Having taken over the spot where the now-defunct Hosted on the Patio once stood, Portico is the brainchild of Alicia Lin and Sean Lai (owners of Pasarbella's Cicely Kitchen and Le Patio, respectively) and is helmed by chef Leandros Stagogiannis, formerly from The Fat Duck in the UK and local establishments like Saint Pierre.

The intimate restaurant—meant to look like a cozy home with a porch and a garden—serves up creations with Asian touches. Our favorites include the super addictive kombu soba noodles with truffle and crispy brown shrimp ($16), the braised wagyu beef cheek with red wine jus ($27), which comes with a dollop of mashed potatoes that we suspect are made with generous servings of glorious butter), and the intriguing lemon tart with onion (yes, onion) ice cream ($14).

If you prefer the "crash course", you can always opt for the chef's tasting menu (served only at the bar), which comprises a six- to 13-course feast (from $60 to $120) that also features off-the-menu specials.