Cena

Nestled among retail spaces and luxury apartments, this unassuming spot is well-loved for its Italian—with an American perspective—food. Minimally dressed with exposed ductwork and mottled cement floors, the space oozes with warmth, thanks to soft lighting. The result is a happy union between neighborhood joint and hipster bar.
The trendy guests are here for the kitchen's bold flavors and novel twists on traditional items. Kick off with an antipasto of fried cauliflower, octopus and gigante beans with salsa rossa. House pastas are a huge draw, and perhaps fittingly so, when you consider satisfyingly chewy chitarra with pistachio and shishito pepper pesto, burrata and lemon zest.
For dessert, a playful, deconstructed take on tiramisu is a favorite.