The Place (CLOSED)

On a summer evening, a table on the sidewalk terrace of this endearing little West Village restaurant is a perfect place to be. A tiny bar up front lures locals and neighborhood strollers for a glass of wine and small plates like char-grilled calamari and tiger shrimp with fresh mango salsa. Couples gravitate toward the candlelit back room with low wooden beams and stone walls for more serious dining, which can include delicately pan roasted cod with jersey corn, asparagus, and sugar-snap peas in a saffron beurre blanc, or fresh papparadelle with braised duck and baby artichokes. No one minds if you linger over the flaky apple tart topped with cool cinnamon ice cream.