The Finch

Hidden away on the ground level of an updated brownstone, the Finch is a romantic New American spot. The airy, open space, which seats 74 and is bisected by an expansive white-marble bar, offers seating areas both bustling (up front and overlooking Greene Street) and intimate (out of sight in the back), with an open kitchen visible behind the bar. Survey the Finch’s thorough wine list while nibbling on the optional sourdough-bread plate, which comes accompanied with radishes, sea salt, honey, and housemade butter. Small plates are small indeed, but balance flavors delicately, like one night’s tender beef tartare accented with salty uni, dappled with magazine-spread-worthy sauce drips. Pasta is well executed, like a must-order squid-ink tagliatelle with shrimp, Brussels sprouts, and lemon; and roast chicken, which was served with a smoked bread pudding. After small portions of all those savory flavors, you may as well treat yourself to dessert — the rich chocolate cake, which one night came topped with a smoky banana mousse, makes for a sweet nightcap on an intimate evening.