Mountain

To have the best evening at Mountain, from the people behind Brat, request a table downstairs. Sure, the upstairs is sleek and shiny—all dangling orb lights and a calm open kitchen. And the friendly-but-not-fussy hospitality is faultless. But the moody basement of the Spanish-inspired restaurant is where the party is at. Red lipstick stains are left on expensive wine glasses and Salomons rest on foot rails around the counter. Everything reverberates a little deeper down here, as sound bounces from the huge speaker mounted at the bar around the intimate-feeling space. It’s by no means gritty (exposed pipes are polished within an inch of their life) but it’s more sexy and fun. The food isn’t an afterthought either. While an under-seasoned crab omelette misses the mark, when dishes hit, they really hit. Case in point: sweet raw prawns with oozing fresh stracciatella and honey, tender grilled squid with onion chutney and softened red pepper, and french toast-like torrija and warm custard.

photo credit: Mountain

photo credit: Mountain