Scala's Bistro

UNION SQUARE. Awash in burnished tones and murals, this warm restaurant creates incredible dishes in an open kitchen and also offers a see-and-be-seen atmosphere. Cozy seating makes chatting easy, and the menu is full of affordable options, like grilled octopus, braised lamb shank, pan-roasted monkfish, and steak frites. You'll also find pastas and a few pizzas. Desserts, created by the pastry chef, include pies, sorbets, and a melange of chocolate temptations.