Taverna Sofia (CLOSED)

Menu offerings, prices and food quality lean toward the higher end of the ’hood’s tavernas. Many dishes are irreproachable: taramasalata (a lemony carp roe dip), skordalia (a cool puree of garlic, nuts and lemon juice), roasted lamb and grilled seafood. Cretan specialties like mint-spiked cheese dumplings add intrigue to the romance, as does the selection of ouzo and rakia (“Mediterranean moonshine,” says the owner). A few sips will have you whispering sweet nothings.