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DiFara

The past few times I've been by -- during the afternoon on the weekend -- there's been no line, which didn't surprise me, given the number of seriously more delicious things to eat in that part of town. As J. Fudge suggests, it's easier to like Artichoke for what it is without a line.

The regular slices are fine, not superlative, but nothing will ever induce me to eat the artichoke slice again -- gross!

Let's see what I can remember without my handy map card that they give you:

1) Sopressata (spicy and sweet) from Faicco's and provolone from Murray's both eaten in Murray's tasting room (both straightforward and yummy of course);

2) Greens sandwich as mentioned above -- a little bland in my opinion. Trillin said sometimes they are spicier. Also the non-descript bun is not a big winner in my book;

3) Potato pizza and zucchini pizza (at different times) from Grandaisy -- delicious as always. I actually prefer the zucchini but they are both great.

4) Tortilla Despana from from Despana. Awesome.

5) Mozzarella from DiPalo's -- I don't usually go there -- living in Brooklyn and having closer options, but the mozz was sublimely rich and a little salty, which I like;

6) Summer rolls (NOT banh mi) from Banh Mi Something don't remember the exact name. In little Italy, I'll look it up at home. Very fresh and flavorful. Someone on the walk said it was the basil that made them so good;

7) Roast pork banh mi from Banh Mi Saigon. The bread makes this sandwich. There was a choice between mild and spicy; I had spicy and liked it very much, although it was ridiculously filling.

8) A fried dumpling from that 5 for a dollar fried dumpling place in Chinatown (not the one that raised its prices to 5 for $1.25 but the other one). The best this dumpling has going for it is that it is very cheap. I would never seek it out otherwise. Name anyone? I can look it up at home.

9) A cold rolled rice noodle with dried shrimp from ?? Coffee Shop in Chinatown. It tasted very fishy too me, and the texture wasn't very nice. Again, i'd say the best thing about this is that it is a classic cheap eat, but I wouldn't hurry back.

10) Dim sum at 88 Palace. Everyone was stuffed, and I have a very hazy memory of this part. I didn't think it was anything as good as the outer borough dim sums I've had of late, but I haven't done a Manhattan dim sum in some time, and I was too full to fully appreciate -- the vegetable dumpling was good though.

I think that's all. I'll be back later with the missing names and any stops I've missed.

Wow, Adam. Thank you so much. I feel like you really took one for the team, eating a lot of meh pizza so the rest of us don't have to. I moved to Park Slope two years ago, and have never found a slice that I loved. I stopped trying pretty quickly after a few bad 7th avenue experiences, especially after I started eating pies from places like Anthony's, Amorina and when uncrowded, Franny's. But I'm stopping at Tomato and Basil on my way home -- sometimes what you really want is a NY slice, and not a locally grown whatever.

I have always wanted to love Sam's, for all the wonderful ambience that you describe. However, both times I went there I found the sauce distractingly sweet, with too much of it to make it overlookable.

These were both a few years ago, though, so perhaps things have changed.