Jo's

Stop in for an old-school cocktail at this hip NoLIta bistro's white marble bar. Or retreat to its convivial 40-seat dining room with brick walls, booths and banquettes. The menu is user-friendly, divided into small plates, entrées and pastas (in full or half-portions), such as garganelli with a blend of four cheeses, caramelized mushrooms and bacon lardoons—the ultimate mac and cheese. There are things you see everywhere (oysters, charcuterie, cheese, fried calamari, rib eye) and things you don't see anywhere else (10-hour honey-glazed pork shank with cockles, English peas and bok choy). The emphasis is on affordable.