently recall. The food is not typical Italian, it is not meatballs and spaghetti, or gourmet pizza, or even comparable to other high end trattorias in which I have dined. It is Venetian, in my humble opinion one of the most heartfelt and comforting cuisines in the western world. The flavors hold a certain depth that suggests tradition and patience. The natural “goût” is coaxed out of each ingredient, allowing each to shine, and at the same time melding in perfect harmony.
Eating at Al Di La reminds me of the wonderful, and entirely too short time that I spent in Venice during the winter of 2006. Using the wonderful French travel guide, Guide de Routard, we strayed immediately away from tourist traps and into the back allies of Venice. In particular, I remember a meal of simple spaghetti with the small clams they fish from the bay, cuttlefish, and the perfect amount of fresh tomato sauce. It also reminds me of the braised rabbit in a back alley restaurant, found without the help of a guidebook, but through the joys of wandering. There was also a bottle of wine, whose cork smelled of cocoa.
Al Di La’s menu changes on a frequent basis and always has interesting, variable specials. One of the most memorable dishes was a chickpea and grilled octopus salad, which was charred and devoured in seconds. The pastas are always unique and homemade, two excellent examples being the ravioli we red beets and ricotta, smothered in butter and poppy seeds, and the Swiss chard and ricotta gnocchi with brown butter and sage, which melts delicately in your mouth. I’ve also enjoyed the braised rabbit with olives and polenta, even if the rabbit was slightly dry.
So if you get a chance, go stand in line for dinner at Al Di La. Or to avoid the invariable line, go for lunch, at 10 pm, or check out the wine bar, which I think I will be sampling this weekend. Order a bottle of wine, check out the shabby-chic décor of various chandeliers, kitsch wallpaper and oversized art, and enjoy an acutely pleasurable dining experience.
Al Di La Trattoria
248 5th Ave.
718 636-8888
Reservations not available
Showing posts with label Brooklyn. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Brooklyn. Show all posts
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Monday, October 20, 2008
Blue Ribbon Brasserie
Ate the other night at Blue Ribbon Brasserie in Park Slope with Cliff, his sister Laura, and his parents, who were kind enough to treat us. Although Mr. H. was bummed about the future of the stock market and was on his Blackberry for much of the time, the food was still very fine indeed. Despites these uncertain times, the Brasserie did not seem to be hurting for business.
Blue Ribbon Brasserie is one of eight successful establishments owned by the Bromberg Brothers. Located directly next to its Sushi counterpart (reviewed below), Blue Ribbon, which opened in Brooklyn in 2001, maintains the high standard of quality that has come to be expected from the Brombergs.
The warm and bustling atmosphere with red walls, a large raw bar, banquettes and mirrors, is a pleasant place to enjoy some comfort food. Out waiter was very attentive and friendly, perhaps even a bit over-eager. We all drank wines by the glass, and my large pour of Tempranillo was pleasing to the palate.
To start, we shared four appetizers. Laura ordered the artichoke, which was classic and delicious with a lemon butter dip. The pirogues that I ordered were hearty and familiar, with some perfectly caramelized onions along side. I didn’t try the sardines, (I was a bit hung-over, but I usually love them), but they got rave reviews from the other diners. Lastly the chicken wings that Cliff ordered were fantastic and came with a little pot of fire to caramelize them on. At first we thought this was a gimmick, but once it got going, it actually put some tasty char on those wings!
For our main courses, Mr. H. and I ordered the duck confit, with an orange sauce and roasted potatoes. It was well cooked and I especially enjoyed the garlicky salad dressing that came on my little side of greens. However, the overall portion of duck was a bit small. Mrs. H. ordered the salmon with mashed potatoes, which she raved about. Laura had the fried chicken that was apparently tender and scrumptious, although she was too full to finish it off. Cliff was the most adventurous and ordered the pigeon (not squab, pigeon) and enjoyed his first encounter with this particular fowl. It was very rich in flavor, and I was proud of the boy who once lived continually on peanut butter sandwiches.
Even though we were all pretty “stuffed,” of course, we ordered dessert. We had one Chocolate Bruno, which is Blue Ribbon’s signature dish, and half portions of both the chocolate chip and Banana Walnut Bread Pudding. I loved the Banana Walnut Pudding because it reminded me of my favorite Baang desert, banana nut spring rolls. My dinner companions gobbled up the chocolate dishes, so we can safely assume they enjoyed them!
It was a very cheering dinner in these not so cheerful times, even if the bill was probably a bit steep. There is something on the menu for everyone, from the youngest to the eldest patron. Diverse, upscale comfort food for all, Blue Ribbon Brasserie in Park Slope is most definitely a winner.
Blue Ribbon Brasserie
278 5th Avenue (between 1st and Garfield)
Brooklyn, NY 11215
718-840-0408
Reservations are accepted for five or more.
Blue Ribbon Brasserie is one of eight successful establishments owned by the Bromberg Brothers. Located directly next to its Sushi counterpart (reviewed below), Blue Ribbon, which opened in Brooklyn in 2001, maintains the high standard of quality that has come to be expected from the Brombergs.
The warm and bustling atmosphere with red walls, a large raw bar, banquettes and mirrors, is a pleasant place to enjoy some comfort food. Out waiter was very attentive and friendly, perhaps even a bit over-eager. We all drank wines by the glass, and my large pour of Tempranillo was pleasing to the palate.
To start, we shared four appetizers. Laura ordered the artichoke, which was classic and delicious with a lemon butter dip. The pirogues that I ordered were hearty and familiar, with some perfectly caramelized onions along side. I didn’t try the sardines, (I was a bit hung-over, but I usually love them), but they got rave reviews from the other diners. Lastly the chicken wings that Cliff ordered were fantastic and came with a little pot of fire to caramelize them on. At first we thought this was a gimmick, but once it got going, it actually put some tasty char on those wings!
For our main courses, Mr. H. and I ordered the duck confit, with an orange sauce and roasted potatoes. It was well cooked and I especially enjoyed the garlicky salad dressing that came on my little side of greens. However, the overall portion of duck was a bit small. Mrs. H. ordered the salmon with mashed potatoes, which she raved about. Laura had the fried chicken that was apparently tender and scrumptious, although she was too full to finish it off. Cliff was the most adventurous and ordered the pigeon (not squab, pigeon) and enjoyed his first encounter with this particular fowl. It was very rich in flavor, and I was proud of the boy who once lived continually on peanut butter sandwiches.
Even though we were all pretty “stuffed,” of course, we ordered dessert. We had one Chocolate Bruno, which is Blue Ribbon’s signature dish, and half portions of both the chocolate chip and Banana Walnut Bread Pudding. I loved the Banana Walnut Pudding because it reminded me of my favorite Baang desert, banana nut spring rolls. My dinner companions gobbled up the chocolate dishes, so we can safely assume they enjoyed them!
It was a very cheering dinner in these not so cheerful times, even if the bill was probably a bit steep. There is something on the menu for everyone, from the youngest to the eldest patron. Diverse, upscale comfort food for all, Blue Ribbon Brasserie in Park Slope is most definitely a winner.
Blue Ribbon Brasserie
278 5th Avenue (between 1st and Garfield)
Brooklyn, NY 11215
718-840-0408
Reservations are accepted for five or more.
Monday, June 2, 2008
Californa-Style Mexican in Brooklyn
Like California style burritos and tasty tacos? Check out Rachel’s Taqueria and La Taqueria in Park Slope, Brooklyn. La Taqueria is a small, mostly take-out type joint. With bright murals on the walls, a bar at the back and quick service, it’s a fun place to grab a quick Mexican bite. Rachel’s Taqueria on 5th Ave was recently converted to more of a sit-down restaurant. The service is good as are the Margaritas. Rachel’s has a nice back-yard seating area, perfect for sunny days and warm nights. Both places have the same menu with all your classic burrito and taco options. The ingredients are fresh and tasty and the prices reasonable. Particularly good is the mole chicken and the shrimp tacos.
La Taqueria – 74th Ave, Brooklyn – 718-398-4300
Rachel’s Taqueria – 408 5th Ave, Brooklyn
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