De Blasio Says Di Fara Must Be Saved From $167K Tax Debt

BROOKLYN, NEW YORK — Mayor Bill de Blasio is willing to do anything to save Di Fara from closure after it was seized for failure to pay more than $167,000 in taxes, he said.

"Di Fara is THE best pizza place in New York City," the mayor tweeted Wednesday morning. "It MUST be saved.

The Mayor's response came one day after the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance seized Di Fara Pizza on Avenue J and East 15th Street for its $167,506.75 debt.

The levy, posted on the pizzeria's front door, states that unless a Tax Department warrant is addressed, the title, interest and property within 1424 Avenue J will be sold, according to a photo of the notice posted to Twitter.

Typically, owners can resume ownership once the outstanding tax is paid and the Department of Taxation and Finance is continuing to work with Di Fara's owners, according to spokesperson James Gazzale.

Di Fara, it seems, will also be getting help from the Mayor's office.

"My team and I are looking into how we can help resolve this situation," de Blasio tweeted. "I’m ready to do anything I can to get them reopened — as are thousands of New York City pizza-lovers."

Hizzoner's unexpected vow was met with criticism from several New Yorkers who questioned his priorities and his devotion to pizza.

"It took 15 New Yorkers getting killed on their bicycles for you to promise to do something," wrote Doug Gordon. "Weird what your office considers an emergency."

"Too bad the homeless and the subways and the deteriorating housing projects don't get this much attention from you," tweeted @samantha3050.

Added @potsy9856, "Says the true New Yorker who eats his pizza with a fork and knife."