THIS RESTAURANT IS CLOSED Affronti

THIS RESTAURANT IS CLOSED Affronti Restaurant Review:

At the tail end of a shop alleyway, behind peepholes of a riddling rack fence, Affronti feels hidden enough to be a speakeasy. Let the illusion linger inside, where the buzz from patrons feels sophisticated, artsy, in-the-know. A semi-circle bar bridges cocktail lounge with low slung couches and dining room decked in brown leather banquettes, white linens and moody abstract canvases. Bulbs criss-cross an open-air private courtyard with extra seating just outside a wall of windows. The mélange of small plates, priced reasonably, encourages menu-trotting. Kick off with individual nibbles such as tasty deviled eggs and goat cheese-stuffed piquillo peppers plated like gnome hats. Blame the disintegrating flakiness of tartines, for instance the mushroom duxelle and meaty bacon, as a reason not to share. Try memorable duck rillettes with pickled enoki mushrooms and French radishes, terrine of country pâté that balances fat and lean, or soft, grilled warm octopus with marble-size potatoes, frisée and Niçoise olives. The menu’s scant handful of “something bigger” might include garlic shrimp over rice with roasted red peppers and capers or local duck with white beans. Extra draws: live music twice weekly and 30-plus wines by the glass.