Owned by Chase Sinzer, who pours the wine, and Chef Joshua Pinsky, who mans the stoves, Claud is a sleek and stylish place a few steps below street level. Inside, it's whitewashed brick meets dark charcoal tiled floors complete with snug seating and an open kitchen at the back. A shared plates style informs the menu, and the cooking is ingredient-focused and values substance over style. Begin with the red shrimp, which arrive sizzling with garlic and olive oil. Main dishes, like the pork chop with smoked onion jus and a classic roasted chicken, are hearty and especially satisfying. Complete your meal with a decadent six-layer Devil's food cake that says it's "for two" but we won't blame you if you eat the whole thing yourself. 
Reservations are often a challenge, but the bar is always a good option.