"You completely forgot to book a table tonight and now you’re not eating dinner until 9:15pm. Go to Del Rey for a little pre-dinner snack. The moody, dimly lit tapas bar is tucked deep inside the Villa Royale, a quiet, chic boutique hotel on the south side of town. It can get a little crowded (we recommend getting here by 5:30pm for a seat at the bar), but even when full, the place still feels like a hideaway of sorts. Sip on gin and tonics, split small plates like gazpacho and gambas al ajillo, and sit next to one of the most photogenic fireplaces in town—in our books, it’s a perfect way to start the night." - Brant Cox