One of the best values in New York
Al Di La is one of the best restaurants in NYC, has excellent service, and would cost four times as much if it were in Manhattan. You can beat the crowds by showing up early.
Recommended: Malfatti, anything
Food: 10
Service: 10
Ambiance: 6
Overall: 8
- Park Slope, Brooklyn

No Reservations?
Arrived at 7:15 to find that a table wouldn't be available till 9:30-No reservations are accepted but the lady in front of me left her cell number with the proprietor so he would call her when it was ready. He had a book of names and cell numbers of people in front of me "waiting for a table". Having enjoyed the food on an earlier visit was the cause of the return trip but no reservations accepted does not truly mean first come first served anymore. The bottom line if your not from the neighborhood is don't bother making the trip unless you want to eat at another fine restaurant.
Service: 2
Overall: 2

Wonderful and original
The only bad thing about Al Di La is that the wait can be long. But you can spend your time at the bar across the street...and it's well worth the wait. The atmosphere is elegant electic, crafted around a huge glass chandelier from Murano (near Venice). The food is authentic Venetian and is not found on other New York menus. The Malfatti Pasta (means "badly formed") and Casumziei (Beet Raviolis) are wonderful. Emiliano is from Venice and his wife (the chef) have one of the finest restaurants in Brooklyn..no, in New York.
Recommended: Malfatti, Casumziei, Pork Saltimboca
Food: 10
Service: 8
Ambiance: 10
Overall: 8

Excellent Food
I've never been to an Italian restaurant like this before. No red sauce, and exciting dishes like the malfatti. Everything is delicious and the decor is romantic. Worth the wait and the close quarters.
Recommended: beat ravioli, any dessert
Food: 10
Service: 10
Ambiance: 10
Overall: 10

One of NYC 10 best
The most exactingly consistent restaurant I know...Anna Klinger is an excellent chef...amazing considering she has an infant. The quality ingredients are not ever masked. I have dined here many times and have introduced a number of friends to the restaurant with only one less than glowing reaction.
Recommended: calves liver w. sauteed onions in balsamic reduction and polenta. clams vongole....the entire menu and specials. the wine list, especially the reds.
Service: 8
Ambiance: 10
Overall: 10

Yummy!
It's the food that's great, not the cramped atmosphere. No reservations, always a wait because it's so good.
Recommended: beet ravioli
Food: 10
Service: 8
Ambiance: 6
Overall: 6

Worth going to Brooklyn
The wallpaper's beautiful, the artwork eclectic -- and that's true of the food as well. Consistantly good since it opened, pleasing staff, and excellent wine selection at a variety of prices.
Recommended: Favorites: the malfatti, airy swisschard dumplings with browned butter; the beet ravioli; the rabbit with black olives; and just about any special.
Food: 10
Service: 8
Ambiance: 10
Overall: 8

I'll take Cucina
Al di La is overpriced, there's always a long wait, and there aren't very many vegetarian selections. In addition, they are a terrible neighbor, spilling their mop water out their side-entrance door, right next to an apartment building.
Recommended: Nada
Food: 2
Service: 2
Ambiance: 2
Overall: 2