Di Fara Pizza (Brooklyn, NY)

Domenico DeMarco opened Di Fara Pizza in Brooklyn in 1964 and has been manning the oven ever since, personally crafting your pies to order, sprinkling the basil and drizzling olive oil for that perfect thin crust pizza. He's 74 now and still the only one responsible for your pizzas.

Despite numerous visits to New York over the years, I have yet been to a first rate pizza place. Last year, I finally decided to go to Di Fara, perhaps one of the quintessential New York pizza joints, a 30 minute subway ride from Manhattan. I was joined by Tiny Nancer, who had recently relocated there.

The wait isn't that long to order, but it takes a while for your pizza to be ready, as there's only one man making all of them. It's well worth it, though.

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Your Weekend Guide

Saturday-Sunday, June 11-12
LA Wine Fest
LA Wine Fest returns for its 6th year. On top of tasting hundreds of wines (included with your ticket), restaurants and food trucks, there will be wine and scotch seminars/tastings. Most of them are $20 but Robert Mondavi Wines is hosting a series of FREE seminars and tastings, so be sure to check those out!
Raleigh Studios, 5300 Melrose Ave, Hollywood, CA 90038.

Saturday, June 11
"Exceptional Zinfandel": Zinfandel Tasting Class
Ian Blackburn from Learn About Wine will guide you through California's zinfandels in this workshop, including a big selection of wines from Turley.
3-5pm
Cafe Metropol, 923 E. 3rd St, Los Angeles, CA 90013
$59 advance tickets (2 for $100) or $95 at the door.

Sunday, June 12
Taste of the Nation LA
This mega food/charity event is back, featuring tons of restaurants and more, including a peek at Waylynn Lucas' new Fonuts and Michael Voltaggio's new Ink restaurant, Ray's and Stark Bar, and much much more. There will also be live auction, where you can bid on Voltaggio cooking at your home.
100% of ticket sales supports Share Our Strength’s efforts to end childhood hunger.
1-4pm
Media Park, 9070 Venice Blvd, Culver City, CA
$150 VIP ticket, $125 general admission

City Tavern (Culver City, CA)

The newly opened City Tavern in Culver City may be known for having self-serve taps on the tables, but that is certainly not what they are all about. With more than 20 craft beers on tap, I'm glad they serve taster-size portions. Telegrahp, Lost Abbey, Eagle Rock Brewery, and many more. My friend and I shared tasters along the way, "pairing" them with our food with the help of our knowledgeable waitress.

The dinner started strong with some fresh Carlsbad Luna Oysters with vodka mignonette and fresh horseradish ($15)

Instead of champagne, we had the oysters along with some crisp Julian Hard Cider!

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