Tanti Luce 221 (Bar 221)

Bar menus are almost never as exciting as they should be. “I get a hamburger and fries? Yay,” you say, sarcastically. However, the mad scientists of flavor at Tanti Luce 221 have managed to assemble an almost Avengers-esque grouping of sublime snacks and delectable dishes that will make you want to forget about their stellar cocktail list (almost). You like jalapeño poppers? How about a green chile-infused variation stuffed with goat cheese, breaded, fried and served with a pomegranate molasses? It’s as mind-blowing as it sounds. This single-serving mega-popper is all of the things your average relleno isn’t: delicate, crispy and chile-forward. You like bacon? Of course you like bacon. How about some super bacon? Their roasted pork belly is that trifecta of sweet, salty and savory that should make any pork-lover salivate. Remember that boring burger and fries at that other bar? How about green chile short-rib sliders served with a pile of perfectly crispy shoestring potatoes? When the selection is this good, it’s almost impossible to go wrong. Get in there, sit down, order a drink, and point at a random dish on the bar menu. It’s destined to be good.