The buzz: After underoing renovations, the homey French restaurant is back with Chef Masashi Horiuchi (who has worked at Michelin-starred establishments before) at the helm. They're still putting out the same rustic food, but with more finesse.   

The vibe: A tavern-like eatery with a heavy wood bar and heavy wooden tables, a faux fireplace and bronze deer head mounted on the wall, the establishment feels cozy and convivial—just like a countryside inn.

The food: The menu’s all about traditional and homey French standards including a charcuterie board ($35) with foie gras, pate en croute and pork rillette; steak tartar ($18/100g); and rotisserie rack of lamb ($43) with the usuals like baby potatoes and gravy. But the real star of the menu is the crispy skin suckling pig ($35), which you can see cooking on the rotisserie in their open-kitchen. Desserts are likewise classics with all sorts of tarts like the raspberry clafoutis ($12).

The drinks: To go along with the meal, the wine list has a variety of by-the-glass options (from $17), as well as a range of affordable Australian bottles (from $80) and premium French labels. Although the infused rum collection has whittled a little, they've made it a point to incorporate them as granita-style palate cleansers so expect flavors like hibiscus rum and earl grey rum. 

Why you’ll be back: If you live nearby, this is a solid unintimidating spot for a quality drink and gourmet but rustic French dishes.

Eat this at Shelter in the Woods: Suckling pig. It's one of I-S Magazine's 50 things to eat before you die (2013).