North Italia

The name means "Italian Farmhouse," but with its high-ceilinged industrial-farmhouse décor and black-and-white gingham napkins, this appealing Sam Fox restaurant looks more American than Italian. But never mind. The bring-the-outdoors-in ambiance is fantastic and nowhere more so than at the indoor-outdoor bar, situated at the front corner and bordered by fruit trees, herbs and veggies growing in metal stock tanks. It's a nice touch — these good green things adding farm-y street cred to an urban restaurant planted on a busy street. Yes, you're in the city, but somehow this cool little corner feels relaxing in the same way an Italian cafe might, where the pace is slow and the people-watching possibilities fantastic.