The Local

Young gun chef Chris McKinley might "just want to have fun," but that doesn't mean his menu at The Local should be overlooked. The Roosevelt Row restaurant started off strong earlier this year with lunch, dinner, late-night eats, and brunch -- though they've cut out brunch service for the summer. On the current menu you'll find decadent dishes like McKinley's roasted bone marrow with lamb bacon next to a selection of more refined options such as handmade pastas and compressed watermelon and pork belly salad. The Pig Ear Pad Thai might be our favorite dish so far, with crisp pieces of fried pig ears mixed with spicy peppers and crunchy vegetables. On the cocktail side The Local proves it understands what "craft cocktail" actually means. Think seasonal ingredients, seasonal shurbs, and barrel-aged drinks.