manteca

manteca applies a nose-to-tail approach to Italian cooking, with its own salumi and pasta made in-house visible from an open kitchen and counter seating that reviewers say creates an intimate feel despite the restaurant's larger footprint. Opinions are somewhat split — some diners find the experience underwhelming relative to expectations, while others come away with more mixed but generally positive feelings about the food and setting.

At 4.4 stars and expensive pricing, it's a reasonable choice for Italian cooking with a distinctive nose-to-tail angle, suited to a casual-but-considered dinner or lunch for couples or small groups. It's worth trying with moderate rather than sky-high expectations.