It bills itself as a café and wine bar, but you'd be forgiven for mistaking Abigail for more of a coffeehouse on first blush. With an eclectic, neighborhood crowd casually settled amongst a hodgepodge of flea market couches, local artists' work, and red plastic chandeliers—not to mention free wifi—the large, brick-walled space looks like nothing so much as a comfortable place to get your caffeine fix. But like the décor, the menu mashes together some surprising neighbors: Charcuterie and cheese courtesy of Stinky Bklyn; Kobe burgers, sweet corn and shrimp risotto. Tagine—the dish, not the vessel acting as a candlestick on the bar—is a favorite, its traditionally-spiced chicken complemented by golden raisins and apricots. The red wine–braised oxtail, over garlic mashed potatoes with a zesty mix of onions, roasted tomatoes, and olives, is perfectly succulent. The entrées aren't massive, which is good news since you'll want to explore the small plates, like the sweet and spicy South African peppadews, served hot and stuffed with goat cheese, or the impossible-to-resist chorizo and chocolate. And if you still want coffee, Brooklyn's own carbon-neutral Kitten Coffee supplies Abigail with the goods for anything from espresso to iced cappuccino.

Smoked mac and cheese
Prince Edward Island mussels
Peppadews
Red wine–braised oxtail
Bread pudding with chocolate sauce
view full menu here

The marble two-tops lining the wall are pleasant enough, or try to grab one of the few tables outside if the weather is right. To savor your Sandeman Founders Reserve after dinner, ease into a well-worn couch in the corner beyond the bar.

Chef Abigail Hitchcock clearly likes to have her hands in many pots. Her first restaurant, Camaje, in the West Village, is still going strong after 13 years; she also gives culinary tours of New York neighborhoods in combination with the cooking classes she teaches—at Camaje and now at Abigail. If that's not enough, she also hosts Dark Dining events at both locations (the BBE special is not valid for these), where blindfolded guests experience a four-course menu—along with accompanying musical performances—with their remaining four senses.

Mon.–Fri. 10 AM–11 PM; Sat.–Sun. 10:30 AM–12 midnight

$9 (smoked mac ‘n’ cheese) to $19 (cumin-crusted pork tenderloin)