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New York Real Estate: Midwood, Brooklyn

By Kristen V. Brown | Special to amNewYork

August 21, 2008

In the Brooklyn neighborhood of Midwood, families with their children fill the Rachel Haber Cohen Playground. (Katya Pronin / August 20, 2008)

-Click here for 16 photos of the Midwood, Brooklyn neighborhood

With its shady streets, deep front porches and elegant two-story Victorians, Midwood is an unexpected suburban outpost halfway between Coney Island and Prospect Park.

Midwood was established by the Dutch in 1652, back when Midwood really was in the "middle of the woods." Though it was annexed by greater New York City in 1898, it was not until 1910 that the area began to thrive with the construction of the Brighton BMT subway line.

Woody Allen, a Midwood native, immortalized his hometown in "Play it Again Sam" and "The Purple Rose of Cairo," but Midwood has been a vital part of the entertainment industry since the turn of the last century. The neighborhood was also home to NBC, with the likes of Bill Cosby, Jerry Lewis and Lucille Ball working at the Avenue M production center.

Today, peace is the main attraction for most Midwood residents. "It's quiet and secluded," said Cheryl Wood, 40, a resident of 13 years. "The peace and tranquility is the best part." Convenience is another big sell for locals, with the Q express train running to `midtown in about 40 minutes.

"Restaurants stay open late and you can find virtually everything you need within a few blocks," said Perilia Gerlitz, 23, a lifelong resident and manager of a boutique on Coney Island Avenue. "There's really a lot to do here."

And while the area suffered a brief decline in the 70s, Midwood is on the rise again thanks to an influx of immigrants from Eastern Europe, India, Pakistan, Haiti and Syria. The Orthodox Jews prevail, so much so that Midwood is a veritable ghost town on the Saturday Sabbath.

"It's very cosmopolitan," said Zev Dickstein, 49, a 20-year resident, "It's just a comfortable place to live.

Find It

Midwood is defined by Avenue H in the north, Avenue P and Kings Highway in the south, Coney Island Avenue in the west and Nostrand Avenue in the east.

To Eat

While much of Midwood's eateries cater to the kosher crowd, there's actually a large variety of fare to be found along Midwood's main drags.

DiFara Pizza
Every New York neighborhood has its pizzeria, and DiFara is Midwood's. Since 1965, owner Dom DeMarco has been delighting locals with pizza pies renowned for their Buffalo mozzarella imported from Caserta, olive oil from Tuscany and tomatoes from Salerno. Not to mention DiFara made Zagat's top 15 last year, knocking New York fave Grimaldi's off the list.
1424 Avenue J
718-258-1367

Sarmish Restaurant
This Russian hangout serves up the most authentic Russian fare in the neighborhood, from eel fillet to lamb testicles and chicken hearts. It's definitely for the adventurous eater.
1156 Coney Island Ave.
718-421-4119