"Alex Raij and Eder Montero are major players the Cobble Hill dining scene, and their Spanish tapas restaurant La Vara is a compelling destination for Moorish and Sephardic fare. The grilled beans, octopus with citrus and olive oil, and Iberico sausage are some standout snacks. Raij and Montero also added the international seafood restaurant Saint Julivert Fisherie to the neighborhood. Don’t skip the specials at either location, especially the springtime gooseneck barnacles." - Robert Sietsema