Piattini

Piattini makes good use of its Newbury Street address, with two dining rooms and two patios that give you a choice between eating inside and watching the sidewalk traffic. The Italian menu includes small plates, pizza and full-size pasta dishes, so you can build dinner around a few shared starters or settle into a bowl of fusilli Bolognese.

The crispy eggplant with smoked mozzarella has been on the menu since 2001. Other options include spinach gnocchi with pesto, lobster ravioli and fig-and-prosciutto pizza. Lunch adds panini and wraps, including an eggplant sandwich on focaccia. Wine, cocktails and mocktails round out the drinks list. There’s also a private room for celebrations, while the regular dining rooms work for a lunch break or an evening when you want to stay awhile.