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Covering half a block of prime see-and-be-seen territory along Seventh Avenue South, this lounge-like Italian draws a stylishly bohemian crowd for its cheap eats, casual vibe, and habit-inducing desserts. A display case by the modest kitchen in back provides a tantalizing look at decadent incarnations of chocolate mousse, cheesecake, and pastries, many of which are made in-house. The mouthwatering slice of Vesuvius, for example, consists of velvety chocolate and vanilla mousse layers, with walnut bits on top and a thick glaze of bitter chocolate fudge on the outside. The rest of Rafaella's menu, which remains the same no matter which meal you’re here for, covers pizzas thin and tasty enough to meet a Neapolitan inspector's approval, decent pastas, panini and secondi, and spongy, slightly sweet crepes stuffed with grilled chicken and vegetables. It's all served in an atmosphere suited almost as well to reading as to dining: amber-hued, fringed fabric lamps and mix-‘n-match wooden chairs with brocade upholstery outfit the two-room interior; the smaller side space has downtown's requisite exposed brick walls. Outside, two long rows of mosaic tiled tables line the sidewalk, creating an ideal spot for a warm weather brunch and a bout of that storied New York pastime, people-watching. — Kate Appleton

Rafaella pizza, $9.95; Rafaella crepe, $8.95; Vesuvius cake, $6.50