Melrose Bar & Grill

Formerly neighborhood fave Doug Arango’s, Melrose Bar & Grill maintains the space’s friendly service and comfy vibe. Now the color scheme is pale and warm, with creamy leather banquettes, big framed mirrors overtaking the walls and a handsome stone fireplace. A roomy, stone bar offers a nice respite for an after-work drink while chalkboards detailing the day’s specials entice you to stay for dinner. The mission is casual comfort food done well, and they accomplish that with nice thin-crusted pizzas, a Berkshire pork chop, veal porterhouse and affordable steaks. For starters, don’t pass up the pretzel and sausage appetizer. The desserts all connect, so you can’t wrong with the cheesecake or flourless chocolate cake. The area may be crammed with eateries that go after niche diners -- SUR, Fat Fish, Pearl, and Bossa Nova -- but this one fills a void for those who yearned for something stylish, warm and moderately priced.

TIPS: The large community table with high seats by the fireplace seats eight and can be reserved for large parties. They take a limited number of reservations so that they can always accommodate walk-ins, but walk-ins may or may not be seated promptly. The corkage fee is $20 but will be waived if you order one of the bottles off their (huge) wine list. If you’re the surf-while-eating type, they have free wi fi access.