New York · West Village
Via Carota
Insalata verde and svizzerina
The green salad alone is worth the wait. Walk in early, sit at the bar, order the burger.
Neighborhood favorite· Date· With Friends· With Mother
Restaurants
Where we'd actually go.
A short list of restaurants across the US that we love — places that are good for a date, a girls' night, lunch with your mom, or just dinner that doesn't require a month of planning.
City
St. Petersburg here means St. Pete, Florida — your Tampa Bay home base, not the one in Russia. Type "Tampa" and it'll work too.
New York · West Village
Buvette
Croque-monsieur and a glass of Sancerre
A tiny French gastrothèque that feels like Paris before brunch was a verb.
Cozy· Solo· Date· With Mother
Los Angeles · Fairfax
Jon & Vinny's
LA Woman pizza, fusilli with tomato
The Italian-American comfort food everyone in LA texts about. Easy lunch, easier dinner.
Lively· With Friends· Solo· With Mother
Los Angeles · Venice
Gjelina
Roasted vegetables, wood-fired pizza
The Abbot Kinney patio is the move. Order half the vegetable section and a pizza to share.
Patio· Date· With Friends· With Mother
Chicago · Logan Square
Lula Cafe
Farm Dinner Mondays, brunch any day
The Logan Square restaurant that taught Chicago what farm-to-table actually means.
Neighborhood favorite· With Mother· With Friends· Solo
Nashville · Germantown
Henrietta Red
Raw bar and wood-fired flatbreads
An airy, white-tiled room that feels like a calm exhale. The oysters are the move.
Neighborhood favorite· Date· With Mother· With Friends
New Orleans · Warehouse District
Compère Lapin
Curried goat with sweet potato gnocchi
Chef Nina Compton's Caribbean-Creole cooking inside the Old No. 77 Hotel.
Lively· Date· Celebration· With Mother
St. Petersburg, FL · Downtown St. Pete (Tampa Bay)
The Mill
Crispy brussels sprouts, shrimp & grits
Reliable, generous, easy to bring anyone — a true downtown St. Pete go-to.
Lively· With Friends· With Mother· Business
St. Petersburg, FL · Edge District (Tampa Bay)
Olivia
Wood-fired pizzas, handmade pastas
Big, beautiful Italian — the room everyone wants a reservation at on a Friday.
Lively· Date· With Mother· With Friends