Fausto

An orange glow, an open hearth, and a back wall lined with portraits of friends and winemakers: Fausto has been Park Slope's celebration restaurant since 2017. It is polished enough for discerning parents and relaxed enough for a weeknight at the bar, and it is engineered to keep your attention on the people you came with.

Pasta is the showstopper — tagliatelle with lamb ragù and saffron, or orecchiette with fennel-braised pork and kale. Start with the rosemary focaccia, the little gem with feta, honey and almonds, and the cauliflower with currants and pine nuts; add a roast chicken if someone insists on a main.