Fodor's Expert Review Alden & Harlow

This boisterous subterranean restaurant with a 30-seat bar and industrial-chic design specializes in rustic, seasonal snacks and small plates layered with flavor. Start with an expertly made cocktail and perhaps some chips and three-onion dip before sharing little dishes like clams with smoked pig's tail; smoked carrots with feta cream; crisp pork belly hunks over warm grits; and the Ubiquitous Kale Salad, which rivals all others with its creamy pistachio dressing. Desserts won't stop the world, but brunch will make you pause; should you order the torched avocado toast with crab and a poached egg or the sausage and potato skillet with gooey cheddar and garlic crumbs? Ponder your options over a seasonal sparkler and a tender cinnamon roll. For those who want a quieter spot for a tête-à-tête or easy conversing, ask for a table in the Greenhouse, a small space to the right of the entrance with a foliage-filled wall.