Address: 38 8th Avenue

Tel: 212-366-6633

You'd think New Yorkers had never seen bruschetta before by the way they're in a tizzy over the seasonally changing lineup of pile-it-on-yourself grilled bread and toppings at this slim West Village wine bar. (For the record, we love the lily confit and octopus iterations.) But this perennially packed spot also has a heart-stopping tagliatelle alla bolognese, juicy grilled quail with fregula, and a stellar wine list to wash it all down (courtesy of co-owner and former Babbo sommelier Joe Campanale). Snag one of the six seats at the kitchen-side counter to watch chef-owner Gabe Thompson and his band of trucker hat–clad cooks (an ironic touch, we hope) do their thing (entrées, $15–$27).