Pura Vida

Tapas may be the trend that never ended in Atlanta, but chef-owner Hector Santiago keeps the concept frisky with his ever-changing menu of whimsical, familiar-yet-exotic small plates. Dishes may be as simple as blanched, pencil-thin white asparagus drizzled with chili oil or as intricate as a reworked Cuban sandwich with in-house roasted and smoked meats and homemade pickles.

Weekdays offer couples a mellow spot for date night, though the crowds get more rambunctious on the weekend. It’s probably those precisely muddled mojitos.