El Quinto Pino 
401 W. 24th St., 212-206-6900
This tiny tapas restaurant and sister of Tía Pol, a slightly larger spot on Tenth Avenue, has received nothing but raves since its opening (among them, a 2007 review in The New York Times that referred to the sea urchin panini as the "sandwich of the year"). The menu is meticulously curated, offering excellent Spanish wines that match with traditional olives, as well as an adventurous twist on horchata: typically a summer beverage known for its cooling effects, the tiger nut–and–cinnamon drink is spiked with brandy here, making it ideal for warming up in wintry temperatures. Grab a stool at the extended curved marble bar—you'll have to, since there are no tables at El Quinto Pino. With seating this close, conversations with other patrons begin to mix, allowing the flavor of the neighborhood to come out.