"This old-school-feeling aperitivo bar in Eagle Rock is tailor-made for a long night of mingling. But as much as vermouth and soda might be the house drink, there’s something particularly lush about getting an espresso martini here. Maybe it's the fact that you can choose between vodka or mezcal. Or the sweet-but-nutty mashup of banana and walnut liqueurs they use. Whatever the reason, you should plop down in a comfy leather booth and order one the next time you want to kickstart an unpredictable Friday night." - brant cox, garrett snyder, nikko duren