Sneaky Pickle & Bar Brine

"Expect the unexpected at this dual Bywater restaurant, and that goes for its surprising expertise when it comes to pasta. There might be a creamy vegan mac and cheese made with cashew cream and cashew chorizo; gnocchi with blue cheese sauce, beet puree, and candied walnuts; a squid ink pappardelle with spicy Gulf shrimp; or a dish of rice cakes with smoked squash and mapo tofu. However outlandish the combination might read on the menu, it comes together beautifully every time." - Beth D'Addono, Clair Lorell

"Set up in a friendly, romantic location at the corner of Burgundy and Louisa Streets in Bywater, Sneaky Pickle serves lunch and dinner through a separate, nighttime-only version of the restaurant called Bar Brine. Both menus offer several vegan options, with favorites including the tempeh rueben and vegan mac and cheese for lunch, and dinner dishes like tofu lettuce wraps; vegan bucatini with mushrooms; and grilled Romanesco with grits. The nighttime menu is ever-changing and always inventive, and the restaurant serves some of the best cocktails in town." - Eater Staff

"Visit Sneaky Pickle for lunch or Bar Brine for dinner to try playful dishes that convey a deep understanding of technique, flavor, and texture. At Bar Brine, products like hakurei turnips, tilefish, king trumpet mushrooms, and confit goose get special treatment; fresh, delicate pasta dishes combine gnocchi with walnuts and blue cheese; rice cakes pair with smoked squash and mapo tofu; and layered cocktails satisfy cravings for something light and fresh or savory and deep. The cozy, dreamy neighborhood spot, known by some as “the veggie place,” is admired by omnivores, vegetarians, and vegans." - Clair Lorell

"The always impressive Sneaky Pickle + Bar Brine is bidding farewell to 2024 from 5 to 9:30 p.m. with its usual wonderful menu and special bites from the chef. Nibbles like Gulf tuna crudo with chili oil, gnocchi with goat cheese puree, and waygu bavette steak are a few temptations. Lots of vegetarian and vegan options too. Reservations are open. Close to the park for the fireworks." - Beth D'Addono, Clair Lorell

"Sneaky Pickle has been a restaurant perfect for vegans and vegetarians for years. Now, they turn into Bar Brine at night serving cocktails full of housemade cordials and shrubs. They churn out some pretty delicious drinks like the Sneaky Punch with rum, passion fruit, and absinthe or an espresso martini dupe that’s got the Four C’s: chocolate, coffee, coconut, and cognac. You can also have a full meal here with meat and fish options that are just as good as the plant-based stuff (hello, spear-caught snapper crudo and bavette steak)." - Megan Braden-Perry