Bad Saint
As soon as you walk into the super popular Filipino-influenced Bad Saint, you’ll notice that the music is turned up and the chefs in the tiny open kitchen are sweating hard. Hopefully you got one of four coveted seat at the counter so you can watch it all go down. There are a few not-to-be-missed items: Start with the clams with Chinese sausage and Sichuan chiles. The bitter melon with black bean confit might be the most unappetizing-sounding dish, but it’s the unexpected star. If the ultratender lamb neck is on the menu, keep it all for yourself so you can pick at every last bit of meat from the bone. Now there’s a sauce stain on your shirt, you’re a little buzzed from the flavors and the beer, and you just want to keep eating forever. This is a good feeling.
PRO TIP: Bad Saint opens at 5:30 p.m.; show up a bit before that in order to snag a table. There are several nearby bars (we vote Room 11 or Wonderland) to hang out at if you have to wait.
THE DETAILS: Closed Tuesdays. No reservations. Only parties of four and smaller.
