LaLou

"Natural wine is not unlike abstract art. Everyone has an opinion on it, even if they have no idea what it is. But whether you have thoughts on how minimal-intervention winemaking fosters a true expression of terroir, or you have the urge to slap anyone who says the word terroir out loud, you’ll enjoy LaLou. The long bar and private backyard are nice places to hang out for hours, which is exactly what you should do while enjoying a few rotating small plates, like chicken liver mousse and endive salad with a friend." - bryan kim, hannah albertine, nikko duren, willa moore

"Vanderbilt Avenue in Prospect Heights has an inordinate amount of great places to eat: Olmsted, Oxalis, Faun, Chuko, Maison Yaki, and more. But of all of the spots on this stretch just north of Prospect Park, LaLou is the best place for a low-key wine-and-snacks meal. The long wine list is mostly made up of natural wines, with a big selection of varietals from famous regions in France and Italy, as well some options from lesser-known regions. " - neha talreja, bryan kim, willa moore, molly fitzpatrick

"LaLou remains a stellar spot for sampling of-the-moment wines by the bottle and glass. The list from owner Joe Campanale —who also owns Park Slope’s Fausto and just wrote a book on Italian wine — and partner Dave Foss leans European, with representation from Spain, Italy, France, and a few options from the United States." - Eater Staff

"Meet for a drink in the backyard at LaLou, and if you make it past initial pleasantries without ranking your top 10 black-and-white horror films, move to a table inside for dinner. Or, if things don’t go quite so well, say goodbye to your date, pretend to walk home, then return to the bar for a dinner by yourself. Either way, ask the friendly staff for recommendations from the natural wine list." - team infatuation

"Lalou suits a range of first-date needs. The Prospect Heights natural wine bar has a casual patio where you can try something orange or something spirit-forward in a martini glass, plus a more formal dining room where you can have a full-on dinner. And while nothing says “let’s take this slow” like the tiny plate of olives from their snack menu, you could also go for something more substantial like roast chicken. Another huge plus? They take reservations." - will hartman, bryan kim, willa moore, neha talreja