De Santos (CLOSED)

This Italian eatery—the third in an international chain—may be the city’s least likely new hot spot. Though the menu features a surfeit of dated ingredients (nut-crusted fish, sun-dried tomatoes), the food is surprisingly polished. An unusual starter paired pristine buffalo carpaccio with Gorgonzola-sauced gnocchi, and though that hazelnut-crusted swordfish with sweet corn and snow peas was a bit passé, the vegetables were buttery and the fish beautifully cooked. While you’re not likely to leave the place craving any of this stuff, you’ll probably still end up with an empty plate.