Frasca

Frasca celebrates the cuisine of Friuli in the very northeast corner of Italy, bordering Austria and Slovenia. Since its inception, the owners have championed local farmers and put an emphasis on the finest, freshest ingredients--long before many chefs adopted that practice. Some of Frasca's menu items are sourced directly from Friuli, including Sirk Vinegar of La Subida, prosciutto from San Daniele, montasio cheese (a staple in Friuli) and all of the winter chicories, including radicchio, tardivo and castelfranco. Frasca is not an everyday restaurant; however, its Monday dinners happily make it more than a once-a-year, special-event outing. It's also a place where, if you arrive early enough (as in when it opens), you can snag a seat at the compact bar and enjoy a glass of wine and appetizers for a happy hour that's fabulously elevated.