DiFara's Pizza

For Tricia's last day in New York, we trekked out to DiFara's Pizza in Midwood, Brooklyn. It's actually pretty easy to get to - one block away from the Q train. But there's not a lot in the area, for example in terms of parks at which to sit and enjoy a slice of pizza. (There is, however, a second pizza place in the neighborhood, right next door to DiFara's. Not as famous though.)

DiFara's is open only for two hours a day, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. This guy makes all the pizza personally by hand:

After he pulls the pizza out of the oven, he grates some fresh parmesan on top, and cuts some fresh basil right on to the pizza.


The first slice was absolutely amazing - a delight to the palate. Wow!

But because we'd made a special trip for it, and because we weren't going to schlep anything home, I had a second slice and a few bites of a third sliver. I don't usually eat more than one piece of pizza at a sitting, and I was sorry I did this time. On second taste, the cheese was too rich, and the crust wasn't quite the way I like it (I like it either thin and crispy or thick and deeply saturated in grease; this was simultaneously light, thick and burned).

So for me, I don't think it's worth the trip. It's a long way for a single slice, especially when there's a lot of very good pizza much nearer my usual stomping grounds.

Afterward, we wanted to celebrate Amanda's birthday. Lo, and behold! Just two doors down we found a combo Dunkin Donuts/Baskin Robbins establishment! Amanda picked out a red velvet ice cream cake, and the guy came out from behind the counter to unlock the padlock that secures the frozen wares. (Does this tell us something about the neighborhood, that they have to use a heavy chain and padlock to prevent looting of birthday cakes??)

None of us had had "red velvet" flavored ice cream before - but it was really good. (Great choice, Amanda!) The scene above shows us in our barbaric state before Wendy had the brilliant and highly civilizing idea of asking the guy for bowls in which to eat the cake. (We had initially made the mistake of asking for plates, and the guy told us - truthfully, I believe - that he didn't have any. It did not occur to him to offer bowls. That requires some creative thinking with a focus on the ultimate goal which, in this case, was to eat cake in a manner that is relatively hygienic and un-messy.)

All in all, a great send-off and birthday celebration.