"Bar Brucato is from the people behind Brucato Amaro, the local liqueur brand that’s gained a cult following for their Californian ingredients, like elderberries and yerba santa. But even if you have no idea what a digestif is, the airy second-floor spot is the ideal place to bring a date you want to impress with cocktails and approachable amaro flights. And don’t skip the seasonal dishes, like decadent gnocchetti in a white wine sauce or the puffy charred bread with cacio e pepe butter. If you’re not staying for dinner (though you should), at the very least, start off a night here with the Cheese Pennies, which are essentially grown-up Cheez-Its. photo credit: David Dines" - Julia Chen