Vesper Lounge

In the fall of 2012, five-time James Beard semi-finalist Frank Bonanno took over one of the town’s most notorious watering holes: the Lancer Lounge, located right between Mizuna, the flagship of Bonanno Concepts, and the current location of Lou’s; Luca D’Italia is around the corner, too. Here, there’s no fuss over housemade bitters, no two-hour waits, no specially chipped ice. There are, however, reasonably priced drinks and some very good snacks with a Middle Eastern flavor. Not to mention good company: This may not be the Lancer, but it’s definitely a solid neighborhood bar.