Spuntino

Set in the Highlands, a neighborhood first populated by Italian immigrants in the 19th century, husband-and-wife-owned Spuntino straddles that fine line between neighborhood staple and special place for celebrations. It's warm, welcoming and refined, with a menu inspired by Italy and the essential Italian philosophy that food should be fresh and local. Co-owner and pastry chef Yasmin Lozada-Hissom is a five-time James Beard Foundation semifinalist, making this a place where saving room for dessert is a must. Choices include warm apricot cream tart, Amadei chocolate sea salt caramel tart and a warm almond coconut macaroon, along with gelato, of course. But leaving room isn't easy. Chef John Broening's creations are rich and varied--housemade rabbit rillettes; sweet corn and goat cheese bruschetta; flank steak with cipollini, crispy mushrooms, potato torta and salsa di vino rosso; and quail with house-made chorizo, stone fruit vinaigrette and fragola, among others.