"Even if you’re technically in a relationship, or have sworn off matters of the heart due to an unfortunate incident relating to the use of the word ‘mummy’, everyone should go on a date with Big Jo at some point. This all-day looker knows how to make a mean danish for breakfast, has an impressive candle collection come evening, and understands the ragu-to-pappardelle ratio perfectly. The menu changes daily but there’s always some kind of pasta to spend a little quality time with and if you nab a counter spot by the big windows, you can do some prime Hornsey Road (Finsbury Park) people watching too." - jake missing, heidi lauth beasley