YUM! Definitely a splurge, went with family to catch up and they introduced us to this place, which they've been going to for 20 years now. It's a very homey, very cozy place and is family run, and it does have that family dining room vibe. The plates are all mismatched and beautiful, the service is so welcoming and friendly, and the food is DELICIOUS! I had the house special duck which was so tender and juicy, perfectly medium rare and had this amazing sauce. Paired well with the juicy cherries and potatoes included in the dish. My mom had the short rib bolognese I believe, very delicious and very hearty and full of meat! We shared the spring salad which was very delicious and had good snow peas, and the grilled chards were AMAZING and paired well with the bolognese! Highly recommend :) read more

We had a 5:00 p.m. reservation and were the only diners in the restaurant, I would say for about 45 minutes. The ambiance is definitely charming and cozy, and the space has a lot of character. Unfortunately, the food didn't live up to the price point for us. The pasta was good, but not particularly memorable, especially considering how expensive the meal was. My husband ordered the hake, and it had a very strong fishy smell that made it difficult to enjoy. Overall, Al Di La has a lovely atmosphere and is a nice place to have a meal, but the food didn't justify the cost for us. While I'm glad we tried it, it's not somewhere we would return. read more

Super cozy italian spot! We came here on a weekday night and were able to get seated right away. I enjoyed the Tagliatelle al ragù. Service was good. read more

I was excited to try this neighborhood joint and really wanted to like it, but had such a disappointingly mediocre experience. We were able to be seated without a wait on a Tuesday night, but the seating was really tight - we were crammed in between two other dining parties at one shared table. The restaurant was loud, so my partner and I couldn't really have a conversation, and though our server was nice when we did talk to him, the service felt stalled. I think we spent about 80% of the time we were at the restaurant waiting for the food, and 20% of the time eating. As for the food: I always hold a bit of a grudge against Italian restaurants that charge ($3.50!) for bread and butter, though the bread came out warm and was tasty enough. My partner ordered the ragu ($26) and I ordered the spaghetti vongole ($27). The portion size of the ragu was really quite small for the price, although it tasted good (not great). The spaghetti vongole came with more pasta, but it was oversalted and tasted just OK. Overall, I'm a bit miffed that we spent over $70 on two average pastas and bread and butter, in a tight seating arrangement in a loud restaurant. Next time I'm feeling Italian, I'll probably opt for Scottadito nearby. read more

Al Di La Trattoria - spaghetti vongole - Italian Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

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One of the favorites in the neighborhood, I would say Al Di La perfectly fits the bill-- solid spot but not outstanding. Food is great, but some of the service/details take away from this being a ringer. The ambiance is very cozy and there were a mix of families and dates when I went with a friend on a weekday night. It was never completely full but definitely still busy, so I assume on a weekend you'd need a reservation. The tables are really close to each other, to the point that you have to move your table if you're sitting on the bench side and want to exit/enter. Additionally, they didn't offer a place to hang jackets/coats so it gets really cramped as people put their items on the bench as well. The service was ok, but there were a couple of things that could be improved. First, it took almost 20 minutes for us to be able to place our order, and this was after flagging down the waiter. Not sure if they were understaffed but it felt pretty slow and generally like we were not looked after. The other weird interaction was when I was ordering a glass of wine-- I was trying to decide between two and asked if I could taste them and decide. The person taking the order (not our main waiter) responded saying he could tell me about the wines. I found that odd, especially as their menu already has some lovely tasting notes for each of the glasses and so I pushed back, noting that I already read from the menu notes about the wine and I would like to taste it. I've been to plenty of restaurants and know this is normal, so it left a poor taste in my mouth that the server tried to avoid letting me try the wines. Now, for the good-- the food was overall pretty tasty. We tried: - Trippa stew: this was delicious. A lovely, thick stew with the trippa having a lovely texture (not too soft, not too chewy). - Radicchio salad: nice, bright salad. Solid appetizer - Malfatti: this is definitely on the mild side flavor wise-- my friend didn't like it as it didn't have much flavor (the gnocchi was basically ricotta and the brown butter sage was mild as well), but the gnocchi was soft. I thought it was good but wouldn't order it again. - Tortelli di zucca: we both liked this dish and I would order again! Interestingly enough, the sauce was also the brown butter sage but it doesn't say it on the menu. While I dinged the service/ambiance above, there was some redeeming moments. We ended up with leftovers and our waiter was really kind about boxing them all up in a really thoughtful manner-- he put the butter in, wrapped in paper, alongside our bread! He also said the kitchen wanted to check on whether we liked the trippa, as we had a lot left over-- this to me highlights how the kitchen really cares. read more

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The moment you step inside this restaurant it feels like you've been transported back in time. It feels classic and special. I took my sister here for her birthday. She liked her meal but didn't love it. The pasta was well cooked. The service was okay, I don't remember them being super friendly or welcoming it was just okay. This place is clearly a staple in the neighborhood, it's busy and bustling. This is random, but I really loved the dinnerware, it was all different, unique, antique looking pieces. This isn't my favorite Italian place in NYC but I'd recommend it if you're in the area. read more

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Ok so I've been trying to get into this Michilan star place for 27 years! It was impossible to get in. Finally one summer night the seas parted n they had a table for us. Yay yay yay. Merluzzo al forno is so good. Best fish preparation I ever had, comes hot n still bubbling hot. The bread is from Royal Crown bakery in Staten Island, apparently very famous, but very good rustic bread. Perfect to dip in the sauce. The spaghetti vongole is very good too. It was a very good meal. I can cross this off my list of must eats. I hope it won't be another 27 years that I'll get it. Love the huge chandelier, our server Max was very attentive, friendly n courteous read more

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Updating my review to recommend the squash tortelli, which was the universal favorite of the group (reminded me a lot of the malfatti actually but the sweetness from the squash really elevated it). I also really liked the ricotta cavatelli; it's a lighter sauce so by alternating bites with the tortelli, it helped cut through the richness. The tagliatelle al ragu was good but didn't stand out to me as much as the others. read more

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My family of 3 ate dinner here last night ( our 2nd time) and we were pleased but not overall blown away. The service is excellent and the tables are tight but manageable. We always are annoyed when Italian restaurants charge for bread and butter ( similar to when Mexican restaurants charge for chips and salsa) but we ordered that and the burrata, focaccia with ripe tomatoes and were satisfied we did. My son and I ordered the Taglietelle Ragu and enjoyed it. My wife loved the Faro salad and a glass of white wine. The main issue we have with the restaurant is for what they charge the portions are very small. I know you typically order a pasta and then an entree but still the pasta portions were small and at $26 a plate seemed pricey compared to other places in the neighborhood. We skipped dessert and while it looked delicious we passed. Don't get me wrong the quality of the food is excellent no doubt about it - it's just at $120 without tip you shouldn't be leaving hungry and having to go across the street for a slice or pizza! read more

Al Di La Trattoria - Warm farro salad - Italian Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

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Loved dining here on a weeknight. I was visiting from Richmond VA and had eaten through many of the recommended restaurants in cobble hill , park slope, and gawanus. I didn't want to get Italian food as I felt that Italian was pretty well done in Richmond so I spent most of my week eating unique things- from regional Indian, regional thai, plant based Japanese, dumplings, Guatemalan, etc... but I am glad I checked this out on my last night! It was located on a quiet side street with nice brownstones. Felt like New York from the movies. The cozy lower than street level restaurant was charming inside with dark walls, a marble bar, and low ceilings. I enjoyed a glass of wine recommended by the bar tender and had prompt dinner service. I felt like I was in a movie, living in NYC, amongst the locals, and got an excellent meal that was veggie forward to boot. I don't think the meal was extraordinary- we have similar Italian food in Richmond, dc, Charlottesville, etc... but the experience was worth it. The food was on the expensive side- even for Brooklyn standards I think. But worth a visit if you are in the area and want fresh Italian food. read more

I usually don't leave a review after just one visit--unless it's that good. The bad (because honesty matters): my martini was, unfortunately, the absolute worst. The good (and this far outweighs it): the food was delicious. I had the house salad and the Kale with Mushroom Polenta--O. M. G. Vegetarian (not vegan), and I seriously wanted to crawl into the dish and slather it all over myself. My companion ordered the meatball appetizer (yummy but skippable) and the house special pork loin in a fig & port wine reduction--absolutely luscious. Dessert: Pear & Chocolate Cake. Fair warning--I'm not a dessert person, but this could be the reason I'd need to be airlifted out of my apartment. Final verdict: come hungry, skip the martini, and save room for dessert. read more

What a beautiful Italian spot in Park Slope. We went on a Monday evening and the place was packed! The ambiance is very warm and cozy and small things from the decor to the plates make the place feel super special. The food is absolutely delicious. The calamari was one of the specials and stole the show! The spaghetti vongole also had a nice kick to it which brought the flavors together. The tortellini was good but not wow. For dessert, we got the panna cotta and it was a perfect ending to the meal, sweet but not too sweet. As for the service, I actually liked the fact that it wasn't rushed at all, which is a rarity in NYC. Wonderful experience, I'll be back for sure! read more

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Couples or parties of 2 get ready to cozy up to your fellow patrons. If you need to get up tables will have to be pulled forward to let you out. Larger groups definitely have more room and spacing, but nonetheless the experience will be intimately loud. We came for the highly reviewed Coniglio (braised rabbit) which did not disappoint, but the Spaghetti Neri is a must try. The octopus was perfectly cooked and enrobed in a peppery sauce whose "slow burn" made it hard to put my fork down or prevent my partner from eating out of my plate. Their oxtail and cuttlefish appetizer is an "interesting" experience. The texture was heavy on the creamy and soft with flavors that channeled childhood memories for me, but were in conflict with each other for my partner. Thankfully, the Primitivo Orion was sublime on the palate in all the ways. If you're in the mood for a light dessert that isn't heavy on the sweetness, their panna cotta with wine infused cherries and almond biscotti is the perfect end cap. This place gets packed, so make a reservation. Our 6:45 pm booking was the sweet spot where the turnover from earlier diners gave us a little space for hand holding across the table and a mini lull to shout my man a happy birthday. read more

Al Di La Trattoria - Braised Rabbit - Italian Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

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Had a dinner reservation for 630 on a Thursday. The space was very homey and had a relaxed vibe to it. I went with a friend who recommended this place so i tried the dishes she recommended and it did not disappoint!! For appetizer we had the seppia & oxtail, I haven't had anything like this before. I wish the polenta had a bit more salt, but with the oxtail it was good. For the main we both got the ragu - the duck and the veal/pork/beef. I personally think the latter was better and would get that next time!! For dessert we got the pear tart with chocolate. I didn't taste the pear as much because the chocolate overpowered it. The cream on the side was nice though. Like others have mentioned, after we are we were a bit rushed but it's understandable since people were waiting for tables! read more

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Ravioli was amazing!! The mushroom polenta was great -- they included a lot of mushrooms which I loved. We also got the artichoke special which was divine. Passionfruit sorbet was the best part. The dining room feels like it was plucked right out of 2008 in the best way. Service was great. Kitschy, cute, and well maintained. Love the mismatching vintage china! Will definitely be returning. read more

Al Di La Trattoria - Sorbet - Italian Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

Amazing and unexpectedly delicious meal! We had a comedy show in the area later so we made a 6:30 dinner reservation ahead of it. To be honest, we probably could have walked in because it was only 3 of us but having a reservation was a good idea. We started off with a bottle of sauv Blanc, one of the cheaper white wines on the menu but delicious nonetheless! The bread and butter service was copious for a couple bucks and definitely worth it with the fresh bread. For my main, I got the tagliatelle Al ragu and wow was it delicious! The meat was tender and the sauce was savory and the hint of sweet from the tomatoes and honestly the perfect blend! This was a delicious meal and not to mention our waitress was great. Overall, we can't recommend this place more. read more

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Absolutely fabulous took my wife here for her birthday. She was super happy with her meal. Service was excellent. The drinks were excellent. The food was excellent and flavorful. We will be back whenever we're here in Brooklyn, New York read more

Al Di La Trattoria - As you can see, she is very pleased with her meal. - Italian Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

We were running late, had to grab a Lyft from Union Square, phoned ahead and the very nice staff held our table for our arrival 30 min late. we were seated at a cozy 4 top in the window and were quickly given menus , told about the specials and got draft beers and child red wine. We ordered a fava bean salad, a homemade black spaghetti with Octopus in a spicy red sauce and a melt in your mouth grilled half chicken with very good whipped mashed potatoes. We also ordered garlic greens, polenta and sweet baby carrots in a yogurt dill sauce. Our server told us the grilled chicken will take some time and offered to bring some of the veggie sides first- good call. The food was very well prepared with creative pairings, large portions , and unique ingredients. The atmosphere is cozy cottage with tight tables and mismatched dishes on a table covered in craft paper. The scene comfortable but very loud. We were able to talk but that was my one complaint. We had a celebrity sighting in the main dining room that added excitement to a well cooked and very flavorful meal. Service was attentive- water always refilled and plates quickly removed and replace. We had a nice stroll around charming Park Slope and took the subway back to Manhattan. A Saturday night on Labor Day weekend to remember. Yum! read more

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So we've been going to Al di La since they first opened about 27 years ago. Our first dinner was BYOB before they got their liquor license. It is one of my favorite restaurants in NYC. Their malfati is an absolute must - if I were headed to the chair, this is what I would ask the warden for. And the pork saltimbocca never, ever disappoints. If you can't get a table go to their other dining room around the corner and sit at the bar - usually a spot open. read more

If you can get past the fact that bread with butter isn't complimentary (it's $2.50), then all should be good. There is not one thing not to like about this restaurant. Believe the praise when cited in articles--Al Di LA has a following and rightfully so. Been meaning to try it since forever (hello, it has been around since 1998) and accidentally on purpose did just that yesterday. The rustic Italian ambience indoors was cozy and cute but I was just as happy with their outdoor setup. The menu wasn't extensive and don't expect red based sauce faves such as Chicken or Eggplant Parm. Supposedly, this is Northern Italian. We went straight to the mains--my order was the homemade Black Spaghetti with Seafood while the other selection was the Gnocchi. Accompanying my meal was a dry Rose from France and tres magnifique! The pasta arrived soon after our wine and I was blown over by the visual presentation. Homemade black spaghetti integrated with seafood (calamari and octopus) in a chunky light tomato sauce that included ringlets of chili pepper. This offered a nice kick. Only thing was that much of the seafood, particularly the octopus was too undercooked and hard to chew. But overall, I was satisfied with my dish and portion. The Gnocchi was 5 or 6 large pillows stuffed with a sage/kale ricotta filling and excellent. It was not your typical gnocchi you might be familiar with. This dish was also well received. We ended the delicious meal with a Pear cake which was made with warm chocolate and included a generous dollop of fresh whipped cream. Absolutely divine. I enjoyed my experience at Al Di La and have mentally chosen my meal for the next time I visit. Food was excellent, service was attentive and there is no second guessing about whether you'll walk away having had a good meal. Trust me--you will. read more

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My partner has been wanting to try this rustic Park Slope Italian gem for quite some time, so when we knew we were going to be in the neighborhood, we had to go. The interior is cozy with many tables right on top of each other, which is totally fine, but may be tough for larger groups. Service was friendly and efficient too. Food-wise, everything we had was delicious and worth trying at least once (but a little pricey for the portions). We ended up splitting an app (polenta with cuttlefish and oxtail ragu) and two pastas (swish chard & ricotta gnocchi and the paccheri). I'd give each pasta an 8/10, and actually a little more elevated when we mixed some of the ragu with the gnocchi (the blending of both dishes flavors was good). The paccheri was a little too fennel-forward and the gnocchi was a little dry. All was fresh tho! The appetizer had bones in it (probably from oxtail), but they were tiny and unexpected. I don't know if that is normal, but would've been nice for the menu or server to tell us there may be bones or something. Either way not the biggest deal - but want to warn others on what to expect - as it really was delicious and don't want to dissuade anyone from getting it! Overall, we really enjoyed our meal and would go back again (to try some of the other mouthwatering pastas). read more

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Great Italian restaurant! I came with a group of 4 and we had a reservation for 8:30pm. Upon arrival, we were greeted warmly and then promptly seated. Our server explained the menu to us and we first got a bottle of wine to share. After browsing the menu, we ordered quite a variety of dishes. We got the burrata and tripe appetizer, and for the main dishes we got the pappardelle, squid ink pasta, spaghetti vongole, tagliatelle ragu, and chicken entree. All of the pastas were amazing -- cooked al dente, with a flavorful sauce and plenty of additions. I especially liked the squid ink pasta which had an extra unique flavor to it. I would also HIGHLY recommend the trip appetizer--it was super tender and cooked in a delicious sauce. For dessert, we had the chocolate pear cake and sorbet, both of which finished off the meal perfectly. Service was super friendly and the food was delicious! I'd recommend coming here for a great ambiance and nice meal. read more

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First time in this restaurant, Ok service, okay ambiance The order was : Grilled fish which was looking great and looking forward to eat it but it was way very dimmer lighting to see and pick the fish bones out... and felt it's overpriced for its size! Black pasta/octopus was so delicious and the pork was as well tasty and great The farrow salad was decent! read more

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Disclosure of bias: I'm first generation American with an Italian parent, and have lived for a couple years in Italy. With that bias in mind this is the best Italian (as distinct from Italian-American) food I've ever had in NYC. A beautiful mix of straight forward techniques applied to great ingredients that still knows where to get elaborate, where to keep it simple, and how to deliver an authentic Italian meal without feeling reductive or uninspired. Combine this with great service and some very nice flatware designs and I highly recommend giving this restaurant a visit. Acoustics aren't bad but it can feel a bit loud. read more

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We were 10 minutes late for our reservation and they had already canceled it without calling or texting. I thought 10 minutes late was still a respectable time to arrive. They were able to seat us thankfully. The steak was incredible, cooked perfectly and the arugula salad on the side was dressed well. We also loved the baby carrots recommended by the waitress. Neither me or my friend loved our pasta, but perhaps we chose wrong this time because I've loved all the pasta I've had previously. Glad this staple is still around after all these years! read more

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I just love this place- food is always delicious, service is always on point and it has cozy vibes. Neighborhood fave for sure.

Very cute italian restaurant. Lots of cute, old fashioned decorations that give off an authentic vibe. Came in without reservations on a Monday night before the dinner rush. It tended to get busy after we got settled and put in our order. Ordered the farro salad to start. The funky goat cheese was a perfect foil to the sweetness of the roasted squash. Great way to start the meal. The tagliatelle met our expectations. The pasta was cooked perfectly al dente. Not sure what we were thinking when we ordered the hake filet. The fish just wasn't to our liking - felt a little too salty. The vegetables felt a little blah, like they were roasted in olive oil and nothing tremendously special about them. Not a bad dish. Not a great dish. If we were to come back we'd order the farro salad and the tagliatelle again. Would be interested in the other pasta offerings as well. read more

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I would like to start off by saying this review is mostly about the table Infront of us that clearly lacked any couth, class and basic human decency who thought it was ok to continuously stare at my significant other and I as we tried to grab a quick bite after shopping in the area. The table who decided to blatantly and continuously stare at us as if we were a main attraction and to top it off the man in the blue who proceeded to stare my significant other up and down in disgust( full disclosure we are an interracial couple) as we decided to not finish our meal just so we could head home since we were very uncomfortable and annoyed. Decided to catch some pics of them while they weren't looking. As far as the food and service goes- subpar. Food: 2/5 | Service: 2/5 | Atmosphere: read more

Al Di La Trattoria - Rude individuals - Italian Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

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Absolutely loved Al Di La! A little hard to find and directions led us to the wine bar, but no big deal. Walked and and it was a cute cozy italian spot that you could just tell was going to be a great meal. We started with the Steamed Mussels which were divine, I think we both could have drank the white wine sauce. Also ordered the Spring Salad which was super refreshing and had great flavor. (We knew we were indulging so had to get some greens in!) For entrees we split the Pappardelle with Duck which was cooked to perfection and the Saltimbocca Alla Romana. I will say this was a little salty for me but it is pork so that is expected. For dessert we ordered the homeade hazelnut icecream which was SO good. The perfect ending to this meal. read more

Service and ambiance are great here. Seating is a little tight resembling euro style seating, but it didn't really bother us. We also really enjoyed the house made cheese and the pork ragu, some of the other items were a little off but I may visit again someday to try it out again. read more

I'm often dissatisfied with Italian food at trendy Brooklyn restaurants, as I find tastier fresher ingredients in Manhattan and Astoria, however this place NAILS it! Romantic vibes, high quality service, great wine list, and delicious appetizers and entrees (you can't go wrong). Perfect spot for a dinner date. You'll want a reservation. read more

Charming place! Staff was friendly and good service. Foccacia appetizer was amazing, could have eaten the cheese by itself. Very creamy and light. The pasta was so fresh. Only criticism was some of the flavors in the sauces was overly complicated. Too much lemon with the tomato sauce and the mint on the tortelli was overpowering and not necessary. read more

Al Di La Trattoria - Tortelli di piselli - Italian Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

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My brother-in-law has been singing this place's praises since he's lived in Brooklyn. He says he and his partner eat here at least once a week if they can get a table. We had V & G (also mentioned in the Perrine review) coming for the weekend so I booked a table. I was really excited we finally got to eat here. Our waiter was really nice and patient. We were also put in sort of the corner of the table and there were coat hooks behind me so I was able to hang up my jacket and scarf. The ambience is gives off is it's a small restaurant. I can see why it fills up quickly. It's also on the dimmer side as to give that romantic feel. We ordered a bottle of wine and started with the bread & butter. The bread is NOT complementary which is a downside, but the bread was amazing, freshly baked and had a nice crispy crust. We got the appetizers Seppia & Oxtail and the Tripe. Seppia & oxtail is cuttlefish & oxtail together with polenta. That was really delicious. The tripe, I thought it would be like the Asian style tripe, which is crunchy. I think the Asian tripe is a different part of the stomach and/or from a different animal, because this particular dish used the honeycomb style tripe, which is softer and more gelatinous in texture. I was not a fan. Luckily our friends liked it so they ate it. Dish wish we all got something different: V got the rabbit, G got the pork tenderloin, I got the black spaghetti, and my husband got the hangar steak. All of the dishes were really delicious. Pricey, but worth the price. This is a place I'd definitely return to. And I recommend it to everybody to try it. Make sure you have a reservation ahead of time. They do have walk-ins available, but if you really want to be seated and not wait an hour, make a rezzie. PS: I apologize for the darkness of the pictures. Like I mentioned, not a whole lot of light in the restaurant. read more

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Even though I just came back from a Northern Italy trip, the food at @aldilabrooklyn still tasted really amazing! The rabbit texture was between chicken and turkey, and it went so perfectly with the sauce and polenta that I still remember the taste almost a month after having it! read more

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I've been wanting to try Al Di La for a few months now and am so happy I finally made it there! Everything we tried here tasted home cooked in the best way - the stracciatella was my favorite dish. The cheese was fresh and the tomatoes were roasted and bursting with flavor!! Highly recommend trying this. The pasta along with the mushroom and polenta dish were also definitely worth trying. Service was very kind though it was a little busy at the restaurant so things moved a little slower than expected. Al Di La is a great neighborhood spot to try. read more

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Really delicious fresh pasta. Cozy restaurant, great service and ambiance. It is usually full. Reservations is highly recommended. My favorite dish is the pasta with duck and mussels. The homemade bread is crusty and tasty. read more

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I had a very long and late dinner here with many friends and my one friend's parents. It was a beautiful atmosphere inside, very cozy. The serving staff were very very kind and helpful. I felt a bit bad because we stayed slightly after closing. However they were still very nice. The food was wonderful as were the drinks. read more

Al Di La Trattoria - Tagliatelle al Ragu + French 75 - Italian Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

Very disappointing. Been before and it was exquisite. Last evening not so. Mussels appetizer: clearly not fresh mussels. Almost not edible. My husband left several shrivelled up mussels. For the rest of us, apps were ok, not great. My dinner, black ink pasta with octopus...once again, inferior to last time. New chef? Or, just not caring? We won't be returning on our next family visit. "3" is a generous rating! read more

Love this place. It's so intimate, cozy and chic and the food is delicious, authentic (Northern?) Italian. I've been here twice now and each time has been a special experience. The wine list is great, all the pasta is handmade on premises, and I highly recommend anything they have on special. Oh, and get dessert here. Omg the dessert. You'll be full in the best way possible when you leave. read more

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The menu is authentic, many dishes are not typically seen in America. The dining room was bustling last week. A thoroughly enjoyable experience. read more