Tom Colicchio’s casual spinoff of his highly acclaimed Craft restaurant is a destination in its own right. The menu consists of a range of small dishes that include
fried oysters with Old Bay aioli, and white anchovy bruschetta with braised leeks and a poached egg.

James is nestled in the Prospect Heights neighborhood on the corner of St. Marks and Carlton Avenue, tucked inside a century-old brownstone.

This homey, brick-walled Italian spot is bigger than it seems—walk past the long, wine-bottle-lined bar up front and you’ll find a cluster of tables in the back, with happy couples sipping glasses of wine and noshing on elegantly prepared, seasonal food like butternut squash soup and house-made gnocchi with fresh ricotta.