"It’s taken you four months, approximately 38 manipulative compliments, and one fictional promotion to get everyone to agree to dinner at Circolo Popolare. Now you’ve got a cute little two hour wait on your hands and you’re refusing to let everyone get so trashed that they miss dinner. You should wait it out at Riding House Café. This smart brasserie is pretty much perfect for any occasion, including a last-minute table, a decent coffee, and nibbling on some grilled sweet potato and burrata. In case everyone starts comparing notes on your questionable dinner-planning tactics, they’ve also got plenty of cocktails on offer." - heidi lauth beasley