Profile

An uptown, family-run joint (from the owners of Emilou's Cafe across the street), Jesse's Place is the type of place where you'll likely end up in conversation with a stranger whether you’d like to or not. A patio strung with Christmas-tree lights year-round suggests romance-on-a-budget, while inside the wood-paneled grill and bar, meringue, reggaeton, and salsa inspire spontaneous dancing among the local Latinos, post-work suits, and even the grizzled regulars. Friday is karaoke night and a rowdy one at that; Martini Mondays are marginally more civilized with drinks running a reasonable $7 a piece. — Amos Barshad