Cervo’s

It gets shoulder-to-shoulder at this tiny and mighty popular restaurant, with its vibrant canary-yellow booths, mosaic tiles and cozy wood paneling. Owner Nialls Fallon and Chef Nick Perkins also own the acclaimed Bed-Stuy hot spot, Hart, but here at Cervo’s, they take a crack at the coastal flavors of Spain and Portugal, with an inventive, seafood-centric menu.The staff is welcoming and well-informed on how to pair the brilliant Spanish wine list with the Med-inflected fare, including flaky squid empanadas, plump with inky filling; or savory Serrano ham paired with tender butter beans and Meyer lemon. Don’t miss the mussels escabeche, floating in an irresistible olive oil-drizzled broth, perfect for dragging the house-made sourdough bread through.