"Rucola, a little corner Italian restaurant in Boerum Hill, is the definition of cozy. The vibe is peak Brownstone Brooklyn: rustic wood everything, warm candlelight, wraparound windows that overlook the tree-lined street. The house-made pastas, prepared with a creative mix of vegetables, are a must: garganelli with a blend of tomatoes, peppers, squash, and raw milk Salva Cremasco cheese, say, or snail-shell-shaped lumache bathed in corn crema with shrimp, scallions, and chili. The roast chicken and whole roasted trout are standout entreés, and the salads are hearty and satisfying. This is where you bring someone you're trying to impress without tipping them off to that fact." - Andrea Whittle