Hippo

The name comes from the building’s former life as the Highland Park Post Office, but everything else here is Cal-Ital in spirit. The dining space is convivial and airy, with beamed ceilings and an open kitchen as its focal point. The vibe is as good for dates as it is for groups.

Complimentary bread is rarely as satisfying as their focaccia, with its crispy, salty crust and soft interior. Begin with a sampling of small plates, like hamachi crudo topped with dollops of Meyer lemon relish. Then move on to freshly made pasta, like tender purses of cappellacci filled with sweet corn and dressed in a sauce of butter, mushrooms and thyme. While a meal could end there, you’d be remiss not to order the wood-grilled game or cedar-smoked ocean trout.