Cafe Castagna   

More than just a breezy spin-off, Cafe Castagna is a sleek, modern bistro that functions as an easygoing alternative to its upscale, full-service sibling restaurant next door. With casual fare, seasonal desserts and a decent wine list, this is a great place to meet friends for drinks and starters. Tables typically fill quickly on weekends with hip urban couples and groups, yet there's rarely a wait. Bring a sweater even if you plan to sit indoors -- the wide-open dining area's concrete floors, cool wall tints and zinc-accented furnishings give the place a chilly feel. But the bistro's natural conviviality warms things up, as does its menu of simple foods with unadulterated flavors. Selections include grilled burgers; chickpea, chard and chorizo soup; baked penne with three cheeses; tarragon-infused roasted chicken; grilled salmon and a simple but flavor-packed pesto pizza. Small plate highlights include polenta, sauteed spinach and crisp, grease-free French fries. Other taste treats include "arancini," deep-fried risotto cakes with a filigree of melted fontina cheese; thinly sliced prosciutto with fresh arugula and pecorino Romano cheese; and six oysters steeped in a sauce of champagne vinegar, shallots and pepper. Salads run from the simple to the sublime -- basic frisee; a tasty though smallish chopped Caesar; crunchy endive mixed with apples, walnuts and blue cheese; and watercress with beets and ricotta. The wine list isn't huge, but there's a nice selection of French bottles. For dessert, try brownies, ice cream or seasonal desserts like rhubarb crisp and sorbet. -- Jo Ostgarden