Why go: Vintage maps and photos of Hemingway—the place is named for a character in For Whom the Bell Tolls—give the place charm, but it also has substance: The cleverly conceived small plates are of the moment—and wonderful.
What to get: The menu changes daily, but recent winners have been delicate pea shoots with fennel and a tangerine vinaigrette; a Spanish tortilla with goat cheese; an earthy stew of chicken braised with bacon and garlic; seared scallops with maple/balsamic-glazed beets and Meyer lemon; grilled banana bread with vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of toffee.
Best for: Diners as culinarily adventurous as they are fiscally cautious.
Insider tip: Every Tuesday, general manager Adam Bernbach holds “cocktail sessions” during which he creates five offbeat cocktails.