"Jody Williams, chef-owner of the French bistro-inspired Buvette, and her partner Rita Sodi, who helms the kitchen at nearby Italian joint I Sodi, first came together in life, and then in work, at Via Carota. They opened this vegetable-driven Italian-accented café in 2014, and it rapidly became a neighborhood classic. Be sure to try the cacio e pepe. The duo has just expanded their empire by opening the all-day café, Bar Pisellino, directly across the street: modeled after Roman bars, it’s a coffee joint by day before morphing into a spot for an aperitivo after dark. None of these places take reservations, so get there early and prepare to wait." - Mark Ellwood