With only a few years on the downtown circuit, this chic charmer is already a bonafide Village sweetheart. Brought to you by the team behind the wildly popular Emporio and Aurora, the interior design of this restaurant features a long and welcoming bar; cozy, wood-lined banquettes; and a vibrant red-and-white mosaic floor.

The kitchen doles out honest, unfussy Italian food rendered with a deft hand and keen attention to ingredients. Squid ink spaghetti is tossed with cubes of roasted swordfish, capers, black olives, a rustic chunky tomato sauce, and garnished with pistachios for a hearty plate. Bookend this with bundino served in a squat mason jar and starring caramel pudding with a cookie base as well as fresh whipped cream and chocolate wafer topping.