It all feels very Park Slope at first–those tree-lined streets and perfect brownstones—until you pass through the door of Convivium Osteria. Suddenly, you’ve entered the dining room of a rustic farmhouse somewhere in Italy. Er, make that Spain. No, wait, Portugal. Well, you figure it out: Chef Carlo Pulixi hails from Sardinia, while manager Michelle Pulixi’s family tree branches into Portugal. One thing is for sure, this neighborhood favorite couldn’t be cozier or more inviting. Copper pots and gourds hang from the walls and wine bottles—an intriguing collection of southern European labels—line the bar. Diners get comfortable at the wooden, and sometimes communal, tables that are tucked into every nook and cranny. The whole room glows with candlelight, and you won’t care what country you’re in once you taste the braised artichoke spiked with mint or the Berkshire pork ribs with polenta and Pecorino. The Pulixis have been creating their Pan-Mediterranean menu for nearly 10 years, and all at once the Euro Zone starts to make a lot more sense.

Braised artichoke in olive oil with mint and garlic
Grilled baby octopus with Judión de la Granja beans
House-made tonnarelli with prawns and Gaeta olives
Roasted pine-nut crusted rack of lamb in port wine sauce
Pinehill Farms 48-oz. grilled and oven-roasted rib eye view full menu here

The very cozy two- to four-seater tucked between the bar and the window is a perfect date spot. On a cooler night, opt for the lovely back patio overhung with greenery.

There’s more seating in the wine cellar, which can become a private room when reserved for groups of up to 25. There’s no extra charge, and it’s ideal for the kind of reunion that makes you ask, "Yeah, but where shall we go?"

Mon.–Thurs. 6 PM–11 PM; Fri.–Sat. 5:30 PM–11:30 PM;
Sun. 5 PM–10 PM

$15 (spinach and ricotta gnocchi) to $72 (grilled rib eye for two)