Ammazzacaffè

This quintessential Italian gem on Grand Street is bound to surprise the moment you enter. The large and welcoming space draws you in thanks to an impressive wood bar, sleek dining tables and a handsome penny-tiled floor. Both the tables and light olive-tinged walls are dressed minimally—the former with wild flowers and the latter with beautifully framed photos. The garden outside will transport you to a trattoria in Umbria—on a dime. The well-edited menu spins to the season, but start with sea trout tartare, a dish that has been on the menu since the beginning. Follow it up with a plate of pasta or tuck in to dry-aged duck with sautéed faro and cherry amaro sauce. Tiramisu is a classic send-off.