Al Li Da in Brooklyn

After the work part of the trip was over, I stayed on in New York for a few days with a friend in Brooklyn. She brought me to her favourite Italian restaurant, which is perpetually crowded with queues starting before 6pm. It's owned by a husband-wife pair, where the husband settles the customers and the wife runs the kitchen. Bragging note - My friend's husband spotted Maggie Gyllenhaal, who is also a Brooklyn resident, at this restaurant once.

We had a Barbera to share, at the recommendation of the waitress. It was light but flavourful. Loved every drop of it.

First up - grilled calamari salad. Normally grilled calamari is usually a bit too rare, but this one had bite and charred bits that added to the flavour.

This was oxtail cooked in squid ink sauce served with polenta. I have dreamed of this dish so many times since eating there. If there was one reason to go back to NYC, it would be this.

We had a home-made squid ink pasta with seafood. This was okay.

Hangar steak. Loved it! Tender and tasty. What is it about US beef that seems to taste so much better than Australian beef?
Dessert - pear cake and panna cotta. The panna cotta came in a huge drinking glass. Both were really yummy too.

It's amazing how much joy a good meal with a good friend can bring. I'm very grateful for my life : )

Restaurant details at http://www.aldilatrattoria.com/about.html