Beast

Description
Beast is one letter off from best, which is appropriate: This restaurant would have been great, had we not been subjected to an aloof hostess and a needlessly long wait for a table on an idle Tuesday. Otherwise, the tavernlike spot is excellent. You can toss back quartinos of wine and snack on cayenne-pepper–dusted almonds while you anticipate the bread basket: addictive za’atar-seasoned flatbreads, served hot off the grill. Then take your pick from small plates like lightly charred grilled shrimp, puff-pastry napoleon or moan-inducing short ribs, braised for five hours in Guinness. No matter how tempting the DIY s’mores sound, skip them and try the caramelized baby bananas with homemade pistachio ice cream.