Barra Santos

Sometimes the pre-party ends up being more fun than the actual party, which might be the best way to describe a meal at Barra Santos. This narrow, brick-walled Portuguese spot in Cypress Park from the Found Oyster people is somewhere between a bar and a restaurant, making it a perfect destination for a glass of sherry and some salty snacks, though maybe not a full-on meal. While the menu here is fairly short, we’re happy to report everything on it is flat-out delicious: bright, lemony tuna crudo, shaved Iberico ham, garlicky prawns dusted with chili flakes. You’ll also find a few more substantial plates, like a confit chicken leg in vinegary piri-piri sauce or a juicy pork sandwich on ciabatta, but nothing heavy enough to kill your appetite before dinner. Barra Santos only takes walk-ins, so plan on showing up early if you want to grab a seat at the dark-wood counter where bartenders pour chilled wines and chat up customers—we can’t think of a better place to start your night.