" Verdict: Even if you only popped into this moody Italian spot in Melrose Hill for a glass of nebbiolo and burrata cornbread at the bar, it might be the highlight of your week (assuming that scratcher you bought at 7-Eleven wasn’t a winner). If you’re sitting down for a full meal—which we strongly endorse—get the rigatoni that tastes like French onion soup, the juicy pork ribeye dusted in fennel pollen, or the well-seared NY strip that could hold its own at the best steakhouses. How To Get In: Ètra opens bookings a month in advance, but you’ll still have to act fairly quickly. Primetime dinner slots disappear several days ahead, and even with its heated garden patio, the restaurant isn’t very big. The good news is Ètra always saves a portion of seats for walk-ins—drop in before 6pm and you might get lucky." - Nikko Duren, Brant Cox
