Northern Italian dishes with a modern twist are prominent in this sleek eatery. Set in a neighborhood heavy with Italian restaurants, it features textured terra cotta walls, warm gold paint, and glowing sconces — an inviting, cozy space in which to eat and imbibe. Departing from the "same old-same old" Italian fare, the menu includes welcome surprises. Creamy herbed polenta with mushrooms and sausage is a melt-in-your-mouth starter, while risotto with chicken and grilled asparagus and braised osso buco with orange gremolata are near-perfect main courses.
Fresh ingredients--that's the hallmark of this restaurant. The chef's philosophy is to use simply, seasonal, fresh ingredients in his creations. American noveau dishes are offered in a welcoming atmosphere that's perfect for a whole meal or simply ordering appetizers and drinks after work.
Owned by the same folks who run the popular Tony's restaurant next door, this downtown bar does a booming business at lunch time and after work. Great drinks stand alongside a menu that includes burgers, salads, pasta dishes, sandwiches and appetizers. A casual, yet decidedly who's who atmosphere pervades the space.
Enjoy something out-of-the-ordinary at this upbeat Brazilian joint. Warm wood floors and plenty of exposed brickwork make for a pleasant atmosphere, even when things get a bit loud. Appetizers like broiled French bread topped with parmesan, blue cheese, and onion cream (torradinhas leme) or fried yucca root wedges presage equally unusual entrees: seafood stew in spiced coconut cream broth, shredded chicken in four-cheese cream and raisin sauce, and portabella mushrooms stuffed with cashews in a balsamic reduction. Vegetarians are elated by the quality of meat-free options. Save room for something sweet — champagne cookies layered with chocolate and custard await.
If you're in the mood for Italian but want to avoid the glut of restaurants on The Hill, try this wallet-friendly Midtown spot. A comfortable, wood-floored interior welcomes customers who clamor for Vito's delicious, hand-tossed pizzas. Created with dough that's made fresh daily, pies come topped with ingredients from the standard to the sublime: among them, mushrooms, roasted eggplant, fresh basil, feta cheese, shrimp, buffalo mozzarella, and pine nuts. Try your pizza with pesto for a change of pace.
This ambitious eatery makes its home in a renovated Victorian wire factory, creating a hip, fresh vibe that perfectly complements flavor-heavy New American eats. Appetizers like fried calamari in roasted pine nut vinaigrette, and scallop and white fish ceviche prep your palate for entrees, which include grilled flank steak with pepper-bacon cream cheese, jerk chicken with andouille au gratin potatoes, and gnocchi steamed in tomato garlic broth, to name but a few. Look into the adjacent, well-stocked market and coffee shop while you wait.
When you tire of what often passes for Mexican food — pools of refried beans and cheese — head to this adventuresome, authentic Mexican eatery. Ask for a seat on the patio to escape the often-crowded dining room, and then savor dishes like richly textured potato quesadillas, homemade tamales, and escabeche (marinated fish served cold). The restaurant's innovative approach to food draws a varied crowd, from professional thirty-somethings to young couples with grandparents and kids in tow.
In spite of a slightly crowded dining room, hungry patrons flock to this cozy Vietnamese restaurant, more than willing to wait for delicacies like muc xao khom (calamari with pineapple chunks, tomatoes, and onions) and banh xeo (pan-seared rice flour crepe stuffed with pork, shrimp, and bean sprouts). Although names on the menu may be unfamiliar, there really is something for every taste: myriad soups; beef, chicken, and rice dishes; seafood; noodle dishes; vegetarian plates; and even lau thap cam — specialty campfire pots.
Achieving that rare, successful balance between elegance and comfort, LoRusso's attracts couples looking for a romantic night out and families who come to enjoy the spacious dining area. Authentic, flavorful entrees from the cucina are inspired by the owner's grandmother's cooking. Veal saltimbocca, chicken Teresa (breaded breast meat with broccoli, cheese, and white wine sauce), and linguine in tomato and lobster sauce are a few favorites. Interesting vegetarian dishes like butternut ravioli and eggplant lasagna promise flavor without meat.
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast in a casual environment decorated with rattan and interesting memorabilia. There is lots of seating indoors, and outdoor seating under green market umbrellas is also an option. The extensive menu at this popular restaurant-delicatessen features such specialty breakfasts as lox platters, Idaho trout, and corned beef hash, along with blintzes, croissants, French toast and omelets.