420193 Wed Jul 11 12:53:38 -0700 2007 10 19 Outer Boroughs 0 2740405 I'm planning to take some out-of-town family to Di Fara's this Thursday or Friday evening. I have no doubt that the pizza will impress, but I'm concerned about getting a table in a timely fashion (read: under 15 min for the 5 of us). I think my family can handle the hour long wait and July temperatures, but not if they're standing up. We can go anytime between 6:30 and closing time at 10:00. Is any time better than another in that window? Sorry if this has been covered before. I did skim the Di Fara threads, but didn't come up with much on times. Lee Miro Wed Jul 11 12:53:38 -0700 2007 111171 Lee Miro 1 2741306 not so bad getting a table...its getting the pizza that takes awhile. apparently its rude but i dont have a problem calling in my order and eating it there when its ready (1 hour later). Wed Jul 11 16:53:36 -0700 2007 2740405 14393 sam1 1 2741503 My question is why would you want to eat inside the place? It's very small and very hot, and that's during the winter so imagine the sweat box you'll be in during the summer. I would get it to go, find some benches under the shade on the Ocean Parkway promenade and enjoy the pie. Let me also just say that my first experience with Di Fara was nothing special. I posted about it awhile ago and asked if I came on a bad day. I went back there about a week ago and my question was answered. It was an off day. The second time was much better. I had a square which had a very well done crust and a very juicy and spicy sauce and great tasting cheese. My compliments to the chef who has earned the right to be a control freak. Wed Jul 11 18:10:40 -0700 2007 2740405 15393 bigmackdaddy 2 2742007 and in case you don't know...he's closed on mondays during july and august. Wed Jul 11 21:31:10 -0700 2007 2741503 13571 redgirl 1 2742282 Since nobody is talking times, I'll add my one data point - my first visit ever was kind of late, 8:30 or 9:00 on a weekday, and the place was comfortably empty - our party of 3 was able to sit at a table and wait for our pizza. Also, if you bring a bottle of wine and some cups your party can sit around and still do something. 5 is a lot for that small space, though - I'd maybe make a backup plan in case you show up and its not happening. Thu Jul 12 04:10:59 -0700 2007 2740405 12628 scooter 1 2743023 Well I guess I posted prematurely - while some of the family is game, others are now saying they aren't up for a Brooklyn trek. But I'll be going in a few weeks regardless and bigmackdaddy, I love your idea of taking the pizza to the promenade. I don't know the area at all, so I wouldn't ever have thought of that. I also didn't know he's closed on summer Mondays or that the place empties out later in the evening, so thank you guys for posting. Sam1, I've only been twice before, but I always suspect the long wait makes the pizza taste better. The first time there I watched at the counter while my friends guarded our seats, and every time he pulled a pizza from the oven that matched my order, I got a little hungrier. But perhaps this wears off after several visits :) Thu Jul 12 09:08:49 -0700 2007 2740405 111171 Lee Miro 1 2743084 we went last night and got a half artichoke, half explant pie. it was extraordinary as always. there weren't that many people there, not sure if it was due to the recent closing or the rain, but we didn't have to wait long at all and we got there at 7:30. almost all of the tables were empty too. i like to eat the pizza there because it tastes the most delicious hot out of the oven and also i love that it's just an ordinary new york pizzaria in appearance. you could always hit the promenade for ice cream after pizza (though that's the standard grimaldi's rec). but difara's. yum. you know, i even loved the half slice i ate cold out of the fridge this morning. Thu Jul 12 09:22:26 -0700 2007 2740405 16422 kazhound 2 2744397 Careful. Bigmack above is not talking about the Brooklyn Heights promenade, with it's view of the East River and the lower Manhattan skyline. That's several long traffic-clogged miles away from DiFara's. What he's talking about is the walkway with shaded benches along Ocean Parkway, which is about 8 blocks west of Difara's. It's the most comfortable place to sit outside in the area, but the only view is of your fellow strollers and the traffic on the Pkwy. Thu Jul 12 14:39:32 -0700 2007 2743084 13481 Woodside Al 3 2747902 ah! apologies. i'm only in the area for pizza! thanks for the correction... Fri Jul 13 15:09:34 -0700 2007 2744397 16422 kazhound 1 2744689 The big crowds may have dissipated. I was there at 3:00 today and it was not packed. I was even able to order a hero (sausage parmasian, BTW their meatball is better). You might consider ordering your pies to go. And walking about 5 blocks to ocean parkway and eating there (tree lined traffic island/pedestrian area with benches). While you wait for the pies buy some Jewish food from the local delis. and on the corner with CIA buy fruit ect at Golan, or "the orchard" (expensive). Thu Jul 12 16:08:39 -0700 2007 2740405 14468 Geo8rge 1 2752050 People have already covered how it's not really a great place for sitting down in a group, but you can always do what I and a group of friends did recently - have an appetizer at Totonno's and then a main course at DiFara's. What I don't see people mention so often is how different the two pies are of these places - Totonno's I thought was really good, but much lighter and much more toned down flavors. DiFara's is heavier, more cheese and oil - and while I like it better - I can see arguments for both I guess. My next Pizza tour is going to be of Sam's, Grimaldi's and Franny's. Not sure all three will fit in one afternoon though! :) Sun Jul 15 15:25:15 -0700 2007 2740405 111782 dark knight