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With muted pistachio walls and a candlelit glow, Aloe seems a fitting title for this cozy East Village gem. Mellow décor aside, the name—not a nod to the burn-soothing plant, but an acronym signifying “a little of everything”—reflects the eclectic, seasonal menu crafted by chef-owner Amit Kale. The New Jersey native flaunts his cross-cuisine mastery with dishes like homemade spaghetti scented with lemon truffle oil, slow-braised short ribs, and sesame-studded, sweet-and-sour calamari. A distinctive southern slant (thanks to Kale’s years under the tutelage of Cajun guru Emeril Lagasse) is evident in the blue-cheese beignets, sides of slow-cooked greens, tapioca fritters, and the not-to-be-missed signature dish, an unforgettable upgrade on chicken and waffles: crispy duck breast sliced across lavender waffles and drizzled with sage-infused maple syrup. Just try to find a better spot to soothe your senses. — Lauren Berger

Sweet and sour calamari, $13; crispy duck breast over lavender waffles, $25

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