Table for Two: J Benjamin's

I've often passed J Benjamin's with curiosity. I always hear positive reviews, but it's not a flashy place. The night we stopped in, an older gentleman celebrating his birthday had his check picked up by another table, reinforcing the restaurant's reputation as a friendly neighborhood spot.

The service: On a Tuesday night, the small dining room was bustling, and one server and the owner, Simon Goheen, were covering all tables. We didn't have to wait very long to have our order taken, and Goheen, 26, stopped by just to chat. But for some reason we never got a chance to order drinks (maybe our server forgot in the hustle?). We were fine with water and she made up for that oversight by not charging us for dessert, even after we pointed out that the cake wasn't on the tab.

The atmosphere: The décor is a hodgepodge - a tropical fish tank on one wall, a pergola above the bar, and a framed jersey above the big windows along the street - but the atmosphere is that this is a place filled with welcoming regulars. It's fun, not fussy.

The menu: Entrees were priced in the $11-$18 range, with American and Italian dishes like pork de Burgo, scallops, and steak topping off the high end, with pizza and sandwiches on the back of the menu. Their solid selection of moderately prices pasta dishes are what caught our eye.

The food: We started with spicy stuffed mushrooms, filled with cheese, bacon and flecks of jalapeño that were rich and creamy. I ordered the manicotti (half marinara, half alfredo) and my dining partner was swayed towards the "create your own" baked pasta once he realized the entrees come with soup (lobster bisque that night) or a salad (the house dressing was delicious). He ordered his pasta with Italian sausage and red pepper and the kitchen didn't scrimp on the meat. We ended up taking some home so we'd have room for the chocolate cloud cake -light and flavorful and drizzled with caramel - for dessert.

The wrapup: Find quality food in a spot where you'll feel welcomed.