Beast Restaurant   

The SceneThe wrought iron fence encircling this corner restaurant only hints at its slightly goth interior. Renderings of mythical creatures festoon its walls, and heavily tattooed waitresses pick up orders from the open kitchen and chat at the small bar. The clientele, as mixed as the neighborhood, gathers in groups in the spacious back room.The FoodBeast is not a conventional tapas bar. Generous servings are piled on small plates, and eclectic house specialties outshine the traditional Spanish dishes--like the overly eggy tortilla. Try the complimentary flatbread--seasoned with a heavy hand--chewy, charred, and addictive, and breaded and fried Manchego, a clever spin on mozzarella sticks. Ribs braised in Guinness fall off the bone, and luxurious seared scallops pair well with the Italian Fiano, a soft white wine with honeyed fruit flavors. Finish with a rich chocolate pot de creme or, better yet, grilled baby bananas with homemade pistachio ice cream.