"Chef and restaurateur Jose Dionicio’s Ika Ramen moved from the outskirts of Benson to the neighborhood’s heart and added a slate of new dishes to its menu of ramen, small bites, sushi, and shared plates, including a rotating list of creative bowls. A past special: a mashup of butternut squash soup and fried chicken ramen. Dionicio also partnered with bartender Alex Diimig, an alum of V. Mertz who also helped open the city’s first Tiki lounge, on a basement spot, Kaitei. It’s focused on sake, cocktails, and Japanese spirits. Both places are tiny, so expect a wait. To find Kaitei, look for the blue door inside the restaurant; there’s also an alley entrance." - Sarah Baker Hansen