Companion

Part natural wine bar, part restaurant, Companion is the stylish all-day hangout spot that Venice never knew it needed. Run by neighborhood residents Nick and Dakota Monica, the narrow, well-designed space serves pastries daily and sandwiches on housemade focaccia bread (the latter only 11am–3pm, Wed–Sun) before switching to a tightly curated Cal-Italian menu during dinner hours. In the evening, Quarter Sheets alum Jack Goode serves impeccable pizzas made with crispy, New Haven-inspired dough, plus seasonal delights like Caesar-style romano beans and olive oil cake topped with blackberry-peach compote. A well-heeled locals’ crowd and the lure of vinyl spinning after nightfall make Companion a total scene (pejorative), but I’ll hold my nose for Goode’s delicious, painstakingly sourced cuisine. For locals, Companion also offers its crispy, thin crust pizzas for delivery—I particularly recommend the Klaus (Pead & Barnetts spicy pork sausage, red onions and sweet hot peppers).