New York City is not just known for Times Square, the Empire State Building, and the Statue of Liberty, it is also known for having great cuisines of all kinds. Brooklyn has a large Italian population and you can get some of the best Italian food in the city and even the entire country! I started off by going to a local eatery in Gravsend Brooklyn called L and B Spumoni Gardens located at 2725 86th Street just north of Coney Island. 
It will take some subway time on the D or N trains, but it's well worth it. Hey! If you're coming from Coney Island and you're hungry, GO TO THIS PLACE! But if you have $2.25 in your wallet, don't refill your metrocard!!! (You will regret it if you do), instead spend it on a "Square" slice because that's how much it costs at L and B. Just walk from Coney Island it's not that difficult of a walk. At least you'll get some exercise.
This place serves several typical Italian classics, but there is one item that gives everything else on the menu a run for their money; "The Square." Their signature Sicilian pizza slice. That slice is worth coming down to Brooklyn for. It's crunchy on the outside and nice and chewy on the inside. And for those of you who like A LOT of tomato sauce on your slice, this is the place to be yo. Lines can be long, but they move quickly. Also, go on a day when it's not supposed to rain, since the area where they serve the pizza is outdoors. There is a small tent covering a small portion of the outdoor eating area, but it's not effective. The rain water will still seep in and you wouldn't want rainwater all over your delicious precious square! (Happened to me once when I was there and it wasn't cool) So this is a great bang for the buck and is very tasty.
There's an Italian Market that I like very much called D. Coluccio and Sons located at 1214 60th Street in Bensonhurst. 
You can take the N train to Fort Hamilton Parkway (It's right on the way to Spumoni Gardens) They have several different types of tomatos, Italian snacks, olives and DRY pastas, no fresh:( The thing that really turned me on about this place was their giant jars of Nutella. There was one that was about the size of a computer screen selling for $68! I thought it was European Nutella but apparently it was Canadian. European Nutella in my opinion tastes so much better than "the other stuff." When I was in France, I had Nutella and Banana Crepes and those were just off the charts amazing! When you're in this store, make sure you get some Tarallini crackers. They're really good and you probably won't find them anywhere else but here and over in Italy. 
So if your heading out to Brooklyn, check out these places and you won't be disappointed! (More about places to eat and things to do in Brooklyn in future posts)