Ciao Amore

Walk down East Gate and you'll find yourself in a spot that takes its Italian food seriously without the pretension. The kitchen clearly knows the difference between what tourists expect and what Italians actually eat—you'll get honest pasta dishes, risottos that aren't gloopy, and mains that feel like someone's nonna had input on the recipe. The room itself is warm and unfussy, the kind of place where you can linger over a bottle without feeling rushed or like you're part of some theatrical dinner experience. Service here tends to be genuinely attentive rather than hovering, which makes a real difference when you're settling in for the evening.