Grimaldi's Pizzeria

This is one of those infamous places in the New York history books that will never disappear in our life-time. The pizza they serve is of a tradition called brick-oven baked and it is like no other. There is a resurgence of this baking process and a number of place that serve this type in and around the 5 boroughs. I have been to most of them.

Grimaldi's is housed in a tiny building just under the Brooklyn Bridge on the Brooklyn side. There is often a line outside, even in inclimate weather. Some are locals and alot are tourists. I often have to give directions to those asking. I am not a fan of Grimaldi's. I work in DUMBO during the day and many times the office will order their pizza. I have not flipped for it like others do. Main reason: the sauce. Why people think that you can open up a can of tomatoes, slop on dough, sprinkle some garlic powder, oregano, cheese and whatever else, bake it in a brick oven and think it will be great is beyond me. The sauce that is cooked and stirred for hours on the stove is the only way it should be. Now - they may argue they do that but I beg to differ, then they should cook it longer.

Grimaldi's boasts that their brick oven is coal-fired - only adding to the smoking flavor of the crust. This does not cover up the lack of flavor in their sauce and adds pollution as far as I am concerned. Want good pizza - brick oven and all that - go to Arturo's on Houston in the City. Excellent!

Kid Friendly - Of course - it's pizza
No Credit Cards - cash only

718.858.4300
19 Old Fulton St.
under the Brooklyn Bridge

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El Rincon Familiar

Spectacular!  What a great surprise this was.  The guacamole had plenty of cilantro and seasoning, it was so fresh.  When we arrived the place was smoking and packed.  Literally smoking - from the fajitas.  I had to order them.  I chose the chicken which was tender and the peppers and onions were crunchy.  The spices they chose were superb.  We also had the enchiladas in red sauce, cheese and chicken and again, even the fillings had extra love in the seasoning.  By all means order the salsa verde, truly delicious and fresh.  Their chips are homemade as are all their sauces and salsas.  

It is very small and the phone kept ringing off the wall.  Don't let that deter you or you will be missing out on something special.  BTW - the phone order we overheard was for 18 fish tacos!  I know what I am ordering next time.

No outdoor seating

Kid friendly - yes

open till 11pm

All Major Credit Cards & Delivery too

651 5th Ave, Brooklyn 11215
(Btwn 18th & 19th St)
(718) 965-4881

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Red Hot II

New looking place, new staff and very cheap. Fresh food, very nice service and especially nice to my children. The egg roll was crispy not greasy. The ribs were sweet and spicy with plenty of meat. I LOVED the fried dumplings (and they give plenty) - could make a meal out of it! The food choices are typical of American Chinese fare, but the do make special orders for you without a problem.

The soup I had was wonton and it was not too salty as it sometimes can be. The eggdrop was creamy and filled with chicken. Comforting.

I chose to have chicken fried rice, there I thought it was bland, lacked any real flavor. Also ordered Sesame Chicken which I thought the seame sauce was superb and crunchy with seames. The chicken wasn't all white meat (which I like) so you will need to order that spefically. I love Chinese Broccoli with Dried Bean Curd - spicy and here they perfected it.

No outdoor cafe
All credit cards accepted
Kid Friendly - Absolutely (ask for Christine)

349 7th Ave,
(At 10th St)
Brooklyn 11215
(718) 369-2577

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Wantana - Siam Restaurant

I used to have a favorite place in the city called Kin Kaow on Spring Street. Unfortunately hit buy the economic downturn - it is gone...but I have found a really good substitute.

Som Tum is one of those dishes that I feel is a good indicator of the freshness of the food. At Wantana this dish is crunchy, fresh, spicy and peanutty. It has a very distinct dressing and at times can tilt toward the nam pla (fishy) side but here they have perfected it. Their beef salad was also very fresh and spice filled.

We first ordered the traditional, Pad Thai, Chicken Cashew Nut and Chicken Massaman Curry,. Pad Thai was chewy and nutty. Chicken Cashew was filled with fresh veggies and the Massaman was comfort food to the fullest. I have gone back and since ordered the Fried rice, it was a delightful mix of spices. Gang-Keow-Wan (green curry) with chicken and beef - it was VERY spicy (just how I like it) and was filled with meat. The sticky rice was very good but I was a bit disappointed that they didn't have coconut rice.

No outdoors

Kid friendly - yes

11AM - 11PM

420 7th Ave, Brooklyn 11218
(Btwn 13th & 14th St)
(718) 832-1611
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Amin

I am sorry to say that tis is not the best I have had and I have real reason to go back there. The papadum was soggy? First - how is that possible? The curry I have had in in all different dishes was watery and had that soapy flavor that often happens when I make it myself (don't judge me).

I would write more about how awful it is but honestly it's not worth my time. There are far better places to enjoy in Brooklyn.

92 7th Ave, Brooklyn 11215
(At Union St)
(718) 638-6033

Miso Restaurant

They are not very big on quality service but their food is quite lovely. Their edamame is always crunchy and salty. The beef negimaki was spectacular, maybe the best I have had. Their cold dishes really are full of flavor no matter what one orders. I have tried the Udon soups and although the noodles were exceptionally mushy the veggies and broth was comforting and delicious. They have a full sushi bar which is high quality. The fish is definitely fresh here. Plus their tempura is crunchy not at all soggy.

Very few tables for seating and loud when crowded - which is often.

Kid Friendly - not really
No outdoor seating, you're lucky if you get one inside.

Major credit cards accepted

38 Main St & Front St.
Brooklyn 11201
718.858.8388

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al Di La Trattoria

Honestly, I was not that impressed. I am so the minority on this view. We went to the front restaurant and requested a table for two. "One and half hour wait" we were told. Not bad from what I heard about the place. We were instructed to go to the back restaurant to enjoy some wine. It was lovely back there and we did exactly that, enjoyed some wine. About an hour into it we were told that a table was opening in the back and we were welcome to take it. We did, reluctantly, (I really wanted to know what all the hoop-la was about in the front)

The wine we ordered by he glass was very oaky and had lots of tanins. But I then ordered a lovely bottle of D'oro and was surprised how easily the bottle went down. I had saltin-bocca that was dry, flat flavored and tough. My husband had the pork shank that was obscenely huge for one person and should have been presented for two people.

Desserts were absolutely incredible- for the other side of the coin.  Ricotta fritters - crazy good!

I will have to go back, maybe it was a bad evening.

Kid friendly - not really - older kids preferred.

Outdoor seating - none

Takes all major credit cards

Expensive

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