BROOKLYN

Williamsburg

DiFara Pizza
One of the best, Old Schoolest pizzas in NY. BYOB and cash. Three locations

Lillia
Missy Robbins returns to fantastic Italian cooking. Exceptional appetizers, pasta, and grilled meats. Yum! Her Misi is excellent, too, if simpler.

Miss Favela
I love this Brazilian cafe on 5th, near the Marcy stop. Food is good, typical, but the Sunday music jams are the thing.

Okonomi
A tiny, perfect, ramen shop with about 6 seats. It serves ramen at night, but is especially lovely for its set menus at breakfast and lunch. There are always specials. The food is bright and fresh and interesting. On Ainslie at Lorimer, in Williamsburg. You may have to wait for a table, but it's worth it. No reservations. Visit the sparse, enchanting tea shop upstairs. 

Carroll Gardens

Lucali
Old School pizza place. Cash only and byob. Arrive before 5 pm and go have glass of wine nearby. Be prepared to cue up. They’ll give you a call when they have a table

Frankie’s 457
Delicious (mostly) classic Italian American pasta and other goodies. Really good

La Vara
A busy, warm and welcoming little restaurant showing off the Jewish and Morrish roots of its superb Spanish food. Excellent and well-done, from the deft hand of the chef, Alex Raij and her hubby, Eder Montero.

SUNSET PARK

Strongly Asian. Super deliciousness. No websites

Feu Long Food Court and supermarket
It’s a group of vendors and Shall We Eat is the most popular, with good reason.

Ba Xuyen
Outstanding bahn mi. Super cheap and simple. Be prepared.

Industry City
An interesting waterfront development. I almost went in there with April Bloomfield some years ago. It’s a good wander with lots of food. Sahadi’s, Ends Meat, Yaso Tangbao.

Red Hook

Sunny’s Bar
Kitschy local place that’s lots of fun.

Red Hook Lobster Pound
As it sounds. They barely survived Hurricane Sandy

Dolce Brooklyn
Yummy gelateria. Iced coffee, affogatto

Brooklyn Navy Yard good for a visit