'inoteca liquori bar

The Denton brothers, Joe and Jason, have reinvented their upscale, two-star Italian eatery Bar Milano into a juiced-up outpost of their popular—and cheaper—downtown small-plates spot 'inoteca. "It wasn't the right restaurant for the right time," Jason says of their decision to pull the plug on Milano before it felt the strain. "I didn't wanna have the decision made for me with the change in economy." The new 'inoteca, which Jason describes as "a little more rock 'n' roll," retains the same menu as its downtown sibling, plus two new menu sections: spiedini (grilled skewered meats like sausage with broccoli rabe) and primi ("Nonna-style" pastas like spaghettini with olive oil, garlic and chili flakes). Gone are the precious-chic accoutrements (carpeting, banquettes), which have been replaced with hardwood floors and farm tables, along with frugal-friendly prices in the $12-to-$14 range. Also: a full bar featuring $10 cocktails.

See more: Italian restaurants